Feet First Walking

 

We decided to do a walk that took in the 'other side' of the Hambleden valley, and couldn't resist the signs to Rotten Row!

The Chiltern Way was followed past the cricket pitch and up into North Cot Wood.

 

 

Once out of the woods, we walked across fields, along Shakepeare's Way.

 

Rotten Row is a small hamlet based around a farm, with a duck pond on a green.

 

We turned off the lane from Rotten Row and followed a long a tree-lined driveway, with a broad grass verge and orchards.

 

 

Cowslip (Primula veris).

 

Another flint roundhouse. The only other one I have seen is on the opposite side of the valley.

 

The route through the wood, leading to Pheasant's Hill.

 

Glimpses of the valley through the trees.

 

I can't recall the last time I saw water in this stream! The Hamble Brook is an especially rare type of chalk stream that only flows periodically -- a winterbourne. Sometimes dry along its entire length, it is currently benefitting from high groundwater. Unfortunately this rare phenomenon had an impact on me being able to get a pint at the end of the walk.

 

Up and into Great Wood where we began our encounter with the Tough Mudders.

 

Large parts of the wood and surrounding area had been taken over by exercise and endurance stations, although on such a warm, dry day I didn't see much evidence of mud.

 

The flint and chalk church, St Mary the Virgin, dates back to the 12th century.

 

I couldn't hide my disappointment when we were told at The Stag and Huntsman they had no draught beers. This was due to a flooded cellars, caused by the Hamble Brook (note earlier picture, where I said I hadn't seen it with water for a long time). So we went to the Frog at Skirmett, which also serves Rebellion Ales, only to find it had closed down earlier in the year! So we drove on to the Chequers at Fingest and had a drink.