Long Walk 6th February led by Chris Mansfield
Eight of us met at the Shepherd’s Hut, Ewelme on a surprisingly dry and at times, even sunny, day despite the forecast earlier in the week predicting lots of rain. We set off at 9.30 to take a field path along the back of the village to later reach a village road. We continued along the road, passing the beautiful, large church then later taking a public footpath leading alongside a very large area full of pigs! The pigs were very curious and stopped feeding to watch us – some had piglets but these were somewhat hidden behind barricades around the pig sties – obviously there to keep the little ones from straying off. After the pigs we continued on along the path, now going downhill to reach the road. After a short time on the road we turned off to walk along a pleasant woodland footpath with views of Britwell Salome House in the distance eventually arriving at North Farm and a junction with the Ridgeway.
Here we turned right to follow the Ridgeway clambering up and down a couple of hills before reaching a lane at Swyncombe which we followed down to church – a wonderful sight with snowdrops and winter aconites blooming in the churchyard – even the sun came out! After a coffee break and a visit to the church we set off again, still on the Ridgeway to climb steeply out of the valley to reach Ewelme Park. Here we turned right off the Ridgeway but not before we had admired the fake ‘Elizabethan’ Manor a few yards ahead. Now it was mostly downhill all the way with wide views over the surrounding countryside though the going was very soft and did not make for easy walking. Down in the valley we followed an ancient ‘Green’ lane – Grindon Lane – for nearly a mile, then crossed Cow Common to reach the road in Ewelme which we followed for nearly a mile to arrive back at the Shepherd’s Hut at 1.30pm. After changing out of our muddy footwear we went into the pub where a table had been reserved for us. The food was good and quickly served (no pre-ordering) and we spent a happy hour and a half eating and putting the world to rights. At 3pm we set off to drive home – a very successful day.
Strollers 11th February– led by Sheila Lane
A fine, bright, breezy morning greeted six of us as we met for a Strollers walk on New road. We walked along Brimmers Road, then branched off to the right intending to walk through Horsenden and back again. However, our leader got somewhat lost so we ended up walking through fields and back to our cars another way. At one point we found ourselves walking through the Secondary School Playground, but were intercepted and told to go back from whence we had come which we did rapidly!
We all enjoyed being outdoors and active for over 2 hours, so the morning was voted an enjoyable success.
Medium Walk 15th February led by Angela Wall
The morning was damp and foggy when we set off from The Full Moon at Cholesbury, but very soon the mist cleared and we were treated to a wonderfully warm day with clear blue skies and sunshine. We walked down the lane past the windmill and took a path on the right at the bottom of the small valley. After a while the path led us over a stile into a field with friendly horses and eventually after crossing more paddocks we reached a road and Dundridge Manor. Turning left into the main drive, we walked past drifts of snowdrops which positively sparkled in the sunlight and came to the drawbridge to the manor. We turned right opposite the drawbridge and, after crossing a few stiles and fields, we came to the lovely St. Leonard’s church in the village of the same name. After crossing the road junction, we entered a field and eventually took a sharp left turn on to a path that led us through a caravan park. Taking a small lane opposite the entrance to the caravan park, we turned right on to a path that led us over Grim’s Ditch and into woods. The next part of the walk partly followed the Ridgeway with a beautiful section through young trees that was quite magical. After a short break, we continued along tracks and through fields in the direction of Wiggington. Entering woods just past the mast, we walked along a broad track until we took a path on the right which led over a field to another section of Grim’s Ditch. Turning left on the lane, we passed some houses and on reaching another lane, crossed it and took a path through woods until we reached a broad track. Turning right, we entered a nature conservation area and more woods and walked until we found a path on the right that led eventually to Cholesbury Camp, an Iron Age camp which is one of the best preserved in the Chilterns. Passing through the camp we arrived at a road, turned left and walked alongside the road over the common to The Full Moon pub. A warm welcome awaited us and a good meal completed a very enjoyable walk.
Main Walk 25th February led by Sheila Lane
Beautiful day, blue sky, sunny and really warm!
Seven of us met at Marlow and walked along the river to Hurley and then back again by a different route. A wonderful outing, enjoyed by all and made special by the wonderful weather. Finished with having a light lunch in Marlow and all agreed it had been a great day.