So we got a whole load of snow on Friday here in Reading. This meant that I was not able to get out for a ride this weekend. Rather than sit around on sofa on Sunday – I decided to go out for a hike and try out my Camino shoes in the snow! Not that there will be any of the white stuff in Spain in July and August! Hopped on bus to Theale and then set off past Hosehill Lake and it’s wintering flock of Greylag Geese and Pochards! Even saw a Fieldfare foraging through the snow in the meadow. Then up past the church at Sulhampsted Abbots, I found a stunning snow-covered footpath around the edge of Burghfield and then on to Calleva Roman town at Silchester. There is something magical about walking on ancient pathways at any time of the year, particularly Roman ones. In the snow, it is even more spiritual. As I walked across the Drove Way, I imagined home the Roman residents would have felt this far north in the bitter snow fields of a Berkshire February!
After circling the very pleasant, but deep with snow, Silchester Trail I made my way on to Bramley just in time for the 4.15 train back to Reading.
21.85km in 5 h 13 m – not too bad, shoes felt great and pace ok even in up to 8 inches of snow in places!
My Long Walk 2019 