🥾 Walk 141 - Barkham and The Coombes

On Sunday 18th we had a turnout of twenty-one people for a short walk in Barkham. This included three newcomers and a member of one of our neighbouring walking groups. Despite all the forecasts of snow, it was a cold but dry day. When I say dry, I mean it didn't rain, but the ground was far from dry in some places!

We set off from Church Lane, onto Barkham Street and then right onto Barkham Road before leaving the road for a footpath that took us north and then west, past Barkham Manor, and north again, past Barkham Rectory. (I've managed to say Barkham four times in one sentence!)

Another turning and we were following a route through The Coombes, an area of woodland rich in a diversity of plant and wildlife, designated as an area of special scientific interest. Apart from the rich diversity of trees, we also encountered a rich diversity of types of mud, ranging from a bit slippery to very soggy, as many of the paths were rather waterlogged.

The gradual up-hill of the path changed to a steeper climb at the delightfully named Gravel Pit Hill, taking us out of the woods onto Gravelpit Lane, which we followed briefly before taking a footpath that skirted Bearwood Golf Course. In the distance you could see the towers of Bearwood College breaking through the tree-line on the other side of the golf course.

Heading east now, we followed Coombes Lane, a muddy track that is used by pedestrians and equestrians alike, but is not suitable for motor vehicles. Eventually the lane became more like a proper road before ending at a crossroads with Bearwood Road. We crossed this road into Sandy Lane, which soon turned from a proper road into a muddy track.

Crossing Barkham Road again heading south-east, we followed Doles Lane until we found a footpath that led us between two farms and emerged onto a quiet road. The footpath resumed a little way along the road and took us through fields and finally through the grounds of the church where we had started. See our route on Bing Maps.

The walk leader had also booked a table for lunch in The Bull pub, so after peeling off our muddy gaiters, over-trousers and boots, we made our way there. We must have spent nearly as much time in the pub as we had walking, enjoying some excellent food and drink. I'm pretty sure I gained more calories than I lost on the walk, but so what? You only live once!

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