In Spring 2014 I decided to reccy a walk in area fairly unknown to me. Unfortunately, at the time I was not aware that it was an area prone to flooding. At the time it was a number of weeks, a few months perhaps since the worst of the rains had subsided in the winter of 2013/14. However, when I chose to do my walk starting from the fairly remote Overton railway station I was caught completely unawares of the waterlogged fields that lay before me. I did manage to complete the walk then albeit with my feet soaked to the bone .I had subsequently delayed in submitting the walk to our programme.
Roll on maybe sixteen months I decided it was time I re-visited the ten mile walk and lead it for the group. The starting location of Overton is just one stop from Basingstoke so for those travelling from Reading (and other destinations) it did require us changing trains but that was no problem. The service was better on a Saturday so chose this day to lead it.
Twelve of us had gathered at the start point, together with another walking group but we successfully managed to not get confused with one and other which was a good start. One person in our group was slightly caught out by how far the train station was from the village centre – a good mile perhaps – so parked a little way away but fortunately was picked up by a sharp eyed lady from our group was also driving to the start point.
All together, we were off heading in an easterly direction towards but never reaching Basingstoke. Thankfully the land was very dry so absolutely no chance of us getting soggy feat this time as we took to the fields almost immediately from the off passing the village of Ashe where the source of the River Test is located nearby. We strolled past what would be the first of three churches that we stumbled across during the hike. I was quizzed once or twice but others in the group had far better knowledge then me, I’m just happen to be leading a walk in an area that I have only ever visited once before!
Soon we arrived at church number two at the village of Deane, passing through a field of sheep which had been waterlogged last time I visited. We eventually turned in a north easterly direction through Deane Cottages, saying hello to a couple of donkeys on the way and eventually arriving at Little Deane Wood. Greeted with rolling fields, we had a few water stops to ensure we could take in the inspiring views.
The walk took us in a southerly direction down Ivy Down Lane and crossed the Andover Road. There was a pub nearby but it was too early for consideration even for me. It was not long that we arrived at church number three of the day at Oakley where we saw a solitary person dressed in a full tuxedo. He certainly looked rather dapper although not sure if there was an event (wedding?) going on as there was no further evidence to suggest there was.
Within 10 minutes with our tummy’s rumbling we stopped at a couple of benches to have our picnic lunches looking back over Oakley. It was questioned by one person that as we had walked past Station Road where the station was itself as it was not obvious? Well, I can confirm there was one in existence at some point on the Basingstoke to Salisbury line but closed in 1963 presumably after the Beeching Report.
Lunch done we set off and carried on through the open fields, passing the Wayfarers Walk intersection and through Ashe Park Copse. We headed through the village of Steventon where I pointed out that this is where I had my lunch on my reccy. We were making good progress at this point despite the fact I had to pause on one or two occasions to remember the route. It is not usually sixteen months between me reccying a walk and actually leading it. However, we had no issues.
The enjoyable walk was slowing coming to its conclusion but not before we walked near to Laverstoke Park Farm. Ian in our group had pointed out that the farm was run by an ex famous Formula 1 World Champion from the 1970’s. It took a few minutes to establish who it was. We saw a herd of magnificent looking buffalo on the farm although I think it was of some relief to the group that the footpath did not actually takes us through this field.
Before long Overton was reached and we had to make a decision as at a push we could make the earlier than planned train. A few people decided to take up the option but most of us decided to relax and have a drink (and ice cream in some cases) in the hostelry run by a friendly landlord. That convinced me, if I needed any convincing that is, to have second pint. Time was in our favour and we managed the final 0.8 miles with time to spare. All in all a very enjoyable day spent with good company as always.