Wednesday April 6th Long walk led by Peter West
The lady due to lead this walk was unable to do so through injury, and therefore Peter volunteered to lead a walk that he had already checked out. However, this was only 6 miles long rather than the 8 or so miles normally expected on a U3A Long Walk. We started walking from the Black Horse pub in Lacey Green on a day that was fine but overcast. We headed off down Kiln Lane and, when we arrived at Kingswood House, we were surprised to see a fully rigged old-fashioned sailing ship ‘moored’ in the garden. Speculation was rife on how it got there and why it was there. Shortly afterwards, we turned off uphill on a track that took us to Monkton Wood. Turning right, we followed the path along the side of the wood to cross a road and pass houses on a un-paved road on the edge of Speen. From there, we headed up hill towards Pigot’s Wood. Pausing for a coffee break, we have fine views over the valley and the village of Upper North Dean.
Descending to the village, we took a path across fields that brought us to Flower’s Bottom. We then faced the long uphill path that took us to Turnip End. From there, we could see across the valley to Highwood Bottom where one of our group lived. He was able to give us details of the various houses we could see and who lived in them. Continuing on, we picked our way through the garden of one of the houses, the route having been marked out with white tape. It was then only a fairly short walk before we were back on Kiln lane. We had a pleasant meal at the Black Horse having been joined by the lady who would have been our leader. All in all, an enjoyable morning’s walk.
Monday April 11th stroll led by Elizabeth Rouse
Today eleven of us had a very pleasant 3 mile sunny walk starting at the now closed William IV pub in Speen. We walked through woods down into the valley at Flowers Bottom before a gentle climb up for good views over Highwood Bottom. We then descended to the lane at Highwood Bottom.and after 1/2 mile we turned into woods for a steady climb back to Speen. We admired many fine houses along Gubbins Lane before walking through the children’s bike park where we then returned to the William IV via the pretty Speen lanes.
Friday April 15th Good \Friday – no walk