Wednesday 17 August 2016

Wittenham Clumps

A morning walk, we’re off to explore the Clumps!

Sometimes called Berkshire Bubs or Mother Dunch’s Buttocks are two chalk hills (Castle Hill and Round Hill) topped by a clump of Beech Trees a mile or so from our moorings at Days Lock near Dorchester on Thames.

With Sue and her dogs Meg and Penny, George and I with our Molly walk along the meadow and cross Poohsticks bridge where the world annual championships had been held since 1984 but ceased for health and safety reasons (too many people on the bridge) last year (2015). They are now held over the River Windrush at Whitney, Oxfordshire.
St Peter’s Church, Little Wittenham was unfortunately closed

The Clumps and Woodland are managed by the Earth Trust.
Penny waiting for the off at the bottom of Castle Hill!

Wittenham Clumps have panoramic views from the tops so I’ll let the pictures do most of the talking ...
The now redundant Dicot Power Station
The Manor House, Little Wittenham, a mid-18th century building
Houseboat Gypsy Willow and No Problem-XL breasted up against Still Rockin' 
Days Lock and weir in the foreground
Dorchester Abbey





Waiting for a canopy to make a cosy den!

Top o’the hill

Into the woods




Sue playing peek-a-boo








Down Castle Hill and up Round Hill.







Back to the River Thames where Penny cools off
Looking back up Castle Hill as we return to our mooring.


A great walk followed by a sumptuous Sunday roast dinner cooked by Vic and enjoyed by us all and a relaxed afternoon (for some of us anyway, sorry Sue).

No comments: