Wednesday January 3rd Long walk led by Libby & Ger James
We set off from Bledlow across the slightly squidgy fields to be greeted by drops of water from above, as the views developed, so did the rain – so when we reached the boundaries of Lodge Hill there was an atmospheric mistiness to the vale below. As we plodged around the hill the sun came out and our mood brightened with it.
We stopped to welcome the New Year with some prosecco (it was properly chilled!) and then the fizz lifted us along the path to the top of Bledlow Great Wood. There were glorious views from the top, we then dropped down to the Ridgeway path back to the Lions where we started from, slightly muddier and a trifle damper than when we started. Don’t trust the met office!
It was, despite this, a glorious walk with great company.
Monday January 8th stroll led by Chris Mansfield
Eleven members met in the layby in Monks Risborough on a cold buy dry day. We set off walking down Mill Lane then Crowbrooke Lane to reach Askett. From there we walked through the village, over the A4010 and on going gently uphill to Whiteleaf village passing many beautiful properties. On reaching Peter’s Lane 3 members left the group while the rest of us continued on a short muddy stretch then on down a large field giving wide views over Risborough and the surrounding countryside. The mud was not too bad and we all arrived at Berryfields road without mishap to follow quiet roads and a park back to Monks Risborough arriving at 12 noon. A good walk for a January day along quiet lanes and with very little off road.
Friday January 19th medium walk led by Sharon Clark
A 6 mile walk around Speen, North Dean and Hughenden Valley.
The temperature was only 1 degree but the sun was shining and the sky a beautiful clear blue as 15 members set off from The Harrow Pub along the valley before a footpath towards Boss Lane and then Hatches Lane and Hampden Road. A left turn took us towards Knox Plantation which is a lovely wooded area where we stopped for coffee and biscuits! After a short rest we dropped down into North Dean and then up the hill to Speen and Speen Chapel. A quick right then left to Spring Coppice Lane and then the public footpath to Little Piggotts. Beautiful walk through Piggotts Wood before descending back towards The Harrow for lunch.
This was a figure of 8 walk with 3 hills and 3 stiles and a lovely combination of fields and woodlands.