Photos A Walk in Nature

[Hibou Canne]

You are a lucky man to be out there today,looks stunning.

It was a fantastic hike
ATB

 

[Johnnythefox]

I went over to Wittenam Clumps this afternoon as the sun was out,its not high but it was quite cold in the wind.
There is an old fort/castle there and you get terrific views all around.
I took my Trapper and the latest 84mm SAK (the smallest I could find with a saw which doubles as a lid lifter).
I went as far out of everyone's way as I could and found a fallen tree ideal for a seat and to brew up.
The cows who where patrolling the castle where rather stylish with kiss curls on the head and a fancy white streak down the back.
To many people to see much wildlife, it was Sunday after all.





"The much-loved Wittenham Clumps are one of South Oxfordshire’s most iconic landmarks. Standing proudly beside the Thames they offer stunning views over the surrounding countryside; they are the most highly visited free to access greenspace in the region. The Clumps are made up of Round Hill (to the left when facing the hills from the car park) and Castle Hill (to the right). Enjoy a figure of eight walk around the hilltops or head between them and down into Little Wittenham Wood.

What to see​

From majestic red kites swooping overhead to a carpet of wildflowers beneath your feet, there is always something to see on or from the Clumps. Listen for the spring birdsong, marvel at the busy bees and butterflies during the summer, admire the magnificent autumnal colours, or take in the wonderful wintry views.

History​

The Clumps are steeped in history, with Roman, Bronze Age and Iron Age evidence being found on site. The curved ramparts of Castle Hill date from the Iron Age, though archaeological work has shown that it was also a Bronze Age settlement; it is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The name Wittenham Clumps come from the ‘clumps’ of beech trees which crown both hills; these are the oldest known planted hilltop beeches in England, dating back over 300 years. This famous landmark has been known by many names over the years, from Berkshire Bubs, reflecting the fact that the Wittenham Clumps once fell within the county of Berkshire, to the slightly unusual Mother Dunch’s Buttocks, a name which refers to a lady of the Dunch family who owned Little Wittenham Manor in the 17th century. They are also known as the Sinodun Hills".

 

[danno50]

Great photos Johnnythefox. I have been to the Clumps a couple of times. My wife's father was born in Dorchester and she has an aunt that still lives there.

 

[Johnnythefox]

Great photos Johnnythefox. I have been to the Clumps a couple of times. My wife's father was born in Dorchester and she has an aunt that still lives there.

They do a mean cream tea at the abbey in Dorchester.

 

[CelloDan]

I went over to Wittenam Clumps this afternoon as the sun was out,its not high but it was quite cold in the wind.
There is an old fort/castle there and you get terrific views all around.
I took my Trapper and the latest 84mm SAK (the smallest I could find with a saw which doubles as a lid lifter).
I went as far out of everyone's way as I could and found a fallen tree ideal for a seat and to brew up.
The cows who where patrolling the castle where rather stylish with kiss curls on the head and a fancy white streak down the back.
To many people to see much wildlife, it was Sunday after all.





"The much-loved Wittenham Clumps are one of South Oxfordshire’s most iconic landmarks. Standing proudly beside the Thames they offer stunning views over the surrounding countryside; they are the most highly visited free to access greenspace in the region. The Clumps are made up of Round Hill (to the left when facing the hills from the car park) and Castle Hill (to the right). Enjoy a figure of eight walk around the hilltops or head between them and down into Little Wittenham Wood.

What to see​

From majestic red kites swooping overhead to a carpet of wildflowers beneath your feet, there is always something to see on or from the Clumps. Listen for the spring birdsong, marvel at the busy bees and butterflies during the summer, admire the magnificent autumnal colours, or take in the wonderful wintry views.

History​

The Clumps are steeped in history, with Roman, Bronze Age and Iron Age evidence being found on site. The curved ramparts of Castle Hill date from the Iron Age, though archaeological work has shown that it was also a Bronze Age settlement; it is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The name Wittenham Clumps come from the ‘clumps’ of beech trees which crown both hills; these are the oldest known planted hilltop beeches in England, dating back over 300 years. This famous landmark has been known by many names over the years, from Berkshire Bubs, reflecting the fact that the Wittenham Clumps once fell within the county of Berkshire, to the slightly unusual Mother Dunch’s Buttocks, a name which refers to a lady of the Dunch family who owned Little Wittenham Manor in the 17th century. They are also known as the Sinodun Hills".

I enjoyed the virtual trip Johnny
Thanks for sharing

My wife's father was born in Dorchester

My parents live in Dorchester ... Ontario ... which is very close to London.
London has a river running trough it called Thames River.
My sister lives in Stratford which has the Avon River.
I live in Cornwall, used to work in Winchester, had to drive trough Ingleside.
We go to Lancaster often.

I think I'll be right at home in England

 

[Johnnythefox]

I enjoyed the virtual trip Johnny
Thanks for sharing



My parents live in Dorchester ... Ontario ... which is very close to London.
London has a river running trough it called Thames River.
My sister lives in Stratford which has the Avon River.
I live in Cornwall, used to work in Winchester, had to drive trough Ingleside.
We go to Lancaster often.

I think I'll be right at home in England

It is a bit confusing when the same name is used in different country's.
My first deployment (tour) in Northern Ireland was at Moscow camp in Belfast.

