North Wootton Xmas Party walk
Friday 9th December – North Wootton
Walk Leaders: Patsy & John C
This is a lovely 4.4mile flat walk with attractive trees and pleasant countryside. From the village hall we go out through the Church yard and over the foot bridge beside the ford & head out along Chessell Lane picking up a track beside Meadow Farm which we follow through to Redlake Farm. STICKS were very useful along this muddy track, as they were on a slippery cattle track, a little later. Looking at the map there are a lot of blue lines in the area – streams – and we walk alongside them, crossing them when necessary – good balance is an asset. Despite the mud we encountered, our boots were reasonable clean on the return – long, wet grass and then a lane. Fortunately, the mudometer prize has already been decided – otherwise we may have been awarded it for this year.
Report
Walking the wonky plank!
What a way to precede our delicious Christmas lunch at North Wootton Village hall!
Yes, it was a very frosty morning but the sun shone and actually warmed our backs and faces. The clear blue sky gave a crisp outline of the surrounding hills and silhouetted the trees. The way was flat and half a dozen stiles were easily managed. We walked along streams, fields, tree lined tracks and country lanes. Our coffee stop was in an open field in the sunshine and a surprise mincemeat slice from Patsy, whose birthday it was, was enjoyed by all. We all sang Happy Birthday!
The only challenge was walking the plank with a stile at both ends. We had been warned and most were glad of the advice to bring poles as the 2 worn, moss covered planks were at an angle to each other with a gap between them. With Patsy’s encouragement, our intrepid leader, we all stepped forward in faith and in a few steps were over! Our 4.4 mile walk was completed by 17 hikers who were sped on with the thought of mulled wine, canapes and lunch! A lovely walk, worth repeating - if only to dare to walk the plank again. Report by Audrey