Going for a walk
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A Riverside Walk

Blackwater Valley Path

Picture
Moor Green Lakes
Picture
Near Finchampstead
Picture
Swallowfield
Section 1: Farnham to North Camp
Section 2: North Camp to Sandhurst
Section 3: Sandhurst to Swallowfield
Sandhurst to Swallowfield
Wednesday 9 June 2021
PictureEversley Bridge
       With the promise of a beautiful late Spring Day I set off on the short journey to Sandhurst. After a short stretch of tarmac walking, which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, a track led to Horseshoe Lake. This is a popular spot for water sports enthusiasts and water fowl. I didn't hang around, preferring to walk in the shady surroundings of the Blackwater River. Here the trail was shared for a while with the Three Castles Path and it was when I was walking along that trail, that the idea of walking the entire Blackwater Valley Path entered my head. Now, here I was! For a while, the walking beteen river and lakes was lovely and, not surprisingly, popular with local dog walkers. The water was clear and I spotted quite a few fish. Soon, there were no more dogwalkers or joggers and I was able to concentrate fully on following the right path, and enjoying the wildlife. When the path veered away from the river and followed a woodland edge towards Eversley I heard the first cuckoo of the year. I think they are becoming rarer and I haven't heard one in my local area for years. Shortly afterwards I spotted a weasel-like creature (stoat?). The animal was dark and tried crossing the path in front of me. Unfortunately it spotted me and disappeared into the shrubbery before I had time to line up my binoculars or take a photo, which would enable me to identify the creature later. Soon I arrived in Eversley Bridge and treated myself to a drink and crisps at the Tally-Ho. I thought I'd sit on the lawn by a tree but was told that I had to sit at a table (Corona virus rules apparently). I also had to check into the NHS app. With hindsight I wondered whether all this palaver was worth it for my Appletizer. 
        The walk now continued towards Swallowfield. I lost the river and path for a while as I strayed on to a long forest track near the edge of the large Bramshill Plantation. Eventually I emerged from the forest at Well House Farm and found the proper path. Soon I was back walking along the riverside path and reached the place where the River Whitewater joins the Blackwater River to became the Broadwater. Eventually the path left the river, crossed a small wooded area to reach a tarmacked lane. At Rowe's Farm the trail continued on a hedged path that led to Swallowfield Park where I was reunited with the river. Soon I arrived at my destination: the bus stop in the village of Swallowfield. It's been a good long walk and the most picturesque of the three sections. Obviously the unbroken sunshine helped.   

My highlights:
  • Walking between gravel extraction lakes and the Blackwater River
  • Fleet Copse - away from the river for a while 
  • The riverside path before and after the Blackwater and Whitewater Rivers join up to become the Broadwater
Wildlife:
  • Water fowl and songbirds, cockoo (heard, not seen)
  • Stoat (?), Squirrels, rabbits
  • Horses
Useful information:
Transport: 
  • Train Reading to Sandhurst
  • Return: Bus No 7 Swallowfield to Reading
Refreshments:
  • Sandhurst
  • Eversley Bridge
  • Swallowfield
Map: OS Explorer 159 (Reading, Wokingham & Pangbourne)
  • Going for a Walk
  • National Trails
    • The Thames Path
    • North Downs Way >
      • Otford to Maidstone
  • Long Distance Paths
    • Blackwater Valley Path
    • The Capital Ring
    • Wayfarers Walk
    • The London Loop
    • The Three Castles Path
    • The Great Stones Way
    • The Vanguard Way
  • Canal Walks
    • Kennet & Avon Canal Walk >
      • Reading to Calcot
      • Calcot to Woolhampton
      • Woolhampton to Hungerford
      • Hungerford to Great Bedwyn
      • Great Bedwyn to Pewsey Wharf
      • Pewsey to Devizes
      • Devizes to Bradford-on-Avon
      • Bradford-on-Avon to Bath
    • Grand Union Canal Walk >
      • Brentford to West Drayton
      • West Drayton to Croxley Green
      • Croxley Green to Berkhamsted
      • Berkhamsted to Leighton Buzzard
  • Rambles
    • Lockdown Walks
    • Railway Rambles
  • Further Afield
    • Switzerland
    • France >
      • Avignon
      • Normandy
    • Gran Canaria
    • La Palma
    • Turkey >
      • Lycian Way
    • Greece >
      • Sithonia
      • Olympiada
    • Seychelles
  • Photo Gallery
    • Thames Path Photos 1
    • Thames Path Photos 2
    • Thames Path Photos 3
    • Thames Path Photos 4
    • Thames Path Photos 5
    • North Downs Way Photos 1
    • North Downs Way Photos 2
    • Kennet & Avon Canal Walk Photos 1
    • Kennet & Avon Canal Photos 2
    • Three Castles Path Photos
    • Wayfarers Walk Photos 1
    • Wayfarers Walk Photos 2
    • Grand Union Canal Walk Photos 1
    • Vanguard Way Photos
    • Gran Canaria Photos
    • Avignon Photos
    • Lycian Way Photos
    • Greece photos
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