Pete's Walks - Watlington Hill and Russell's Water (page 4 of 5)
Lunch over, I followed a bridleway from the pond out onto the wide grassy expanse of Russell's Water Common. There was no sign of an actual path, I just headed northeast and then turned east as directed by the map, then aimed at some obvious farm buildings. Beyond these, the bridleway continued between hedgerows and I came across several wildflowers, including two more 'firsts' for the year - Garlic Mustard and, surprisingly early, Bluebells. I also spotted my first Wood Sorrel of the day, some growing out of a mossy tree stump, something I'd see three more times later on. There were also a large number of cyclists coming the other way as I followed this attractive bridleway.
Part of Russell's Water Common
The bridleway from Russell's Water Common
I had intended to follow the bridleway all the way to Pishill, and just continue along a route I walked last March. But I came across a junction where a path crossed the bridleway, and after studying the map I took the path going right, towards Maidensgrove - I realised that the walk I'd planned was going to be a bit shorter than my usual five-hours, so took on this extra new section to lengthen it slightly. Anyway, the path ran along the edge of a small meadow, then went over a stile into Doyley Wood (I wonder if there's a connection to the D'Oyley family who have a memorial in Hambleden church a few miles east of here?). The path here was a wide track that went straight down the fairly steep slope (steep enough to hurt my rather dodgy knees). At the bottom of the valley was a grass strip, and then the path entered the trees again and rose up the opposite slope - I was relieved to find the narrow path here twisted and turned a bit, and seemed less steep than the path down had been. At the top of the hill, the path left the wood (I saw three Fallow deer here) and ran between wooden fences between paddocks to reach the grounds of a fine barn conversion, where I followed the drive to reach the open expanse of Maidensgrove Common.
Near the start of the path to Maidensgrove
The path to Maidensgrove, starting the steep descent
The path to Maidensgrove, descending steeply (honest!)
Looking left (east) from the same point
The path to Maidensgrove, about to start back up the far side of the valley
The path heading up to Maidensgrove
Looking back to Doyley Wood, from the edge of Maidensgrove
I turned left along the edge of the huge grassy common, soon reaching a corner where there was a small pond among trees. I then followed a drive going left, passing a few residences. At the end of the drive a path continued through a gap in some fences, soon reaching a bridleway that is part of the Oxfordshire Way. The map seems to show the path going straight on here, but in fact I had to go about a hundred yards left, then turn right (previously here I've always followed the Oxfordshire Way straight on to Pishill). This path, again new to me, ran through the attractive Pishillbury Wood, descending gradually over a distance of about half a mile.
Path along the edge of Maidensgrove Common
Pond on edge of Maidensgrove Common
The Oxfordshire Way, near Maidensgrove
The path through Pishillbury Wood
The path through Pishillbury Wood
The path through Pishillbury Wood