Category: Walking Group

14 members met at the normal car park to drive to  the start of the walk at Witney where 6 other members were waiting for us.  It was a gorgeous morning with the sun shining. The route was just over 3 miles and easy walking.  The terrain was mostly on lanes, tarmac roads, and fields (we were warned that a bull might be in one field), thankfully there were no cattle at all on the route.

We crossed one or two stiles which were quite low, several dog walkers were seen, our normal fly past took place, and plenty of chattering and laughter.  The trees still had plenty of colourful leaves as did some gardens, the paths were a carpet of yellow and brown. Unfortunately, there was not a café in sight.   Thank you once again to the car drivers.  Pam

4 miles

On a very misty and drizzling morning 10 members gathered at the normal car park to travel to Coleshill. 3 cars made their way to the National Trust Coleshill Estate carpark . The route we were following today was the Red Walk; this is one of five walks round the Estate which are all advertised as easy. From past experience I knew the walk would be wet and muddy.  We left the car park, crossed the road and entered the park via a cattle grid to a well-defined grass track and then onto a concrete path.  This took us through Waterloo Copse and past Waterloo Lodge.  From here we followed the hedge lines, some were beneath 5 towering wind turbines.  At Ashen Copse Farm the terrain became concrete and then it was soon back to the fields passing by Flanborough Woods and the circle was completed by walking across Coleshill Park.  Although it was muddy and wet underfoot it was an enjoyable walk.  Arriving back at our cars, 4 travelled back to Carterton and 6 of us went for a coffee at the Radnor Arms.  Our next long walk is on 20th November, route tbd.  Thank you to the car drivers.  Pam

It was the most beautiful morning for our walk.  15 members made their way to Asthall for the start of the walk. We took what we thought as being the easiest route only to get held up by road works in several places. As we were parking our cars a young lady came and spoke to us and asked which way we were walking as there was a herd of cattle heading towards us. Fortunately, we were going in the opposite direction.  The walk was mainly over fields with a wonderful vista over the Windrush Valley, very peaceful and colourful. We didn’t get our fly past but we did a walk past of a helicopter.  It was a very sociable walk with plenty of chatter.  Unfortunately, there wasn’t anywhere suitable for coffee but this didn’t seem a problem as several were pleased to be going home to sit in their gardens.  Thank you to the car drivers.

Our next short walk is on 13th November, walk to be decided.  Pam

5 Miles

It was a lovey morning when 14 of us set off for Winchcombe Station.  Mike had kindly offered to be one of the drivers to Winchcombe and then, wouldn’t walk, but would drive to Toddington and wait to take the car drivers to retrieve their cars at the finish of the walk.  It was a walk where we were able to use 3  different facilities and to purchase refreshments, if wished. The walk was gently undulating over, tracks, fields lanes, and quiet roads, some of which were near to the railway line.  Unfortunately, there was a mystery /scenic route for about ¾ mile in the middle of the walk, but we eventually we found where we should have been. We stopped at Hayles Fruit Farm where some bought refreshments others ate their own lunches. Several bought freshly picked fruits from the farm shop.  Suitably refreshed we continued the walk past Hailes Abbey, which is steeped in history and worth a visit.  It has its own museum and headphones are supplied when you visit.  After a  short road walk we  followed a track into  Didbrook, with its bright red telephone box,  a small green with seats placed round the trunk of a very large tree.  Continuing on the road for 200 yards and then climbing a stile, we were entered a field next to the railway line.  There were bridges to cross, cattle grazing in the fields, and sweetcorn crops that had grown very tall.  Next came a ridge-and-furrow field from the days of medieval strip farming; the ridges are the result of generations of ploughing from the centre outwards, using oxen. Three more stiles to cross and we were at Toddington Station.  Mike was waiting to take the car drivers to pick up their cars, the remainder had another coffee and slice of cake.

An enjoyable walk on a lovely day with good company.  Thank you to the car drivers especially  to Mike for doing all the “ferrying”.  Pam

18 member left Carterton at 8am.  When we arrived at Bampton, 7 more members were waiting for us.  It was a blustery, warm morning, ideal for walking.  The beginning of the walk was through an avenue of trees on the side of the recreation field; into a small wooded area with 2 more avenues of trees. It was so beautiful and peaceful; it will be a picture when the leaves turn colour.  We came out into the open and crossed two fields.  We emerged onto a lane and then  a quiet road passing RAF Bampton Castle and Weald.  The next part of the walk took us on a lane, passing through some houses and a field with Shetland ponies in.  Then we followed a pathway back to the main road and to where our cars were parked. After changing our boots we drove the short distance to the Bampton Plant Centre where we had breakfast.  Although everything was pre-ordered it was a little chaotic until we were served our food, which was very nice.  Unfortunately, one of our cars had its windscreen smashed which took the edge off a very pleasant morning.  Thank you to the car  drivers.  Our next short walk will be circular from Asthall on 9th October. Pam

Only 6 members for this walk, 2 cars used.  Thank you Richard, for driving.

This beautiful walk led us from the picturesque village of Snowshill  with its celebrated Manor House; followed by part of the Cotswold Way along the escarpment and the site of the Shenberrow iron age hill fort; over hilltops, down valleys and through shaded woodlands. This was a slightly more challenging walk than we had done for some time but we were rewarded by the most splendid views over the countryside.  The ascent of the scarp was over gentle gradients. We stopped to eat our lunch at the top of the scarp and admire the panoramic views.  After lunch it was all downhill back to our cars at Snowshill.

