Medium Walk 10th January led by Chris Mansfield
Sixteen of us met at the Red Lion in Wendover for our first walk of 2020. It was a beautiful sunny day, a wonderful change from all the rain we had been having. WE set off at 9.25 to walk down the High Street then to take Heron’s Path alongside a small stream, later crossing it to take a narrow path leading to Hale Road. Here we turned right and soon left into Hale Lane, walking along the road until a footpath on the left taking us up into Wendover Woods. We followed the path uphill, then at the top walked along to reach the new café and toilets. After a brief stop we continued walking along the car road until a fork where we branched off the road onto a footpath leading us across a field to reach the road at Aston Hill. We crossed the road over to the carpark, walking through to its end then turning downhill, with wonderful views to reach Chiltern Forest Golf course.
WE stopped for elevenses by a handy bench then continued to the end of the golf course to reach a road opposite the junction with Stanbridge Rd. We crossed over to walk down Stanbridge road to reach the Wendover arm of the Grand Union canal where we turned left to walk the final 3 miles towards Halton and Wendover where it ends. It was very pretty along the canal with some ducks out and about enjoying the lovely weather, a little muddy in places but nothing too bad despite the rain of the previous days. We left the canal to walk back into Wendover and the Red Lion for lunch, arriving at 1.10pm. A table had been reserved for us and our pre-ordered food was soon served by the friendly staff. After a pleasant time eating, drinking and chatting we left the pub at 2.30 for the short drive home. A good walk, not too strenuous, on a glorious day – a good start to the new year!
Strollers 13th January –led by Janet Griffin
Eleven of us met at the Eight Bells pub in Long Crendon on a rather dull day with rain forecast later. Our walk took us through the village and over fields – very wet and muddy in places – towards the river Thame which was overflowing into the surrounding fields. The sun came out briefly as we continued on to Notely Abbey – a wedding venue, but as we turned back towards Long Crendon the rain started, much earlier than predicted – though it didn’t last very long. We arrived back at the Eight Bells at 12.15 after a very pleasant, if muddy 3 mile hike where 6 of the group stayed for lunch and a chat in this very welcoming pub.
Short Walk 27th January – led by Lynda Swinbourn
There were 6 participants in this short walk. We met in the parking lot just past the Plough Pub in Cadsden. It was a beautiful, crisp, sunny winter’s day. We started our walk opposite the Pulpit Hill entrance. We walked through three very muddy fields, down the Solinger House Road and crossed the Great Missenden Road. We then walked up the path to Dirtywood Farm and up a fairly steep Hill into Chisley Wood . We then walked down through the forest to Brockwell Farm crossed the Great Missenden Road again and walked through Chequers and then joined up with the fields below Pulpit Hill.
The walk was approximately 5 miles and took us two and half hours. It took longer than normal because of the extremely muddy conditions in some parts. All six ladies were very cautious through the mud and there were no falls. Thank Goodness!
A thoroughly enjoyable morning walking and a bonus was the lovely sunny weather. I enjoyed leading this walk and I believe all six of us enjoyed ourselves.