Pillboxes, thrills and heartache!

The addiction continues in what is a lovely area and what an excellent day to dust off the bike. I actually managed to cycle to most of the pillboxes on view with me only having to walk to two in a field of cows which thankfully kept a respectful distance. I parked the car up in a lay by close to Dorchester On Thames and finally after checking GE to get my location i set off for the first type 28 which was out on the A4074, sat close to the road and sat behind the hedge and down a bank. I still managed to miss out 2 type 28's, one for not want of trying and the other simply because i failed to check GE and register it was further up the road and could have been a quick win. As i always say - next time i am out there!! I have now plotted further westwards on the Thames and get to my next start off point which is the AT pimples at Lower Appleton Common. The great thing about cycling or walking the route is being able to get off the beaten track and actually see and explore the sites of the villages taking in the churches (always photograph these) and the village war memorials. There are normally other scenic areas that catch my eye as i love rural England. Anyhow - i digress.

PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/28A): S0012035

A bit of a beast to get through to, i ended up having to cut my way through the hedge in an area that has the least resistance. I'm pretty sure i drew a few strange looks off people in their cars as they drove past, but what the hell.

I love Church architecture!

I then walked back to the car and dug the bike out, working my route and how to cut through the rear of Dorchester On Thames to get to the two type 28's. Dyke Hills a remarkably well-preserved Iron Age oppidum of around 25 hectares to the south of the town, delimited by the Thames to the west and south, the Thame to the east and by impressive ditch and bank earthworks to the north. The dykes are largely intact and located at both ends of this historical site are the two type 28's i was after. It was a pleasant cycle ride out to them both along public right of way tracks but at the speed i was cycling at i had to be on my game as one error along the narrow tracks and i was probably going to get to familiar with the barbed wire fencing.

PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/28A): S0007160
Overlooking the Thames and north of Little Wittenham and Day's Lock.

Cutting back along the cycle path it was a straight cycle ride over to the opposite end of the track where the other type 28 was located. I did get a tut tut from a couple of old ladies due to my top off action and they kept a wary eye on me.

PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/28A): S0012034

Very clean and facing towards the River Thame. It also has an interesting camber to the roof entrance to the rear.

LOOPHOLED WALL
Loopholed wall in the Manor House, Little Wittenham - next to the church. It covers the path from Little Wittenham Bridge (a footbridge) near Day's Lock. I stopped off here for a ciggie and drink to cool down, take in the church which had it spire under reconstruction and just enjoy the late afternoon sun. The old manor house was demolished and rebuilt but is now a grade 2 listed building with the original having an interesting historical connection to the church.

I then failed to locate the Type 28 which should be sat behind College Farm but will be back for this. The undergrowth was really treacherous with bales of hay and piles of muck making my journey nigh on impossible. The joke of it is if i had carried on another 10ft or so i would have spotted the pillbox!. Oh well.

Continuing the cycle up to Long Wittenham and passing the derelict farm (in itself a possible explore for someone) i then cycled up to the approaches to New Barn Farm. Sat on the approach to the 28 sat on the bend on the road are 6 AT blocks and evidence of the remains of a roadblock. Again the low level of the sun threw some excellent shadows for me , picking up the detail in the corrugated AT blocks.

ANTI TANK BLOCKS: S0012030

Putting up distainfully with the two yapping dogs which appeared from the property next to the farm buildings i carried on regardless.

PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/28A): S0007173

Heading up to Clifton Hampden to get to Clifton Lock and the last three pillboxes of the day, located on the left side and on the river bank of the Thames i caught the hint of concrete through the trees as i cycled past and stopped off to take in the AT blocks. Someone has set fire to tyres in the middle of the blocks.

ANTI TANK BLOCK: S0007379
There are 8 AT blocks in total.

PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/28A): S0012029

Not wishing to take the easier option of photographing from the opposite bank, i cycled to Clifton Lock and asked permission to view the pillbox in the rear of the garden. The embrasure would have covered the AT ditch and blocks on the opposite bank of the Thames. The owner was really accommodating and explained that the pillbox was sealed off due to it being used for personal use. Pressure off i could take a good view of the pillbox.