Wednesday April 3rd Long walk led by Jeane Richards
A circular starting at the Pink and Lily Pub, Pink Road and just over 8 miles.
The walk started from the Pink and Lily car park and round to Lily Bottom Lane, then right onto Grim’s Ditch. As it had been raining for a couple of days before, the lane was very boggy. We managed to walk in the parallel field for some of the way and that gave some respite. After crossing Kiln Lane, we went up the hill and turned left through a gate and into a very muddy field. The views were pleasant on top of the ridge, looking down on Highwood Bottom and towards Speen on the far ridge. There were several more muddy fields before we reached Turnip End and then walked down into the valley to Flowers Bottom. By this part of the walk we had already climbed over six of the nine stiles expected throughout this walk.
Continuing along the valley till we reached North Dean, we crossed the road, through a hedge and up the other side of North Dean. Still plenty of mud climbing the steep hill, through Pigotts Wood and left along the ridge towards Speen. After a quick break with good views looking down on Upper North Dean, we walked through a field of sheep and cute lambs so of course a photo opportunity. We bypassed Speen village, past the Scouts’ hut, over to Monkton Wood and onto Great Hampden and Hampden House. Yet more mud through the Woods so when we reached Redlands End we continued on the verge of Pink Road back to the Pink and Lily. This allowed us to avoid the anticipated mud on the planned route through Hillock Wood.
It’s always good to finish with the anticipation of lunch and the Pink and Lily didn’t disappoint. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered. Despite the muddy conditions, the weather was good, so plenty to be thankful for.
Monday April 8th stroll led by Brendan Larkin
Eleven people turned out on the walk at Chinnor to-day. Weather was near perfect. Took Sydenham in on the way around, a pretty village. No cattle but quite a lot of mud.
Friday April 19th medium walk led by David Brown
Nettlebed and Nuffield ‘’Bluebell Walk’’
Our party of 15 walkers pre-ordered lunches, then started at 9.30 am from The White Hart Hotel in Nettlebed. The weather was a reasonably warm 12 C with light cloud. Initially we walked to Manor Farm, past the ‘Cheese Shed Café’, onto Howberry Wood with our first bluebell sightings. We soon joined a bridle path, running between two hedges, that led to a wide panorama of bluebells and white wood anemones, before entering Nuffield Village.
At Nuffield church, as is now a custom, we took time to view the graves of the famous TV presenter and broadcaster Sir David Frost and William Morris (Lord Nuffield) founder of the Morris motor group. The Church, which is conveniently on the Ridgeway National Trail, provides self-service refreshments including tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits. We also discovered that a Portaloo is available in the churchyard. Our group took advantage of these welcome and kind facilities and donated in return.
Suitably refreshed, our route then joined The Ridgeway path across Huntercombe Golf Course and down through open fields before we reached the Chiltern Way. We continued our walk on a winding woodland path surrounded by drifts of superb bluebells contrasting with the fresh unfolding fresh green beech leaves and white stitchwort flowers.
Our path continued along Digberry Lane and on to Nuffield Common, with yet more bluebells. Soon we reached Nettlebed High Street and arrived, just after 1 pm at The White Hart hotel again. Here we again enjoyed a friendly welcome and good food and drink, in a private dining room which the hotel specially provided.