Monday 17 October 2011

6 miles

G and I decided we should all try and get out for a walk on Sunday. The weather was looking good and so we thought we should try and make the most of it.
Leaflets were consulted, train times worked out and a picnic packed up.
We took the train to Shawford to do the circular walk that starts and ends here, it's part of a series of walks along the Itchen Navigation Trail. It said allow 3 hours for the 6 mile walk and some of it was a bit steep. We kept those details to ourselves when T and S asked where we were going!


The first thing that caught my eye after we left the station were these tiles outside a beauty salon, so of course the camera came out to a chorus of 'what photos ALREADY????!!!!'





Within a few hundred metres we had seen a deer in some one's back garden, a family of swans and this goose who was desperately trying to eat this apple as it bobbed along next to it.





It kept whacking it with it's beak and so it would sink and the goose turned upside down to find it. It amused us anyway.





These were the kind of views we enjoyed along the way to our left





and then to our right, chatting as we went and snacking on some oatmeal and raisin biscuits I had baked and were actually edible and enjoyed by all.






One of the reasons we chose this walk was it took you (or so we were led to believe) under an old viaduct. But unfortunately the directions at this point were a bit sketchy and we managed to miss it! We did spy it in the not too far distance though.



Halfway round the way we stopped at St Cross hospital





and had our picnic sat opposite these almhouses.





Hospital is used in the same sense as 'hospitality' and in centuries gone by they provided food and shelter to the poor. Clicking on the link will give you more information about this medevial building and it's history.





After leaving here the steep bit kicked in. It wasn't very picturesque for this part of the walk either and a bit of post lunch lethargy and boredom set in. We stopped at one point to see where we were by wandering into a field just off the path we were on and had a lovely view with the Hospital just poking it's head about the trees.






We passed fields with horses in and kept walking up and up





until we reached Yew Tree Hill and were rewarded with views of countryside like this






and this






and this.






Which made it the boring bit worth it. Even T stopped and took it all in and wanted to take photos.


Out with my family in the fresh air and sunshine. Perfect.

Doing the walk to St Cross and back again is something we hope to do next year, making sure we find the correct path to the viaduct this time!

14 comments:

  1. It's great this land we live in!
    Thought the tile picture was a patchwork window hanging!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good for you, its so good to get out in the fresh air, and we have had some lovely autumn days lately! Looks like you had a lovely walk x

    ReplyDelete
  3. It looks a great walk. The veiw from the hill looks amazing and so worthwhile going through the boring bits.

    What a wonderful time you all had.


    MBB x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad the slog was worth it.... impressive views!
    We've followed walks in books and got horribly lost,as when it says 'turn left at the gate' for example,often the gate isn't there anymore!So now we always have an OS map with us. :0)

    ReplyDelete
  5. There is often a boring bit on a walk but the other bits usually make it for it! Sounds like a lovely day :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Looks wonderful. I've lived abroad in the past and it makes you realise just how beautiful our country is. Lesley x

    ReplyDelete
  7. I struggle with the steep bits - but the view was worth it. xzxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the goose apple bobbing! I bet you all slept well after the exercise and fresh air! x

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a wonderful stimulating walk this must have been! Full of interesting things, architecture, history, nature,beautiful views, blue sky - and above all your family to share it with and your homemade biccies! All sounds and looks blissful!
    Thanks for your visit and comment - good question indeed, what IS wrong with Mr G - I'll tell you - he has NO imagination and NO sense of FUN!!!!
    But I work around this;)
    Gill xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Super walk. I will look up about the Alms houses. I love the photo with the barbed wire in the foreground !
    If you are over my way during half term give me a shout !

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh we always get it wrong when we're following walking instructions too..... and we've both got degrees in Geography!!!
    It looks like everyone in blog land made the most of the glorious weekend weather and went out for wonderful walks. I wonder how many more we'll get to do before winter sets in!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Lisa, thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. Let me know the next time you're heading Salisbury way. I can get there easily so hope we could meet up sometime. Lesley x

    ReplyDelete
  13. It looks like a lovely walk, it's nice to get away from it all sometimes. You'll definitely have to do the walk again and this time make sure you find the viaduct.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hello Lisa, I love the pictures of the goose! I think I might have ago at that walk.

    Lou xxx

    ReplyDelete