6

Six walkers, in search of a walk of moderate length, assembled at the designated station. The weather was glorious - crisp air, blue skies, a breeze (sometimes strong), and not a drop of water in the air. Spirits were high and we set a good pace.

We stopped briefly to admire the ancient Roman amphitheatre - or whatever was left of it - and the Roman city walls around Silchester (or Calleva Atrebatum back then). We crossed the gate, debating whether we were barbarians at the gate or already respectable citizens. Opinions were divided.

We marched on until we reached the lunch stop, where two opted sensibly for sandwiches and four went to the pub.

This proved to be a tactical miscalculation.

We found ourselves behind a large group of art lovers enjoying their very delayed Christmas lunch (no reasons were given for the delay). Hoping for speedy service, we ordered toasties, only to discover that the pub owned only one toastie machine. This altered the timetable even more

When lunch eventually arrived, it was consumed quickly. One pint order turned into three due to miscommunication, but only one was sent back.

Hazed by beer (not all, mind you, and definitely not your rapporteur) we marched on. While conditions above ground remained glorious, the terrain underfoot was stuck in winter mood. The ground was soaked and muddy from accumulated winter rains. We improvised in several places, searching for marginally less awful options One walker, sensibly wearing rubber boots, had unfair advantage

Fortunately, the two sandwich eaters, walking well ahead, warned the four lunch eaters of a flooded path and an impassable bridge. That’s a proper walker spirit. .

We rerouted through Padworth College grounds, bravely following the public right of way despite signs warning of police dogs in training. We trusted that the dogs would be trained enough to recognise four respectable citizens walking on the public path. Luckily, the dogs had the weekend off.

We crossed the overflowing river via a proper bridge and then proceeded along the canal path towards Aldermaston station, where we waited for the 17:26 train, one hour behind the sandwich eaters

Along the way we observed red kites circling overhead, deer moving gracefully through the flooded meadows and common, and several rabbits darting across the paths.

Overall, a very fine day out, though with slightly more adventure than advertised

12 and a dog set off on a day largely dry sunny and cloudy Unless you count the two short showers. Looked in the church, the amphitheatre, did the walls, and continued to the common where most stopped for lunch. There was a rapid decamp to the pub when one of the showers arrived. They were doing food, not that anyone partook. Then on through woods and heaths. Most of the group must have made the 16:17. Not so poor Mr Tiger, who, being out of practise, just missed it. This gave him the opportunity to witness a torrential downpour from the relative comfort of the station’s shelter. So…. lucky with the weather.

10 on a day that started cloudy turned sunny

A brisk pace was set. I stopped to tie my shoe and fshoom! gone. Don’t worry though, readers, they caught me up later near Calleva amphitheatre.

3 went in the Calleva Arms, 2 ate, 1 drank. Food ample. The others picnicked and went ahead.

Later some of us took the ‘reinstated’ footpath round the quarry, which I don’t think is as reinstated as it used to be. It sort of works but you wouldn’t want to take a doddery old gentleman along there. Not with all the badger holes and hanging brambles. Talking of which, the walk was festooned with luscious flavoursome blackberries, into which my purple fingered friends made impressive inroads. I tried a few. Mmmm!

The ahead people visited the wharf tearoom. I and the purple fingered ones did not have time. Everyone reconvened on the platform for the 16:17

Geography notes - although most of the walk was in Berkshire, Calleva and Silchester are in Hampshire. I'm grateful that nobody picked me up on this error.

Just before Calleva we saw signs saying we were on the Camino Ingles. It turns out we were on the newly signposted St James' Way which goes from Reading to Southampton via Basingstoke and Winchester. See https://britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/st-james-way/ for an explanation.

I am told just 3 on this walk. I presume the weather was warm and humid , but if you were one of the three, do please add your own report.

i did this walk in my own time as somewhat poorly on day in question . having done 500 miles of the St James da Compostella walk in France approx 5 years ago I was delighted to see that anew section of English St james s pilgrimage walk had opened up and took in The ruins of Calleva and the lovely Church there.

jane

11 minutes to change at Reading.

I remember running across Reading station to make that tight changeover on a previous visit.

