Tuesday, January 6, 2009

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Rambling - July 2008 Report

Cool, dry, sunny weather and 16 walkers. What a combination. We headed towards Fulscot Farm via Fieldside and other paths to strike out north-east from our village to reach the Fulscot bridleway. We walked through Fulscot Farm (complete with Bull in Field sign – lots of cows but no bull) and emerged on the footpath that parallels the road to South Moreton. This footpath is currently overgrown with the most aggressive seed-bearing grasses you can imagine. The right-of-way turns north on a bridleway and so did we. It runs north and a little west to cross the A4130 at Hadden Hill, runs beside the golf course and finally terminates on top of Down Hill. We stopped for a break and to admire the town spread out below us. As it turns out, at this time of year, the town is almost entirely hidden by trees!

At this point there is a footpath that runs east-west between Little Wittenham and Ladygrove Farm. We chose the westerly direction towards the farm which meant taking our collective lives in our hands as we tried to cross the B4016. Once in the farm there are no way markers. Careful map work, a compass and familiarity help a lot especially as there is a crop planted right across the right-of-way!

We used Hopkins Bridge to re-cross the A4130 and enter the Ladygrove Estate. In spite of what it may have looked like, we really knew where we were going as we passed the local ‘lakes’ and eventually made our way to the underpass that emerges where the Didcot-Southampton rail line used to intersect the mainline. From there it was a short walk to the Linear Park (now part of Sustrans bike route #44) and that brought us back into East Hagbourne at the old allotments. Shoe lane provided the route to Main Road and our destination, Upper Cross.

A little over seven-miles in three-hours. Very leisurely and much enjoyed. Don’t miss the August walk from the usual starting point.

Next Ramble
Sunday, August 10th
2:00 p.m.
Phone John Jones: 813326
Meet at the East Hagbourne Upper Cross