One of the joys of travelling as much as we do is that you have a constantly changing view from the caravan window. It also means we are privileged to see some fantastic sunsets and yesterday evening’s was a stunner.
We rarely carry a TV on our travels (we hardly watch one at home), but this time it was one of the first items packed. The reason being the Olympics are on and Lynnie, as an avid follower will be spending much of this trip following events unfold in Rio. It means she will need some persuading to join the dogs and I walking for a few days.
Today’s main walk is one I have done a number of times during previous stays here, but like any walk you do once, or twice, a year there is always something new to see or a change in the scenery somewhere along the way.
I leave the site at Cholsey Grange CL by walking down the farm track to skirt a fenced field and then turn right to join a footpath that enters Penley Wood where I turn right. The route is very straightforward it is a case of keeping on the main path as it follows along the bottom of the valley through Twigside Bottom.
There are options to leave the path on the left and the right but I ignore these and carry on as the path leaves the trees. It does not look as if will be too long before a combine is harvesting the crops here.
Shortly before reaching a road I turn right to follow the path uphill.
On reaching a stile I cross and turn right to follow the road for a few yards before crossing and going through a kissing gate to enter the downs above Turville. I am besides Cobstone Mill (which I have written about in previous blogs). It always strikes me as a pity that such a cracking building is not more accessible, but I recognise that as it sits on private land it is the owner’s prerogative to seek privacy.
From the downs there are great views over Turville and the surrounding valley.
I follow a southwesterly route diagonally across the downs, gradually descending to go through a kissing gate and then carrying on downhill to reach a junction of paths. I go slightly right to go through a gate into woods and follow this as it gradually climbs up hill to reach another kissing gate.
I follow the fence line up hill and then along the top of a field. Since I was last here a new section of fencing has been erected and repairs done to the path. I ignore a path on the right and continue to the end of the field here I turn right and then very soon after left to follow the path through beech woodland.
On reaching the road I turn right and walk uphill, following the road as it sweeps right around a bend. Shortly before a road junction I take a footpath on the left, crossing a stile into a field which we cross to enter woods and follow the path that eventually climbs to reach a road by Hellcorner Farm. Here I turn right and follow the lane past Ibstone Cricket Ground and then down the drive to Cholsey Grange Farm.
The walk has been just short of six miles, we have gone at a good pace and it has been thoroughly enjoyable. Back at the Coachman Lynnie is worn out, she has been cheering on Olympians all day and there are still many hours of watching to do this evening and into the night!
14th August 2016
[To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 171 – Chiltern Hills West]
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2016)
Looks beautiful. Thank you for posting. We will give it a go on our late October stay weather allowing.
Fiona, I am sure that you will enjoy Cholsey Grange, you can be assured of a friendly welcome, fantastic views and great walking.
Thanks Fred, We had a brief visit last year when I was helping out at a local Cairn fun day. Beautiful surroundings and I have been wanting to return to enjoy some walks.