Long Walk 2nd January led by John Stallwood
Nine of us gathered in Monks Risborough layby at 9am for the first walk of 2019. The forecast was cloudy but no rain, but it was chilly. Menu for lunch phoned through, R-A done and off we go. We started on a familiar path towards Whiteleaf golf course, then turned right, around the base of the cross and up a steep path to the top, which blew any New Year excesses away !! We followed the edge of the wood around to a track just east of Green Hailey Farm, then straight on in the direction towards Hampden House,. but turning sharp right about half way along to take a path leading to Lily Bank farm. We did have a “coffee break” stop where we toasted the New Year and Good Walking 2019 with prosecco complete with champagne flutes !! We then walked along Lily Bottom lane through Speen to North Dean. Then on along a path through a wood to Naphill and the Wheel pub for a superb lunch. Leaving to catch the bus home we were informed that the busses were not running due to emergency road works! After hastily phoning partners to pick us up we all got home ok !!!!
An excellent walk, must do again, could easily be made longer and at a different time of year,
Strollers 14th January– led by Carole Barfoot
Thirteen strollers met in Salt Lane, Postcombe on a dry but cool day. We set off at 10.30 to walk towards the M40, then up steep steps to take a path running alongside – rather noisy but different! After about half a mile we left the M40 to take quiet paths to reach the village of Adwell pausing to look at its beautiful church with snowdrops in the Churchyard. We also admired Adwell Manor and grounds. We continued through this small village then took a field path to reach a bridge over a stream giving very picturesque views of the manor grounds and lots of daffodils!. We then retraced out steps back to the lane and following more quiet lanes completed the circuit back to the cars. Some of the group then went for lunch at the Leathern Bottle at Lewknor. A very pleasant, easy walk in an area not many people knew.
Medium Walk 11th January led by Jenny and David Brown
This was the first medium walk of the New Year and we chose a local route, given the potential for winter weather travel disruption. We met at Kings Oak Close, Monks Risborough for a 9.45 am start and eleven members, plus two owner’s enthusiastic pet dogs set off up Mill Lane on a relatively mild day with occasional sunshine. We had done a route reconnoitre at the beginning of the week and the conditions under foot were still unusually dry, but not surprising’ given so little rain has fallen over the last few weeks.
The route was over quite varied and scenic terrain as we walked through Whiteleaf village, Cadsden, Buckmoorend, around Chequers perimeter to arrive eventually at The Swan pub, at Kimble for lunch. After lunch we had a flat easy walk through the sheep meadows to Askett and then finally between the picturesque thatched cottages of Askett Lane to Monks Risborough, finishing at 2.30 pm.
Main Walk 28th January led by Chris Mansfield
Eleven of us met on a beautiful, sunny, but cold Winter’s day at the Half Moon pub in Wilstone. We set off at 10am to walk through the village a short way before taking a track leading to a field path to reach the Aylesbury arm of the Grand Union canal. As it was so cold there was not too much mud – it was still frozen! – but there were many icy puddles which were very slippery. However, everybody was careful and we had no mishaps. The walk continued on to reach the main Grand Union at Startops then on along until the Wendover arm. Here we turned off to walk along the Wendover arm – two canal boats were going the same way! After a short coffee break we continued on, passing an old ,still working, flour mill before leaving the canal at Little Tring, where it continued on for a short way to a dead end. After a short stretch along the road we picked up the now disused part of the canal, though work is now being done to renovate it further along. Just before reaching the renovated section we turned off the canal going downhill to reach Wilstone Reservoir which we followed around to its car park. Then is was just a short walk across a field and along the road to reach the pub, arriving at 12.30. A table had been reserved for us in this popular, old pub and the pre-ordered food was served very quickly – very good food and very good value. A lovely, easy walk on a beautiful day – followed by a great pub – what could be better?