Chilterns and Thames Valley

An Oxfordshire Round

With Emma away for the day, it's an opportunity to see if I can stretch myself. Still cautious about my back, I decided to take things one walk at a time and surprised myself by completing all three: an Oxfordshire Round.

Distance: 4.27 miles
Ascent: 55 metres
Duration: 1 hour 9 minutes

Walk 4: Cuckhamsley Hill and the Ridgeway

Here in the far south of the county, The Ridgeway ploughs its way across hilltops in deep, muddy, tyre-trodden furrows. It's popular with walkers too, but once you step off the National Trail the paths are deserted, save for the occasional herd of deer. Magical.

Distance: 4.98 miles
Ascent: 118 metres
Duration: 1 hour 31 minutes

Walk 5: Old Boars Hill

Old Boar's Hill couldn't be more different. This is the Oxfordshire of Tarquin and Jemima. Look! There's Tarquin's new ride, an Audi TT parked next to daddy's SLK. And in the paddock, Jemima's riding out her new run-about. Paths are neatly fenced in here, and plentiful "Private! Keep Out!" signs help you know your place: you don't really belong here.

Distance: 4.26 miles
Ascent: 90 metres
Duration: 1 hour 21 minutes

Walk 6: Dorchester and Wittenham Clumps

The final walk of the day was the best of the three. The Sinodun Hills rise beside the majestic Thames near the ancient settlement of Dorchester, each crowned with a clump of trees. Here everyone is welcome, as evidenced by the massed ranks of families spread out across the grassy flanks.

All-in-all three good walks, and with a combined distance of 13 miles it looks like I might be ready to start the coast walking again.