We saw 3 groups of horse riders, apparently from stables near to Snowshill.

Thank you to those that walked.  Out next long walk, will hopefully, be from Winchcombe to Toddington, 5 miles.

Pam

19 members met at the normal car park in Carterton ready to drive to Thrupp.  We welcomed Freddie to our group and then made our way to the start of the walk.  Arriving at Kidlington we met Angela taking our number to 20.  Starting at Annie’s Tea Room,  passing to the right of  two thatched cottages, under the railway bridge and through the gate to the woods. Entering the woods, we took the  left hand path which followed the river until we reached an open field.  There are many paths going through the woods, one which has a lovely avenue of trees. We followed the path close to a hedge to White Bridge.  If we had crossed the bridge we would have gone on the walk via Hampton Poyle, but as this walk has many stiles we turned right and followed the path to St Mary’s Church at Kidlington. The route took us for a few yards on the road round the back of the church to a gateway that led us into a field with very ripe crops waiting to be harvested.  The pathway continued through several similar fields, these were also very stony. Eventually we came to the canal by The Jolly Boatman, we were able to get onto the towpath which took us back to Annie’s tea rooms.  Earlier we had let them know that we would be going back for refreshments.  The garden room was opened up for us to sit in, some sat outside but the wasps were very troublesome.  We did see the bridge lift to let a narrow boat through.  There wasn’t any wild life but there were a lot of walkers with their dogs.  A very pleasant morning.  Thank you to the car drivers.  Our next short walk will be on the 11th September, this will be a breakfast walk; leaving Carterton at 8am for Bampton, walking first and then breakfast at Bampton Plant Centre.  Pam

Walk on 17^thJuly 2018 – S1 bus to Eynsham, Walk the Thames Footpath to Oxford and return via the S1 Bus

This walk was 5 miles according to the finger post where we joined the Thames Footpath.

There were 18 of us in total, some catching the bus in Carterton, Witney and Iain and Ann meeting us at Eynsham. We welcomed Alan and Magdalen to our group. Thankfully the weather was a few degrees cooler to what it had been over the recent weeks, making it comfortable to walk in.  There were are large number of boats on the river, mainly narrow boats.  Lunch was taken sitting on the banks of the river overlooking Port Meadow.  Two horses stood in the water and (at first) if was extremely difficult to know if they were real.  They stood without moving the whole time we were eating lunch.  As people passed them they stood and looked in amazement. Eventually one moved its head and so did the other, then just continued standing there.  A swan, ducks and one duckling came very close to us.  A herd of cows walked down and into the river; and a heron was walking opposite us on the river’s edge.

Taking the path just beyond Swinford Bridge (the Toll Bridge) at Eynsham we came to the Thames Footpath which we were to follow.  Passing Eynsham Lock we were soon on a wide path which led us to a point where Wytham Great Wood descended steeply to meet the river. Next came King’s Lock and once past this we continued onwards until we walked under the Oxford by-pass bridge. Here we passed an  iron boundary marker with the ox of Oxford on top and continued to Godstow.  A minor road crossing came next and this lead us into a field where the remains of Godstow Abbey is. The wide path led us to us to Godstow Lock and then continued on with vast open grazing of Port Meadow across the river.  Passing Bossom’s Boat yard we came to Medley Bridge which we crossed and continued on the other side of the river.  A causeway lead us over a footbridge, past the backs of cottages and gardens until we came to the road at Osney Bridge.  Crossing the road was a  bus stop where we were able to catch the S1 back to Carterton.

Thank you all for your company.  This was a very social and relaxing walk with lots to keep us interested as we walked and chattered.  Pam

Our next long walk is on Tuesday 21st August at Snowshill.

The morning was slightly cooler to what it had been over the past few weeks.  18 members gathered to drive to Fairford.  Arriving in Fairford we parked in the car park near to the Church. The walk was advertised as 2.25miles  starting at the lake.  However, we added another mile on to the walk by walking from the car park.

For the first 200 yards we walked on the pavements passing Fairford Mill which has been there since the Medieval times and has a mention in the Domesday Book.  The current owners of the Mill are the Ernest Cook Trust.

A number of ducks were swimming in the River Coln together with a swan and her cygnets.  Several members spotted a large trout swimming in the water.

Just past the Mill we crossed the road and stepped over a stone stile into a meadow.  We crossed the meadow and came out onto the road which runs through Fairford.  A footpath took us along the side of some houses and playing fields and past Dilly’s Bridge which crosses over the River Coln.  The bridge has a sign on it which reads: “In Memory of Dilys, a much-loved Golden Retriever who spent 14 happy years in and around this stretch of the river Coln”.

We passed between several buildings before coming to the driveway of Horcott Farm.    The driveway took us to the main road, which we crossed, onto a gravel track.  After about 400 metres we came to the entrance of the lakes, 2 smaller ones and one larger.  There are numerous footpaths around and between the lakes.  It was such a lovely morning and with the sun and clouds reflecting on the water , swans dotted all over the lake made it very picturesque.  After walking the circle, we re-traced our steps to Dilly’s bridge and then took a pathway for a short distance, which led into Fairford town centre, and a café called the Coffee Post;  well worth a visit.  After refreshments we made the journey back to Carterton.  Fairford was getting ready for the Tattoo which is to take this coming weekend.  There were quite a few jet aeroplanes flying overhead, adding more interest to our morning. Thank you to the car drivers. 

Our next short walk will be on 14th August walking from Carterton to Hazel and Jane’s at Black Bourton. Pam