Geocaches - 5
Walk Inspiration - Time Out Country Walks
The first walk from Time Out Country Walks book is a boster but the chance of refreshment is cruelly curtailed by a state of the nation symptom.
I am going to like this book a lot. It offers 52 Walks within easy reach of London. For the socially minded walker, it even shows which weekend and which train you should catch to meet up with like minded ramblers. If I wasn't coming down from the Midlands via car, I should have been doing this on 3/01/15 to make new friends.
I don't need to worry, I have Sonia with me today. I optimistically told her it was an 8 miler and have a plan of fighting off any weariness with cake.
We park up at the Station and head through the impressive town to pick up the river.
Over the River to Head North |
Henleys Version of an Infinity Pool |
Fawley Court |
Right from the start of the walk we can see Temple Island. To keep Sonia's spirits up, I ask her what is called, telling her that everything she needs to give me an answer can be seen in front of her.
We stop playing when she answers "Goose Island" |
Crossing the Lock |
250 Metres of Walkway |
At its spectacular best |
Having navigated the lock we enter the grounds of Hambleden Estate to walk to the village, under the watchful gaze of the red kites that dominate the area.
The village is special. You can tell by the amount of tourists hanging around the tea shop/cafe. Its been four miles and too early for the pub, so we sit on the bench outside the church to eat freshly purchased Eccles Cakes and drink Ribena.
Hambleden's Church - My only Photo |
I should have used the camera more.
Full of vim from our North Western snacks, we climb uphill through Great Wood on impressive tracks, with the occasional fine view through gaps in the trees
Great Wood - Does what it says on the Tin |
Views. The Black Blobs are Kites |
Conversation turns to lunch and I know from the guidebook that the Walnut Tree in Fawley is coming up. I see the sign and my heart sinks.
Another Sad Victim of the Declining Pub Trade |
I have to say that Sonia takes this unexpected setback rather well.
It must be the promise of the 5 quick caches in Henley Park - a deer park - with the Oxfordshire Way running through the centre of it.
Just Sheep Today |
The Oxfordshire Way delivers us back into town, which is teeming with people. There is little chance of getting quick service in any of the fine looking riverside pubs - but I have a plan.
My research has shown that Number 4 in the top 10 list of Oxfordshire pubs is just a short distance out of town.
Unassuming from the Outside |
Perfect in the Beer Garden |
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