New Year Celebration Walk

It was great to see everyone again after the Christmas break. So, a rather noisy group of about 50 ladies joined The Thames Path at Purley to walk to Caversham. With ‘Waterways’ being our theme for 2006 we lapped up the atmosphere along the river on this misty January morning. Across the river several cormorants sat motionless in the bare trees adding a Jurassic feel. The water flowed silently beside us with various ducks and swans eyeing us expectantly. At Scours Lane we watched a man approach the waters edge with a bag full of bread. Within seconds the water turned into a bubbling turmoil as ducks, geese and swans flapped in from all directions, each eager to have their share of the bag’s contents. We watched them for a while before continuing on our way along the river path, which now passed through a green meadow edged with tall grasses, their seed heads a winter’s treat for birds. Eventually the smart houses of The Warren came into view on the opposite bank, one having a helicopter parked in the front garden! We were welcomed into Caversham by the usual large flock of swans. Some came to stand amongst us, comically appearing to listen intently as notices were read out. We made our way to The Toby Carvery where we enjoyed an excellent New Year Celebratory Lunch, and a chance to catch up on all the holiday news.

Hamstead Norreys

We gathered in the Pangside village of Hamstead Norreys, once winner of ‘Best Kept Village’, with sunshine lighting up this winters day. After several grey days the sunlight lifted our spirit and warmed our soul. So, enthusiastically, we climbed out of the village to soon walk within a landscape of variety. Arable fields lay at various stages, divided by hedgerows, and interrupted by small copses. Numerous birds could be seen, from large buzzards on the look-out for prey, to tiny skylarks singing their hearts out as they rose and fell in distinctive fashion. At the top of our climb we paused to take in the wide view – lovely! We entered woodland, it’s beauty outlined in the skeletal shapes of its naked trees. From near Yattendon we took one field path after another to eventually arrive at a wide plateau. Here we soaked up the history of the area, for this was where Wellington Bombers were based, leaving here for the D-Day Landings. Soon the village of Hamstead Norreys came into view. We paused above the rooftops which surround the Norman church tower before dropping down to arrive at The White Hart, which welcomed us for lunch.

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