We walked down the Ock Valley Walk this evening. Birds were singing as it was getting dark. Every so often we walked through a cloud of midges. Last night I saw a big fish leap out of the water, but not this evening.

In Ladygrove Meadow, just off the Ock Bridge, Hatwells Fun Fair are there for the weekend. They have been coming to Abingdon for a couple of decades to my knowledge. It is good sized funfair with good rides but did not seem that busy.

We walked through the Albert Park and along Park Road and then came to the lights of Bath Street which always look good at night. The Bella Napoli was full.

We looked in at shop windows.

A rock band struck up at the Black Swan. Taxis were queued back round the Square including that yellow London-style cab. The Narrows pub and Grapes opposite looked particularly busy.

Then home. Oxfordshire Artweeks is happening so we checked out their website to see what is on tomorrow. I’m looking forward to the church service at Trinity tomorrow. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, Revd. Kevin Watson, is visiting. Then we will go to somewhere completely different for some art.

As I walked out this evening the sun had already gone down, and the air was quite smokey from one of the boats moored by the Abbey Meadows.

Over the lock, and heading back along the far bank an orange halo still showed behind the distant steeple of St Helen’s Church. Two runners came the other way.

Getting nearer Abingdon Bridge and the lights of Nags Head Island made quite a show.

Inky blue clouds were reflected in the River Thames all around.

The clocks go forward this weekend so there is every chance the evening walk next week will be in daylight.

The Boxhill Walk wood is an area of old woodland through which the River Stert passes, and is looked after by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council.

It has a couple of curious bridges. One that is now overgrown.

Another is made from concrete pipes and functions as the main walkway from Boxhill Walk (the road) to Boxhill Road (another road).

The area is left to itself. Fallen trees are sometimes left to decay.

A tarmac path is the main way through from the town centre to the concrete pipe bridge, and is about 1/4 mile long. Anybody with more time can leave the main path and find a muddier path close to the River Stert.

The New Year Christian Aid walk was on January 2nd this year, and started from the Peachcroft Christian Centre. The day was sunny, with ice about when it started at 10 a.m.

The sponsored 6.5 mile walk, went up to Boars Hill and returned via Bayworth, stopping at Bayworth Chapel for refreshments. The walk did not clash with the Boundary Walk, as so often happens, and so some people could do both walks.