The Southern section of the Oxfordshire Way

2- 4 June 2012

Millions watched the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations but Liz and Eme's intrepid followers focussed on The Oxfordshire Way, brushing through rape fields ("high as an elephant's eye"), more fields of rape and, secateurs rampant, the forgotten ways through wood and copse. In a field of wind-flattened, rain-heavy grass sagging against our knees we came across a willow, storm-blown across the path; decisions, decisions. Do we crawl under the trunk (gymnastic skills permitting) or go round through the bog?

A warning of the water to come? A warning of the water to come? Photo: Eme Pilgrim

You do recall how wet it was that weekend, don't you? Maybe you were drily ensconced in front of your television, open-mouthed at the BBC's risible attempt to add a common touch to proceedings; or were you being valiantly British and weathering the local Big Lunch? We, the undaunted, dried out our trousers and boots overnight and reported for car-organising with a firm conviction that weather systems only last four hours in the UK, and, anyway, the forecasters are often more pessimistic than the indications warrant. Sue put up her umbrella.

After all, Saturday had finished on a bright note; we sat in the sunshine at Waterperry Gardens, treated to very much appreciated pots of tea by Liz and Eme, and counted the golf balls we'd picked up en route, failed to identify all the flowers we'd seen, and stretched our brains (bar Adam who worked it all out in a flash, of course) over the logistics of cars for the morrow. We'd seen dozens of deer, a heron, hares, an hours-old calf with its mother and a bored bull. (Michael, what would we do without you!) Lunch had been taken just past the scene of a murder, the only dry patch, albeit on the verge of a drive. Postman Pat's van clipped our toe space but he waved and smiled merrily. Did he think we were bonkers?

Sue's umbrella was stylish. We were all 'stylised' on Sunday. At the last count, Michael said we had, on Sunday, surmounted the challenge of 38 stiles; slippery, wobbly, obstacles of varied height and pitch, often embedded in cow-trodden mud, once even in liquid manure. Another hare sprang from its' form right under Liz's foot and a deer was only 20 feet away as I came around a corner in the wood. Both were fast and silent. We were neither, but we were still happy. It wasn't just the challenge of 11+ miles each day; it was enjoyment of good company, of varied landscapes, of identifying Comfrey and smelling the May, of seeing Queen Anne's Lace shimmering across wide stretches of green. Despite the warning signs I saw no snakes.

In Tetsworth, I ate lunch in a bus shelter (all smells rinsed away by the rain) and watched the villagers organising their beer fest lunch: much wielding of polythene sheeting and clamping down of tent pegs; much jolly music and self-deprecating laughter. I'm so glad this is my country! The clouds hung low. We looked to the SE, wondering if HM sailed under lighter skies.

No tea on the second day. No sunshine. The promise of hot baths was too urgent. And on Monday there was to be the morning challenge of the hill climb to Christmas Common. Then, would you believe it? - The sun blazed into the car as I drove home around the Oxford Eastern Relief Road!

Thank you Liz and Eme! Shall we do it in reverse next year?

Lesley Frazer

Sadly Lesley could not manage the final leg on Monday from Pyrton to Henley; the day dawned fair and we started with the long climb up to Christmas Common with good views and clearly marked paths so we made good progress. It was such a relief after the rain of the day before, the Chilterns were washed clean.

Sun at last Sun at last Photo: Kazie Wishnewski

At various times we saw support cars and groups of walkers wearing orange T- shirts and wondered who they were. All became clear after our descent into Henley, volunteers completing a sponsored walk for the Muscular Dystrophy charity, the whole length from Bourton on the Water to Henley in three days. I can't imagine managing 20plus miles in the dire weather on Sunday. We walked down to the river and bridge, the official end of the Way, it was such a sense of achievement to have completed the route. Seven of us have walked the whole route over two Bank Holidays, others still have a few sections to finish. In the lea of the bike sheds at Henley Station, in light drizzle, we toasted the Queen and ourselves for having completed the Oxfordshire Way.

The 'Magnificent Seven' The 'Magnificent Seven' Photo: Kazie Wishnewski

The Oxfordshire Way is available to download in 43 very clear maps from the Oxfordshire County Council website and is very easy to follow with the additional sheets of 'Interesting Notes' pages about the villages on the way.

Liz Adams