Friday, July 30, 2010

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Rambling - December 2009 Report

Sunday 13 December, rain at noon and showers at 4:30. Not ideal rambling weather one might think, but SURPRISE! It was dry in between and twelve of us had a lovely walk in the low sun of the (almost) Winter Solstice. We started up Church Lane to reach Fieldside and then east to the footpath just beyond Captain's Cottage. This comes out at Blewbury Road with only a short walk to our next footpath that runs diagonally (north-east) to the bridleway that runs through Fulscot. A great surprise: the diagonal path, which used to be totally obscured by blackberry bushes, has now been completely cleared and even properly fenced from the old dairy.

We went through Fulscot Farm and emerged on the footpath that lies beside the road to South Moreton. Our first stop was at the South Moreton church to admire the ancient yew tree which looks much healthier, now, thanks to some judicious pruning. Again we turned east to reach the long-gone mill wheel (which used to sit astride Mill Brook) and then south on a short, ill-marked path leading to an east-west bridleway which we followed westwards. This bridleway eventually crosses another that leads through the Aston Upthorpe Stables. After the stables, we crossed the Hagbourne Road and made our way up Blewburton Hill. With the sun almost setting, the views were quite magical.

We descended from the hill to the bridleway which leads through Winterbrook Farm. After crossing the B4016 we continued into Blewbury on Bessels Lea Road and made our way to the footpath that runs beside the old BSW and thence to Parsonage Lane in East Hagbourne and on to Main Road. Paul's GPS said 7.5 miles in 2-hours, 40-minutes. We'd been dry the entire way. Only as we were taking our leave at Upper Cross did the showers return. All hastily made their way home!

By the time you read this, hopefully you will have joined us for our usual, informal ramble at 1:30 on New Years Day. Our next 'normal' ramble will be on 10 January 2010. See you then!

Next Ramble
Sunday, January 10th
1.30 p.m.
John Jones: 813326
Meet at the East Hagbourne Upper Cross