Long Walk 5th February led by Angela Wall
Thirteen of us assembled at Hughenden Manor church car park on a cold, crisp and misty winter morning. We set off by walking up the field to the left of the church and on to the lane to the Manor. Reluctantly passing the entrance to the café and shop, we took the wide path leading down through the woods and out into the open with what would have been good views over the countryside if they hadn’t been hidden by the thick mist! We turned left down into the valley and when we reached the bottom of the valley, turned right along a track until we came out into a field which we crossed and into a lane. Turning left, we followed the lane uphill to Hunts Hill where we took the track on the right and then crossed a short muddy path on to a lane behind houses. This was the first mud we had met but it was a foretaste of things to come! We followed the lane for about half a mile until we entered woods at Naphill Common where we took a broad path which led into Naphill Woods and then on to Bradenham Woods. It was very muddy, but there was space on either side of the path where we could find drier land. Eventually the track led us downhill to Bradenham, where we stopped for a break sitting on the seats overlooking the cricket ground in full sunshine.
Our route then took us across the main road to a gate and a thickly-mudded path under the railway bridge and then uphill to Nobles Farm on the ridge. Turning left, the path at first was fairly dry but then became filled with massive puddles which made walking tricky, but eventually we managed to reach the top of West Wycombe Hill. The sun was still shining as we crossed to the churchyard and on to the path leading past the mausoleum and steeply downhill to the caves. We turned left on the lane and then took the path leading to the lane through the archway to the High Street in West Wycombe. Turning left, we walked along the busy A40 until the Pedestal Roundabout and then crossed the Bradenham Road to Cookshall Lane. We walked up the lane and eventually took a right fork and followed the track up a holloway for about a mile until we reached Downley Common. The climb was steady but rather long and was tiring because of the mud, so we were all glad when we reached the top! After crossing the cricket ground, which gave us a chance to clean out boots, we turned left and arrived at Le Despencers Arms for lunch. Feeling refreshed after a rest and good food, we made our way back to Hughenden down through the woods and up to the Manor. We were all in good spirits as we walked in fine weather down through the field to the car park after an invigorating 8 mile walk.
Strollers 10th February –led by Sheila Lane
We met at The Swan at Kimble, 6 of us, and had a good walk over the hills and back again; We all stayed for lunch and enjoyed the morning. We walked in sunshine and good weather and were very fortunate as the afternoon brought heavy rain.
Medium Walk 14th February led by John Stallwood
13 of us met at The Wheel pub at Naphill and set off in good weather at 9.30am. First crossing the main road and walking down to Naphill Common, we turned right and continued right up to former RAF houses. Here we turned left (leader hoping he had chosen the correct path from a multiple choice) and continued through woods to the Walters Ash Rd. After crossing the road we walked on a large semi-circular route through woods and fields to reach Bradenham church and common. At the bottom of the green we had to negotiate a large puddle on the lane leading to the A4010 – but no wet feet thank goodness! We walked along the road and after a few hundred yards crossed to an long uphill track past Averingdown Farm and into woodland where we stopped at a path junction for a “coffee” break. After the break we turned left along onto a more level path leading towards West Wycombe giving fine views after leaving the woods. We finally arrived at the A40 in West Wycombe and walked along it to reach the Pedestal (not a Roman mile post as many believe but it is several centuries old). We then walked uphill on Cooksall Lane for about a mile, later taking a more gently sloping path on the right leading us back to Naphill Common and then the road at Naphill and the pub for lunch, arriving at about 12.50. Nice pub, good beer, pleasant service, food not bad but not impressed with my choice, soup. Bob and Helleena joined us for lunch so 15 of us sat down at our reserved table to eat, drink and chat.
The walk was 6 ½ miles long and was very pleasant even if a little muddy in places. The weather was kind which was a bonus after all the wet and windy weather earlier in the week and everybody enjoyed it.
Short Walk 24th February – led by Pat Fowler
Despite the unpromising weather 8 of us met in Lewknor for a 4 ½ mile walk. We started by walking up Hill Road heading for the Ridgeway. On reaching The Ridgeway we turned right which was a mistake as we were heading into a very strong wind. Turning off The Ridgeway it became calmer as we walked diagonally across a large grass field, then headed up rising ground with the hill going up to Cowleaze Wood ahead of us. The hill became quite steep but the going underfoot was good and we took our time. After crossing the Christmas Common road we entered the wood and after a left turn walked along a wide grassy track then heading back to cross over Christmas Common road again. More walking through fields and if the weather had been better we would have bad lovely views towards Oxford. The track then took us downhill to Hill Farm. We then walked along the lane back over B4009, by now the rain was annoying and we were glad to get back to the Leathern Bottle.
Capital Ring Leg 1 February 27th Woolwich to Falconwood
Twelve intrepid explorers assembled at Great Missenden Station to catch the 9.16 train to Marylebone excited about the prospect of starting another big project. This time we were setting out on the first leg of the Capital Ring around London. After a trouble-free and varied journey via Marylebone, Bakerloo line to Canning Town and DLR to Woolwich Arsenal, we arrived at the start of our walk. We crossed an empty Woolwich Market and then walked through the Royal Arsenal Riverside complex until we reached the River Thames. On turning left along the Thames Path, we were met by a strong, bitter wind roaring down the river, so we walked very quickly until we reached the Thames Barrier and gratefully turned into the Visitor Centre café. After warming ourselves with hot drinks and refreshments, we reluctantly left the warmth of the café, and crossed the main road and entered Maryon Park and on to the Capital Ring trail itself. We walked through the park, climbing 115 steps and stopping to say hello to the ducks in a children’s zoo. After crossing another road, we entered Charlton Park and followed paths and minor roads until we came to Woolwich Common. After crossing the Common and the main road up Shooters Hill, we entered the woods at Eltham Common and climbed gently up through Castle Wood until we reached the highest point on the Capital Ring at Severndroog Castle. This tall tower was built in 1784 as a memorial to Sir William James, once Director of the East India Company, by his wife Lady Anne James. Just time for a quick break before we set off down steps to a terrace and along woodland paths through Jackwood into Oxleas Meadows and our lunch/snack stop at the Pavillion Café. Our path now took us along more woodland paths through Oxleas Wood, until we reached Eltham Park and along the road to Falconwood Station. Whilst waiting for the train to Charing Cross, we enjoyed watching a fox nonchalantly inspecting the opposite platform for scraps.
After a journey of about 30 minutes along the side of the Thames with views of the buildings on the South Bank, we arrived at Charing Cross Station before 5.00pm. We turned right after leaving the station and then right again into Craven Street and walked a short distance before turning right into Craven Passage. The pub we had planned to visit for a meal, The Ship(t) and Shovel, was crammed full of men having after-work drinks and there appeared to be no restaurant. We decided to walk a little further and found The Sherlock Holmes pub, which was also full of boozy blokes, but had an upstairs restaurant which was superb. It even had a small enclosed room full of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia. The staff were not fazed by 12 much-travelled walkers wandering in and ordering meals, and excellent food was served quickly by very pleasant staff. It was lovely to be able to sit and chat in good company at the end of the walk before our homeward journey. Finally, we travelled on the Bakerloo line from Charing Cross to Marylebone and caught g the train to Great Missenden, arriving home before 8.00pm. A super day with a most interesting walk through parts of London that we didn’t know existed!