How to Escape Your Four Walls and Socialise; Weekly Walk #26

I’ve got a few friends who, no matter how much time has passed since our last meeting, relax into an adjacent sofa and say just the right thing to make me smile. Substitute the sofa for a pair of hiking boots, and that’s exactly what it’s like to walk with the Hampshire 20s and 30s walking group. Read on to hear about our adventure and details on how to join.

This week, Mark took us on a walk skirting the edges of five villages from East Tytherley in West Hampshire, giving us a break from our day jobs to catch up about our summers (I even found out that Mark likes making music like me) and welcome new-comers into our friendly banter. I left feeling energised by an afternoon of fresh-air and like-minded conversation.

We met at 10.30 at the Star Inn and walked mostly through open fields, patches of woodland, and down a few country lanes. It was warm and I did the whole thing in my T-shirt, but made sure I bought my trusty pack for water, snacks, and just in-case waterproofs.

There were lots of refreshments on offer. We stopped at Annie’s Tea Room in Kimbridge and I had a delicious hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream. There was even a lovely farm shop where I bought a bottle of Quiver by Bowman, one of my favourite local beers.

It wouldn’t be a walk without a hair-raising trek across a field of cows after reading the dreaded sign, “Beware of Bull.” It didn’t help that my jacket is bright red. Testing the myth, I trekked across as the cows stiffly eye-balled us and mooed their warning moo. It was exciting, though the young couple passing after us didn’t seem amused by our warning jest.

Back at the Star Inn, I ordered a plate of delicious cheese and bacon potato skins and enjoyed the conversation outside with the group, fussing over the local dog and cat. For a writer stuck at his computer most days, this walk was a much needed break and adventure.

If you fancy trying a similar walk, a route can easily be mapped out using the OS Explorer 131, Romsey, Andover & Test Valley. The large car park at the Star Inn made a great starting point, and don’t forget to check out Annie’s Tea Room or even the abbey at Mottisfont.

If you’re an outdoorsy type looking for a weekend escape from your day job, then click here to find out how to join the Hampshire 20s and 30s walking group or here to view the Ramblers website and find a similar group in your area.