Noting that my basic GPS unit seems to count 5-10% less distant than my dad's new-fangled pocket-PC, so it could be approaching ten miles.
Another walk with Walking for Wellbeing, the weather was simply stunning with clear blue skies and a good cool breeze to keep our temperatures in check.
We walked out of Adstock and through the field where we stroked sheep a fortnight ago. This time there were tens of sheep and juvenile lambs around and we didn't get any lanolin action, so we headed over the road and back through two fields we already knew, being surprised by a heron not ten metres away near the bridge. The rest of the walk would be new terrain, and we traversed long grass to the peak of a hill before skirting the verge of a crop field to come to a bound gate and no footpath markers to guide us. A tractor started at the nearby farm and headed toward us, kindly stopping to show us our way: across more long grass to a footbridge.
We stopped at the bridge to watch the wildlife - banded demoiselle, a small brown/green damselfly which was harassed incessantly by the former, and mayflies among other bugs and insects. We carried on to Claydon Hill through a field of alpacas, where we stopped to watch one bathing in a dust pit. I remember Rory McGrath saying that these animals are a cross between a sheep and a goose, which will stay with me forever.
A further plod over the railway track and, whoops! Back over again to follow the footpath in the right direction toward Rookery Farm, distracted momentarily by a skylark hovering in a field and chirruping away. We found some shade where we stopped for a nice long chat, disturbed once by a pack of sweaty slobbery labradors.
Onward across a few fields to the Claydon House estate which is simply beautiful. We took the liberty of wandering down to the lake for quiche, celery and good old ready-salted hula hoops while the fish flashed their orange fins and the crows stealthily collected feed pellets discarded by fishermen. Soon, we walked back past the lovely old house and through a few fields to Middle Claydon via a couple of squirrels. Around the bend and across the graveyard to a long, straight path across to East Claydon via a fox, then up to Verney Junction. Along the road past the pub then right back over the old railway - correctly this time - and across a couple of fields for another short break.
As the sun dipped in the sky we walked back up past Addington to join the path we'd come out on. Walking back through the field of formerly friendly sheep we spotted one adult female trotting towards us for attention, swiftly followed by three or four lambs who's ears I tickled. I really enjoyed this walk thanks to the company, the weather, the wildlife and the beautiful countryside in this area. I hope to exploit more paths around here in the future.
It's interesting to note that I only have two small blisters from this walk, my feet only ache slightly and my calves are only a little tense. I may contact physiotherapy for some attention on my right calf or hamstring because even after short walks that feels tighter than the left side and doesn't go away for a couple of days.
