Long Walk 3rd April led by Chris Mansfield
Ten of us met at the Chequers pub, Fingest on a very cold but bright day. As we set off at 9.30am the sun came out and was with us most of the day. We started by going along the lane opposite the pub, passing the village pound before turning off onto an easy flat path along the edge of woodland. After about a mile we turned off left along a woodland path to join a track then a very steep uphill drive past some houses to reach the road at Ibsone. Here we tuned left to later take a path on the right into more woodland. We stopped awhile to admire the beautiful little Ibstone church and churchyard where primroses were flowering in abundance.
Continuing on our path now led us steeply downhill with excellent views as we went, then through more woodland to reach a road at the entrance to the Wormsley Estate. We stopped here for a short coffee break, resting on conveniently placed logs for seats but it was too cold to linger so we soon set off again. Now we had another steep hill up into Idlecombe Woods soon turning off the uphill path to take a contour path around the hill before turning gently uphill again to reach Turville Court. Here we turned left to walk across fields and down towards Turville with wonderful views all around. Before reaching Turville we turned away to climb up into Poynats Wood, there to follow a contour path before descending steeply into Skirmett. Now with just one more hill we climbed out of Skirmett up into Adams Wood on top of the hill then turned left to reach Fingest Wood and the Fieldfare stile from which you get one of the best views in the Chilterns. Now it was all downhill back to Fingest and the pub, arriving at 1.30. A table had been reserved for us and the food, rather pricey we thought, was quickly served. After a convivial hour and a half we left the pub for the journey home – a most enjoyable day, strenuous but worth it for the many views.
Strollers 8th April– led by Sheila Lane
Rained off!
Medium Walk 12th April led by Chris Mansfield
Eleven of us met on a bright sunny but very cold morning at the Valiant Trooper in Aldbury. After giving the landlord our orders for lunch we set off at about 9.45 out of the village and across fields where we had wide views as we headed towards Cow Roast. After crossing the very busy railway line we joined the Grand Union canal at Cow Roast lock to walk along it northwards for a couple of miles. It was very beautiful and peaceful walking along – the highlight being to see a kingfisher flying at speed just above the canal – what a rare sight! After a short coffee break we left the canal turning right along a track to reach a road. Along the way we encountered groups of young people who were hiking with maps, carrying all the gear necessary for camping – our paths converged and diverged a few times. On reaching the road we turned right for a short distance then turned off leftt to take a bridle path past Northfield Grange and then after a short uphill,l followed a contour path around Pitstone Hill with wonderful long views. Eventually this contour path turned uphill quite steeply to reach the Ridgeway on top. After a short breather we turned sharp right to walk along the Ridgeway now heading back towards Aldbury, later descending through woodland and the Nature Reserve Akdbury Nowers. At the bottom we left the Ridgeway to take another woodland path then on across a golf course to reach the road at Albury then on back to the Valiant Trooper for lunch, arriving at 1.45. A table had been reserved for us and our pre-ordered food came very quickly and was very good value. After an hour or so of eating, drinking and jolly chatter we left the pub to drive home – a lovely walk on a beautiful, if cold, day.
Shakespeare Way April 18th
Britwell Salome to Southend, 10 miles (more like 9)
Twelve of us met in the small hamlet of Southend on a beautiful sunny Spring day. The mini bus arrived at 9am and we all piled on to be driven to Britwell Salome where we finished last time. We set off at 9.30am to walk through the village then on up a gently rising path to reach the Ridgeway where we turned left to walk along it. It was beautiful walking along with wide views, birds singing in the trees and primroses, cowslips and early bluebells to be seen. After half a mile we left the ridgeway to take a very pleasant winding footpath up through woodland to finally reach the top of Britwell hill having come up in a roundabout way. We stopped for a coffee break sitting on some convenient logs then continued on to reach the green at the village of Cookley Green where we joined the Chiltern Way. Our path now led us down a beautiful valley – leaves just coming out on the trees and early bluebell beneath – a very pretty sight. But soon the main challenge of he day loomed into view – a very steep hill to climb out of the valley to reach Maidensgrove. We took our time, admiring the views as we went and soon reached the village and the Five Horseshoes for lunch, arriving at 12.15, 45 minutes before I had estimated. The pub was very busy and we opted to eat outside but the food came surprising quickly and we enjoyed eating and drinking with wonderful views in the sunshine. The menu was a bit limited and pricey but most people enjoyed what they ordered. We set off again just before 2pm to walk along the Common then down a lane in Maidensgrove before turning off across a field to reach Park Wood then on downhill to arrive in Stonor. After a short walk along the road we turned up into the grounds of Stonor Park, steeply uphill at first but soon levelling out with some more short uphills later. The views were glorious and the surrounding area very quiet and peaceful. Finally we walked out of the Estate to reach the road at Southend where our cars were waiting for us, arriving at 3.20pm. Another very successful walk on such a lovely day.