On Sunday 16th December, ten of us met at Wyndhams Pool car park on Yateley Common for this 8 mile walk. We started with a short loop round the pond and almost back to the car park where were joined by a latecomer making 11 in total. The group included BWW members and several visitors from other Ramblers groups.
Following the loop round the pond we set off across the common towards Blackbushe Airfield. This was used as an RAF base in the Second World War but much of it is now a commercial airfield. There are also some abandoned runways, parts of which we walked along.
We stopped to look at the Dog Walkers' Tree by one of the paths. Each December, local people who regularly walk their dogs on the common bring Christmas decorations to hang in a holly tree making a festive display. At the beginning of January they take the decorations home again to put away for the next year.
After continuing past a go-cart track and former gravel workings we walked through Castle Bottom nature reserve. A boardwalk led to a small bridge across a stream followed by the only noticeable climb on the walk. At the top it was time for a short rest for a snack and drink and to admire the view.
Further footpaths and some road walking took us around the western side of Yateley towards the River Blackwater where we crossed a bridge to Moor Green Lakes.
Our route then followed the Blackwater Valley Path eastwards along the river where we spotted a heron standing motionless by the bank in wait for a fish.
Soon, we arrived at our lunch stop at Horseshoe Lake. The watersports centre and cafe were closed for the winter so we made use of the picnic tables outside.
The final section of the walk left the river and followed paths around the eastern part of Yateley, past the church and back to the common and the car park. See our route on Google Maps.
Thank you to Denise for leading this walk, writing it up and providing the photos.
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