Wednesday February 7th Long walk led by Peter West
We met at The Whip Inn at Lacey Green to commence our 7 ½ mile walk. The day was fine although overcast, and we were lucky that no rain was predicted. However, there had been heavy rain the day before which brought the prospect of mud on many of the paths.
We set off down Loosley Hill and along Foundry Lane to turn off on the footpath down past the equestrian centre at Collins Farm. We crossed the A4010 and continued on to turn right on the footpath which led to the Upper Icknield Way. Here we met our first encounter with mud on the field exit to the road. After a short distance on the road, we turned off left on to the footpath through the garden of a large house to pick up the Ridgeway Path. We followed this path past the golf club to skirt the edge of Lodge Hill. Over level ground, we made our way to Manor Farm and then on across fields to Haw Lane.
We crossed the A4010 again to begin the long, gentle, climb back up to Lacey Green. This took us on a path from Small Dean Farm up to Callows Hill with splendid views over the valley to the left. Turning right, we took a path leading towards Promised Land farm, and then joined a track eventually leading us to Lacey Green. A short walk along the main road brought us back to The Whip. We were pleased that most paths were not as muddy as was expected.
We had a good meal in The Whit where they had set up one table for the ten of us who had decided to stay for lunch. Thankfully, there were not the problems that we had encountered when stopping for lunch there on the ‘recce’ walk. All in all, a thoroughly pleasant day.
Monday February 12th stroll led by Brendan Larkin
Glorious weather. hardly any mud but only seven of us. Walked the route in reverse to add? a bit of interest. It is still a good walk.
Friday February 16th medium walk led by Angela Wall
14 walkers and, Megan the dog, assembled at The Fox and Hounds pub at Christmas Common before setting out along the road for a short distance to the NT car park on the top of Watlington Hill. Taking the path to the left of the car park, we ambled down a lovely path lined in places with ancient yew trees and with some glorious views. The sun shone (hooray!) and we descended to a road along which we walked for a short distance until we came to path on the left leading into a field. By now the sun was high in the sky and we were all feeling its welcome warmth. Taking the track to Dame Alice’s farm, we soon turned left on a shady path leading eventually to a house called Dumble Dore. Crossing the road and walking on the edge of a field of sheep, we came upon out first gradual climb through woods where many trees had been felled leaving convenient logs for us to rest for a while. Another gradual uphill climb brought us to a small gate in the wall and into Greenfield. Crossing the road to the Tree Barn, a track led us steeply down through woods to another track where we turned left and followed it to the bottom of the valley. A short, sharp, uphill path led us into a delightful wooded area where the sun shining through the beech trees highlighted their beautiful silvery trunks. On reaching a rather boggy silvan glade, we took our last short, sharp, uphill path and eventually reached Hollandridge Lane. Avoiding the puddles and mud, we walked along the lane for about a mile until we came to Christmas Common and returned to the Fox and Hounds pub for lunch. The pub was full and very busy and although we had to wait a while, when the food arrived it was delicious and worth the wait. Good weather, good company, good food and lovely countryside made this a “grand day out”.