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[Greasepiggy]

.

 

[Johnnythefox]

The wife and I and some friends went to Ocracroake Island on Friday for a thing and some R&R. Nature decided to throw a Nor’easter at us so the ferry closed,
and the road beyond the ferry is closed from ocean over wash anyway,
So we had to stay longer than we expected to
DARN!!

Went to the beach - wind gusts to 50 or 60 mph - and saw some flowers and driftwood. But really just relaxing and enjoying some time away from the kids.

View attachment 1677049View attachment 1677050

Don’t know what these flowers are called but I see them in on the dunes every time we go to
the outer banks.



View attachment 1677051View attachment 1677052View attachment 1677053

And… knife content.

View attachment 1677054

What no one sunbathing?

looks very peaceful,love the old wood.

 

[RayseM]

What no one sunbathing?

looks very peaceful,love the old wood.

Sun bathing???? No need, the high velocity sand would have polished off all the tan. It could have been an good opportunity to clean off some calluses though. I have been so miserable on beaches under those kind of wind conditions. I don't venture out on such days anymore. Pretty though G Greasepiggy

 

[Greasepiggy]

Yeah the wind and spray was colder than I’d like for sunbathing, the sandblaster effect is real too. I guess if I had some tattoos I wanted removed it would be good though! Had a good dinner of Fish Tacos and oyster Po’ Boys in a bar made outta plywood - good stuff! Never been to the island before, it is pretty peaceful and I think we’ll be back

 

[Rose and Thistle Custom]

 

[Johnnythefox]

Just outside Stratford upon Avon,kicking leaves and ambling around.

 

[CelloDan]

Just outside Stratford upon Avon,kicking leaves and ambling around.

In Stratford … Ontario … a couple Christmases ago … just kicking leaves and ambling around by the Avon River

 

[Johnnythefox]

In Stratford … Ontario … a couple Christmases ago … just kicking leaves and ambling around by the Avon River

looking good.

 

[Rose and Thistle Custom]

 

[Magizm7]

One of my favourite dog walking spots (and Ellie's) with the Campsie Fells and Dumgoyne Hill in the background.

 

[Johnnythefox]

One of my favourite dog walking spots (and Ellie's) with the Campsie Fells and Dumgoyne Hill in the background.

Very beautiful,who put handlebars on that cows head?

 

[Just Tom.]

I pedaled my bike 10 miles to the C&O canal Sunday, then another 18 or so leisurely miles along the canal to this campsite:

I had the place to myself it seemed, but as I discovered at sunset it was also home to a whole pack of coyotes. I had seen their tracks in the mud on the river bank along with the usual deer and raccoon tracks, but I didn’t realize they were going to spend the night with me. I didn’t ever see them, but they were probably within a hundred feet or so, judging by the noise.

Coyotes are fairly recent arrivals to this part of the country, and I had no idea just how much racket they could make. It seemed like every time I started to drift off to sleep, I would hear a howl in the distance, and that was my neighbors’ cue to start howling and yipping again.

View along the towpath:

The next day I rode back down to the place where I first accessed the towpath and camped there. Didn’t catch any fish, but it was a beautiful afternoon and I didn’t really care:

Took this picture from my campsite the next morning as soon as it was light enough:

Sorry no exciting knife pics. I brought my usual EDC, which handled all the camp chores easily - food prep, carved a stick to fit around the handlebar stem and brake cables to make an impromptu front rack for my blanket roll, cut some string, punctured a can of evaporated milk for my morning coffee, etc.

 

[Johnnythefox]

I pedaled my bike 10 miles to the C&O canal Sunday, then another 18 or so leisurely miles along the canal to this campsite:

I had the place to myself it seemed, but as I discovered at sunset it was also home to a whole pack of coyotes. I had seen their tracks in the mud on the river bank along with the usual deer and raccoon tracks, but I didn’t realize they were going to spend the night with me. I didn’t ever see them, but they were probably within a hundred feet or so, judging by the noise.

Coyotes are fairly recent arrivals to this part of the country, and I had no idea just how much racket they could make. It seemed like every time I started to drift off to sleep, I would hear a howl in the distance, and that was my neighbors’ cue to start howling and yipping again.

View along the towpath:

The next day I rode back down to the place where I first accessed the towpath and camped there. Didn’t catch any fish, but it was a beautiful afternoon and I didn’t really care:

Took this picture from my campsite the next morning as soon as it was light enough:

Sorry no exciting knife pics. I brought my usual EDC, which handled all the camp chores easily - food prep, carved a stick to fit around the handlebar stem and brake cables to make an impromptu front rack for my blanket roll, cut some string, punctured a can of evaporated milk for my morning coffee, etc.

Looks like a relaxing time.

 

[Just Tom.]

Looks like a relaxing time.

Thanks, it was. I had only a half-formed plan when I left, and was determined not to stick to it. I still got up before dawn each day, but the first morning I relit the fire, lounged around until after sunup, made a big breakfast, then cleaned and packed up slowly. I gathered a bunch of wood and kindling for the next visitor, and didn’t leave the campsite until nearly ten.

Folks seem to be very friendly and talkative when outdoors on a nice day, and I stopped and had 10- to 15-minute conversations with at least a half-dozen other bikers, runners, walkers, bird-watchers, and what-not.