Although he couldn't have known it, the day Stephen chose to lead his first walk for us (Saturday 24th August) was very wet! The rain had started during the night and carried on through the day. Six of us (including a brave newcomer trying us out) met up at the Simons Wood car park and put on our waterproof jackets and over-trousers.
We walked through Simons Wood and Wicks Hill to Finchampstead, stopping at St James' Church while Stephen told us a bit of the history of the church and its bells. Next, we followed a narrow footpath and a section of road to Eversley, where Stephen told us a bit about the village and its local pub. This walk was becoming quite educational - Stephen had certainly done some extra homework on top of planning, pre-walking and leading this walk. If only he could plan the weather, too! ;-)
Crossing into Hampshire, we followed the Long River westward to New Mill Ford. We didn't cross the ford, which looked too deep for most cars let alone our walking boots! There was a footbridge of course, but we didn't use it. Instead, we turned south, heading into Bramshill Plantation.
The rain stopped long enough for us to eat our packed lunches while sitting on a log at the side of the path. Leaving the plantation, we headed into Heath Warren Wood and picked up the Three Castles Path, which we followed as far as Moor Green Lakes nature reserve. We stopped along the way at St Mary's Church in Eversley to admire the huge sequoia tree dominating the graveyard.
Leaving the Three Castles Path, we headed north past the lakes and then through woodland back to Simons Wood. See our route on Google Maps. We covered 12.5 miles in just five hours - obviously no one wanted to dawdle in the rain!
Thanks go to Stephen for leading this walk. Rob wrote it up.
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