nearly to Old Winchester Hill

I like this little bird-like piece of wood I found on a walk the other day. Not sure what to do with it yet so it just follows me around in my bag for the moment.

I just came back from a long walk now. I think I'm the happiest when I walk, or at least the most at peace. I am exactly where I want to be, moving along. When the sun shines and the breeze is warm it's bliss. This time I went along the Green lane, as we call it, it's just a track through the fields and woods but it's flanked by trees all the way. That's the path I usually go around every weekday after lunch. I took the path down towards Warnford and shot this picture of the horse paddock before I was too deep into the woods.

Ahem. Should have taken me wellies... We had a little accident slipping into a puddle.

The path was so muddy it took me twice as long to walk, having to navigate across the puddles to either this side of the track or that, but I must say the mud makes the most delightful squelchy sounds under one's feet. I'm well aware how lucky we are here though, with hardly any flooding at all compared to some parts of Britain. Even I grew tired of the puddles in the end so I began walking the edge of the field instead, I loved the view.

In Warnford I cooled my feet in the stream - so clear! My toes didn't look exactly the way I remembered them though. Afterwards I walked around on the grass for a while, I've hardly walked barefoot at all this summer.

They grow watercress in waterfilled pools along the edge of the park. I should eat more of the stuff, seeing how local it is.

I always stop on the little bridge where this photo was taken from, I like watching the water flowing and whirling.

Mostly I veer off homewards by now, taking the old railway line track towards West Meon, but today I decided to go further, up and up and up the hill. I never know how long a walk will be when I leave home, I just decide each time I reach a fork in the road.

The view from the road up towards Old Winchester Hill is stunning, this picture doesn't do it justice. I'll have to take you there sometime to see it for yourself. You can see so far and wide, all the hills, trees and fields.

I stopped and had a little rest at the top, leaning against a gate and watching the view and the sheep. The sun sifting through the leaves of the trees. I could have walked on to Old Winchester Hill now, but I felt like going home. My camera ran out of battery here so I'll have to show you a picture of the Hill some other time. It has remains of an ancient settlement on it and what you can see is a mound going all the way around the top of the hill.

Oh, it was nice going downhill after that! Even better, I found the first ripe blackberries and had a handful. That was my walk, took about four hours I think. Wish you could tell me where you go walking and what you see! Do you like walking?

Comments

[Angie]

Lovely photos- what a great walk. It's nice to be able to see another part of the world from your blog :-)

[caroline]

Thanks Angie! I like seeing your part of the world too!

[linni]

I've never been up this hill...you want to take me when it is all summery and hot?! Then when we get to the top, we can take photos of ourselves (wanted to say you)...but i have to say "us" with Winchester Hill in the background! What do you think of that? xx