Mortimer to Aldermaston and Theale walk

This 10 mile walk was last done following heavy rain in the spring of 2013. As a result, it wasn't possible to complete filming back then, so an update was required.

By contrast, the weather today was very different; mostly sunny with a cooling easterly breeze, welcomed as the temperature did hit around 28 degrees. Consequently, the paths were very dry, even cracked in places, and the walking much more enjoyable.

From Mortimer station, the walker closely follows the course of Foundry Brook past cereal fields and meadows to the former Roman town and amphitheatre of Calleva Atrebatum. There's also a twelfth century church

Lunch is had on the common at Silchester, where a pub alternative also exists.

Thereafter, there's a welcome section of walking through a mainly Scots Pine wood, followed by a section of busy road walking. This walker then chooses to cross Padworth Common, to soon reach another church at Padworth.

The Kennet weir is then crossed at Aldermaston Wharf, where this walker decided to call it a day.

A very good walk, with very good conditions today. It would have been nice to include a section of canal-side walking, for even greater variety, but time didn't allow. Nonetheless, a far better experience than the last time!

(The addition of Elizabeth Line trains from Reading is very helpful as most of the mainline trains from the West were delayed today. The 'Lizzie Line' wasn't so affected, albeit the journey takes a bit longer.

Some churches celebrate 'rush-laying', not reed-laying, as mentioned).

And so to the final walk of the series in Book 1, and what a walk this Berks/Hants 13 miler turned out to be! It has now superseded previous contenders as the wettest walk this walker has done to date!

The writing was on the wall shortly after leaving Mortimer station and crossing Foundry Brook; further evidence then came to light walking alongside the meadows of the brook. Then, there was hope as the walker ascended away from the brook towards the amphitheatre and former Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, and so on to lunch at Silchester.

Thereafter, there was some further respite from the wet stuff with a pleasant walk through a pine forest, but, then, upon reaching the gorse and birch of Padworth Common, the warning signs of what was to follow were evident. Shortly after passing Padworth Church, and looking out over the terrain ahead around Aldermaston Wharf, it was clear that the route was impassible due to flooding. Consequently, a short section of the walk, including the Kennet Weir and the Alder Bridge centre couldn't be filmed.

Instead, this walk resumes at the church and on through the grounds of Padworth College to Lodge Farm. Shortly after a brief road walk, the walker rejoins the canalside extension to Theale for the very wet finale!

A very pleasant and varied walk, despite the dampness underfoot. The section of road walking in the middle should be re-routed, but otherwise a delightful day out!