I'm thinking of travelling from my home station via Basingstoke to arrive at Mortimer 1035; hope to see anyone who makes it at 1051.

Just 4 of us gathered at Mortimer at the appointed time, on a pleasantly sunny day. There was speculation that the lack of online seat availability on trains from Paddington to Reading had put people off, but there are tickets to be had at the station.

Anyway we enjoyed a great, varied walk with a peaceful rural start, intriguing Roman remains, rather watery blackberries, fungi spotting, a nice lunch pub by a village green and a contrasting afternoon heathland walk - more should try it! We did briefly talk about the possibility of walking further along the canal but opted for a welcome and high quality tea and cake at the Aldermaston tea rooms.

The 1627 train to Reading was slightly delayed, and my companions egged me on to try and make a 0 minute connection at Reading West for the hourly train back to Basingstoke, but I got the Ealing train from Reading instead. Thanks for posting!

Enjoyed the walk - highlights sunshine, roman stuff and fish ladder. (added some of my pics to the flickr group)

BestFootForward, Tue 23 Jul 19, 16:41

The canal tow path is closed on the Midgham extension until 6 September 2019. There is a barrier to prevent entry. A notice advises that the Canal and River Trust have to renew a culvert on the canal between Woolhampton and Frouds Lane. 3 footpaths are closed. The paths concerned are Woolhampton 10 & 12 (the canal tow path) and Aldermaston 12 (which leads from the canal to the A340). The road up from the tow path is very busy with fast moving traffic. We decided to walk back to Aldermaston, a very pleasant walk about a mile along the tow path. AT

After a shambolic start with the Bakerloo line partly closed and the Paddington train arriving in Reading too late for the connection, just 3 stalwarts eventually left Mortimer at 11.20 in light drizzle quickly turning to overcast and sometimes humid conditions . Everyone else missed a great walk, full of interest, striking variations in the landscape, characterful pub for lunchtime refreshments, and a delightful tea stop at the canal trust centre. None of us fancied the extra 6km to Theale, not that we were the slightest bit tired you understand, just thinking of the likely complicated journeys home.

Hi, Does anyone else want to get super saver tickets from Paddington with me? My number is 07981494967.

Selina

An "almost super" blue moon and clear evening skies forecasted, almost too much to pass up really......will aim to take the 17:03 arriving in Aldermaston at 18:06 to walk to Theale with anyone who has not already raced back to London.....

occasional rain until lunch then sunny 10

10 off the train in the rain, which lasted all of 10 minutes or so, then reappeared in assorted short bursts, but wasn't much of a nuisance really, then - while at the lunch pub - we watched the cloud cover turn from dark grey to light grey to barely there, and then the sun came out, all this in a very short time.

Generally fine walk with some indifferent to dreary bits, especially pre-lunch on the way to Calleva Roman Town, just before which we bumped into a shooting party (modest success they've had, I'd say, not THAT many pheasants to show for) and turned right to admire the amphitheatre, then all those info panels around the town wall and the church etc.

On to lunch which was standard old school pub fare. The beer was nice though.

On in the dry, through woods, fields and commons (we tried the 'alternative' route through Burnt Common, much nicer than the road route) and then the many ponds and waterways by Aldermaston. Got there around 15.45, but the café at the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Information Centre was shut (as was the centre) for a re-furb/new build.

So without any further ado, 7 (I think) walked on to Theale, where in the last hundreds of metres of walking we saw the fabled blue moon rising. 17.23 train.

...and to honour the world class dedication of one particular swc walker who took the train out after a day in the office to walk just the Aldermaston to Theale bit into the Blue Moon, I declare the attendance herewith:11...

....and from the late starter who set-off from Aldermaston just after 18:00, the moon did not disappoint....it was big, beautiful and bright and perfectly positioned for the route to Theale, reflecting on the river and occasionally providing atmospheric backlighting to the speckling of bare trees along the way....a special night with a special moon....

Hi, I'm not sure if there's train from Paddinton to Mortimer on Saturday. I've tried to buy a ticket but no success.

Yes, there is a train. http://traintimes.org.uk/london/mortimer/10:15a/2016-01-02