Mon, 2013 Jul 8 9:16 AM British Summer Time
With Barry and Gordon. Another hot and sunny walk, after early mist. Pleasant breeze. Uphill to begin, then undulating - good views. Dry underfoot. 8 miles, and 589 feet of climbing.
The mist is in evidence when we set off from Ashley, just opposite the George pub. We walk along the road past a couple of houses, through a gate, and then take the footpath which leads directly uphill along the side of a field of cows.
At the top end of this field are two footpath signs - the most obvious is a stile straight ahead. We ignore this and take the path through a gate to the left. This is a bridleway, and goes diagonally downhill, then crosses a brook, and joins Brig Lane. The track goes uphill for a while, and after almost a mile arrives at the road on the edge of Wilbarston. We turn right towards Stoke Albany.
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In this wall are traces of former archways and windows. It bears the date 1684. |
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St Botolph's church, Stoke Albany |
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Although we've not walked three miles yet, the bench opposite the church tempts us to take an early snack break.
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OK, not quite flying |
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Brampton Ash spire in the distance |
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lamp post leaning |
At this point we have to go through what looks like a tunnel of vegetation in the corner of a copse. It's not quite the obstacle that it looks.
The next field has a clear path through the ripening barley
It leads up to a private burial ground, with railings and a seat with a lovely view.
At this point we stray slightly from our route - basically turning the wrong way when we meet the Macmillan Way. Luckily we soon realise and put ourselves straight, heading for the six-way signpost on the ridge.
We follow the sign towards Ashley, through a field of wheat, then have a choice of two routes. The right hand one looks more user-friendly, though we have to walk through very high grass towards the end.
It isn't long before we emerge into Ashley, cross a road and take the path opposite, which eventually comes out at the road we started from.
From here, it is a short walk to the car.
Map and details
1 comment:
Lovely Poppies Alison.
Perhaps you need to take machetes for some of that jungle.{:))
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