Leaving from the Dutch style Ashdown House built in 1662 by Earl William Craven as a house fit for the queen he loved, Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia, we wandered through the deciduous woodland of the estate before taking to Green Lanes
leading to the Ridgeway and Wayland’s Smithy where we were well entertained by National Trust ranger Andy Foley with the legends of Wayland as well as the archaeological findings from the Barrow. A wonderful lunch spot.
After lunch we returned to the Ridgeway traveling west before heading south alongside an enormous field of wheat. This area was an airfield in WW2.
Passing back through the Ha-ha the long drive back down the Avenue was enlivened by Sue J and Sue R having a race on their Supersports – brought on by memories of the original use of the Wenman Trophy as a prize for the fastest crossing of the Ridgeway end-to-end over two days as told to us by Wenman’s salesman Bob Owen who came on the ramble with us. The race ended in a draw.
Moving on to Warnage Wood at Wadborough, we located the area of trees dedicated to the memory of Mike Longbottom. We were delighted that Mike’s daughter, Georgina, and a large group of her friends and family were able to be with us as Mike’s friend, Tom Bindoff, gave us a moving insight into the life of Mike. Then to the Cross Keys to celebrate an excellent day’s rambling.
