Long Walk 4th July led by Angela Wall
We had planned a walk of 8 miles in the Long Crendon area but the forecast was for hot, sunny weather with 290 C temperatures. So we cut the walk to 5 miles to avoid the heat of the midday sun. We walked from the Eight Bells pub towards the famous courthouse and then took a shady path past the manor house and down the hill into fields. The weather was cool, a breeze was blowing and the sky was cloudy so we were in great spirits and pooh-poohed the weather forecast of excessive heat! We meandered beside fields of barley and wheat until we reached Notley Barn where we passed behind the stable block and the beautiful Notley dovecote. The path then took us into a lovely wooded area beside a stream, over the railway line and on to the village of Chearsley. We walked through the narrow lanes and admired the old thatched cottages then after passing the village green, we took the road to Chilton.
After a short walk along the road we turned left on to a path which went behind Chearsley Hill House with its unusual sculptures and with some great views over the countryside. After reaching the road again, we realised that the temperature had risen , the breeze had dropped, the air was very humid and the forecast had been right after all! It was rather hot and tedious walking the half mile along the road, but we soon turned left into a field beside a farm and avoiding some frisky cows we headed downhill for a stile in the corner. After crossing a stream, we wandered through long grass along the edge of a barley field before taking a path on the left which led into a hilly field. The climb up the hill was worth it for the lovely view when we got to the top. A track then led us to College Farm and after crossing a field and taking a short wooded path, we eventually arrived back in Long Crendon and The Eight Bells. A lovely walk but what a pity that the service and food at the pub were disappointing.
Strollers 9th July – led by Sheila Lane
8 of us braved the hot and sunny weather today. Met at The Swan, intending to eat there afterwards, but were informed they were closed for a few days for essential work to be completed. Walk completed, we moved on to the Garden Centre at Askett for lunch and then all went home to have a cold shower !
A good morning, except for the weather – too hot !
Medium Walk 13th July led by David & Jenny Brown
Monks Risborough Circular 6 mile
The original Pishill Stonor walk planned for Friday 13 July was postponed owing to the prolonged hot weather forecast. The original route had two steep hills and gave great views but little shade from the sun. Rather than travel some distance to the start of a relatively short 6 mile walk, which might have had to be shortened further, it was decided to walk locally instead starting at Monks Risborough.
Thirteen of us set off on another lovely sunny morning and took a route behind Monks Risborough Scout Hut through to the picturesque Askett Lane and on to Askett’s Three Crowns pub. From here we entered fields behind the pub and walked past well fattened Spring lambs to eventually join the Mid Shires way and the bridle path up to Grangelands Farm. Here there was added interest, with the sight of around 20 police vans parked at the farm, underlining the heavy local security precautions for the visit of USA President Donald Trump who was due at Chequers, only a couple of miles away, for lunch. The excitement continued most of the morning as the incessant whirring and circling of Thames police and army Chinook and US Osprey helicopters overhead led to speculation as to which one might have been carrying President Trump. (Our ex RAF member Peter West was our expert helicopter identification tutor!)
By now the weather was becoming much warmer and we were glad to enter woodland for most of the remainder of the walk, which took us to Pulpit Hill car park (Yet more police presence), down towards Dirtywood farm before walking up the road towards Solinger House, entering Knighton’s Hill Woods and then taking an undulating path back to Whitecross Hill via Green Hailey Farm. From here, we walked onto Brush Hill for a photo shoot against the magnificent view of Aylesbury Vale and Bledlow Ridge, before heading for the Pheasant Path and our lunch at The Red Lion Pub, Whiteleaf Village. Although we were now joined by two walkers’ partners, making 15 people for lunch, the appetising and generous food servings were served with little delay and as a bonus, in the relaxed ambience of the sunny beer garden.
After lunch there was an easy half mile downhill walk back to the start in Mill Lane, Monks Risborough.
Shakespeare Way Leg 4 July 19th
July 19th Long Compton to Chipping Norton, 7 miles + Rollright Stones
Fourteen of us met in Chipping Norton on yet another hot day well in time to catch the 10.05 bus to Long Compton which was, for the first time, on time! We alighted at Long Compton Village Hall and set off at 10.20 for our walk back to Chipping Norton. Unfortunately, one of our walkers managed to collide with a road sign almost immediately (these peaked caps have a lot to answer for!) but after lots of sticking plaster over his head managed to continue and complete the walk. Soon afterwards, crossing a field with sheep and well grown lambs, a very friendly lamb came bounding up hoping for some petting – to the general sounds of ‘Aaahh’. Finally we set off in a more determined fashion to climb up and away from Long Compton, almost immediately getting wonderful views over the village and beyond. Amazingly also well signed!
We continued on a gently uphill path with fantastic views in all directions to reach the highest point at a road. Here we walked along the road to reach a junction where most of us decided to take a detour of 1.5 miles there and back to visit the Rollright Stones. These stones, though not as impressive as Stonehenge or Avebury, were interesting and well worth the detour. On arriving back to join the rest of the group we continued on the path to reach the very small village of Little Rollright with its squat church tower. We lost the path on leaving the village and had to retrace our steps a short way before finding the right, undulating path to Salford and the Salford Inn for lunch, arriving at 1.15pm.
Lunch was ok, a little pricey but then we are in Chipping Norton! We set off again for the final mile and a half on another very pretty undulating path bringing us up into Chipping Norton by a children’s play area. The path wound away from the road to enter the town higher up, but we could see our car park and headed on the most direct route! Well it was about 27 degrees and we were all rather warm! We arrived back at the (free) car park at 3.30pm after a very pleasant walk on a rather hot day.
Main Walk July 23rd – led by Eleanor Mc Gregor
There were 9 walkers today, and we started from the Red Lion in Wendover at 10am in hot weather.
The first leg of the walk was through the residential area of Wendover before crossing several fields, eventually arriving in the village of Halton, and as you can imagine the ground was very hard, and the crops were desperate for water.
From here we managed to access the Wendover arm of the Grand Union Canal, and some shade for which we were thankful. Even the ducks were sitting under trees and bushes! The walk continued along the canal until we reached a break in the trees through which we deviated towards Weston Turville reservoir and had a circular, and somewhat uninteresting stroll. Lots of overgrown trees and bushes limited views of the water!
We were soon back on the canal trail again and finished where we started at the Red Lion. A lovely walk enjoyed by all.