On Saturday 9th December, we had our BWW Christmas lunch. Before lunch, we had a five-mile walk, to help build up an appetite. The lunch was at The Rowbarge pub in Woolhampton, and the walk started and finished there, taking in Brimpton, Midgham Lock and a section of the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Fourteen of us met up in the car park at the pub and set off southward, past some lakes, which more than likely used to be gravel pits. These were full and spilling over onto the paths, due to the amount of rain we've had recently.
Turning west and then south again, we followed a long track to the village of Brimpton.
In Brimpton, we passed The Three Horseshoes pub, sadly now boarded up, and then the war memorial before arriving at St Peter's Church. A footpath around the church led us away from the village and across fields to Holdaway's Farm.
A short stretch of road walking and we were on a footpath heading north and downhill through farmland.
After passing by Burnell's Farm and Manor Farm, we reached Brimpton Road. We followed this road over King's Bridge and down as far as Midgham Bridge, which crosses the Kennet & Avon Canal. We stopped by Midgham Lock for a short break.
We returned to the pub by following the canal towpath, crossing from one side of the water to the other at Cranwell Bridge and back again at Oxlease Bridge. Passing Woolhampton Lock, we were back at The Rowbarge with plenty of time to change out of our muddy boots and waterproofs, and get a drink at the bar before lunch. See our route on Google Maps.
We were joined in the pub by more members of our group, making a total of twenty-eight for lunch. The lunch was very good and so was the atmosphere. Thanks go to Richard for organising the meal, with some extra help from Jane and Mike.
Thank you to Petrina for leading the walk.
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