Wednesday February 1st Long walk led by Angela Wall
After a week or two of wet weather and flooded fields in the Thame Valley, the planned walk was in some doubt. However, the sun was shining and fields had dried out and the mud was less liquid, so with a few adjustments, the walk went ahead more or less as planned. Seventeen of us met at The Bell in Chearsley and we set off along the road to Chilton and soon took a path on the left which led behind Chearsley Hill House with fine views across the valley. When we met the road again, we turned left towards Chilton and walked downhill enjoying the wonderful views. At the foot of the hill, we took a path on the right and over a stile into a cultivated field. As the path across the field was not visible and the farmer’s crop was emerging, we decided to walk round the edge. After walking across and round several fields, we crossed the road to Wombwell’s farm.
Another stile and we walked past the farm and down to another stile. A walk along the bottom of the hill took us to yet another stile; these stiles were a bit tricky and with a large group time passed slowly as we struggled over them. A climb up a steep, grassy hill until a gate at the top and after a stop to look at the splendid view behind us, we walked along a track to College farm. After a slurp through farmyard mud and a climb over a double-whammy stile into a field, we eventually arrived in Long Crendon. A pit stop and rest in the churchyard and then we were ready to complete the walk. Walking downhill past the Manor House, the path led us to the River Thame past Notley Abbey and then up to Notley Farm and dovecote. We walked through a wooded area, some fields and over the railway to arrive back in Chearsley. A warm welcome was waiting for us at The Bell; a great traditional pub with excellent food and atmosphere. A great walk with good scenery, good company and good food.
Monday February 13th stroll led by Susan Atkinson
Sixteen people met at the Naphill village hall where there was free parking and plenty of places. It was a lovely day thank goodness, clear blue skies and sunny.
I did what I call the five pond walk, taking us through the woods. We went through a gate at one point, which Ron Collins, a friend of mine, had put in as it was his late wife’s favourite spot. We walked through the field and the sun was really warm. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the walk and eleven stayed for coffee/lunch in the village hall afterwards.
We had had such a dry spell, so no real muddy patches, making it a pleasure to walk.
Friday February 17th medium walk led by Sue Styles
Ten members left the Princes Risborough area at 9 am arriving at the Frog PH at Skirmett at 9.30 am. It was a breezy but pleasant day with intermittent sunshine. The proposed walk was to have been just under six miles but due to unforeseen circumstances, had to be modified. This walk was slightly longer at just over seven miles but the anticipated very steep hill had been omitted. We started from Skirmett and walked up through woods towards Fingest then passing Fingest Church, we took a level path to Turville to walk through part of the village. From here we took a path up towards Ibstone but Just after entering the woods we found some convenient dry logs for our coffee break. After this we continued steadily up through the woods in the direction of Ibstone but turned off at the turning for Turville Church.walking through the churchyard where there was a beautiful display of snowdrops. We then gradually descended to the valley bottom and continued on through woods and across fields and ascending a further two short hills before returning to Skirmett. On this last section we spotted a herd of Roe deer running across the field in front of us. With the exception of one member who had to leave for an appointment we all enjoyed a very pleasant lunch at The Frog PH before returning home.