A sign at the bottom of Lodge Hill directs walkers to Radley 1½ miles away. But first the walk crosses a ditch and goes diagonally across what is currently a very boggy field…
before joining a tree-lined bridleway along the top of the hill.

The path dips down towards Radley College. A sign welcomes you and your dog but requests you to keep to the path, down the alley of trees and then along the main school road.There is an extensive golf course used by students of Radley College.

Near the college lake you will pass this tree. It looks like something out of Harry Potter. I kept an eye on that trailing branch, should it proove to be the Womping Willow.
The walk then passes through the college with its many red brick buildings: this one is called ‘A’ Social. Public Schools, from Hogwarts onwards, are a bit of a mystery to me.

From there, you can continue back to Abingdon via Radley, or return the way you came, if you want to brave the Womping Willow twice in a day. For more walks around Abingdon visit Abingdon Walks.

At Trinity today we started it all off by singing “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel” and the first Candle on the Advent Crown was lit.
Next week there is a Gift Service where people bring gifts to put under the tree. Here are people taking gift hints and tags from the Christmas tree. I got a very simple one “Please buy felt pens for a resident of …… …… … Bring to the gift service on 10th December. Thank you.“

On Sale in the Guildhall are Charity Christmas Cards. This selection is pinned to the Guildhall noticeboard.
The cards are arranged alphabetically by charity round the Old Council Chamber: … Care, Cancer Research UK, British Red Cross, British Heart Foundation…
Down the middle are wrapping papers, gift bags, and small trinkets.

The chandeliers were mounted fifty years ago as part of the 400th Charter celebrations.

The largest removal firm in Abingdon is Robinsons. They can be found near the A34 Marcham interchange, down Nuffield Way.

They don’t get all the jobs. An outfit called Diamond from Croydon had a shuttle of vans clearing the CPS office in Lombard Street. They were moving the crates and desks to Cowley in Oxford.
Another nearby office that has been vacated during the year is Twickenham House. The Website of the former occupants, Harding & Yorke, says ‘In October this year we moved to wonderful new offices at: The Old Stables, Manor Farm, Appleford-on-Thames.’