Bank Holiday walk along the Ock Valley, 27th May 2013

By Andrew -
For the Bank Holiday Monday, a programme of free walks was organised by various Abingdon groups, all starting at the market place.  Included among these was a tour of the Ock Valley Walk, led by one of our session leaders, Eleanor.  

 The Ock Valley Walk is one of our green gym work sites, so as well as enjoying a pleasant stroll along this beautiful route, the aim was to show participants the work that we do there along with providing some further information about the history and nature of the areas visited.

 Registration for the walks began at 10am and the group of 11 people and a dog left at 10:30am.  The walk was conducted at a leisurely pace and was an interesting social occasion as well as being an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather.  Many participants were local to Abingdon, but we also had walkers from as far afield as Newbury.

 Eleanor gave a brief talk at the start of the Ock path about the route and the wildlife to be found there and proceeded to guide the walkers along the woodchip path that the green gym maintain.  We subsequently followed the path out past the Drayton road and out towards Tesco (another spot where we regularly hold work sessions).  We took the path across the newly-restored footbridge and as far as the New Cut Mill.  We then diverted towards Sutton Wick, and then across some fields to Masefield Crescent before returning back into town via Caldicott Road, St Helen's Wharf and East St Helen's Street.

 Our return to the market square was shortly before 1pm.  Positive feedback was provided by those involved and it proved to be a lovely way to spend the bank holiday morning.
-Andrew

registration for the walks in the market place begins

Eleanor with sign

the market place

Eleanor provides some information at the start of the Ock Valley Walk

along the woodchip path

the bridge at the Tesco end of the path


back at the market place at the end of the walk!



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