Long Walk 3rd July led by Colin and Jenny Robinson
The walk started from the NT car park on Sharpenhoe Road. Eleven us explored the part of the Chilterns known as the Sundon Hills and Sharpenhoe Clappers, which are towards the north-eastern end of the scarp slope towards Luton, Bedfordshire. There were superb views both out across the plain and into the steep sided valleys that nibble into the slopes. The area is managed for wildlife and is rich in wildflowers, birds and butterflies. Lunch was at “The Chequers” in Streatley. The weather was superb and the flowers, orchids and butterflies were beautiful.
Strollers 8th July
Cancelled
Medium Walk 12th July led by Angela Wall
After a few hiccups finding the village, we all arrived at Checkendon church only to find that the proposed car parking space was fully occupied. However, we managed to park nearby before all the local primary schools had swamped the village for their Sports Day. Our path took us past the church and the gates to Checkendon Court, through a lovely wildflower meadow to a long enclosed path at the edge of the Court’s grounds and a tunnel of trees, eventually arriving at a small lane at Hammond End. Crossing the lane we walked down through more woodland to a crossroad of paths and up a short steep hill to the lane at Garson’s Farm. Turning left, we took the lane until we reached a track on the right where we turned towards the Farm Shop with lovely views of the Oxfordshire countryside on our left. Resisting the temptation to stop for coffee, we followed a left-hand path just before the gate, and walked through trees down Berins Hill to a stile with yet more superb views towards Wittenham Clumps. Crossing a field, we arrived at another lane and turned right taking a small path parallel to the lane with a deep hollow way on the right.
After a short distance, we turned left into a field and followed the field edge to Wellplace Farm. Here we turned right onto the lane and walked past Lower Handsmooth Farm and the prominent and Rowan Atkinson’s incongruous white Handsmooth House high up on the hill to the left. The long track eventually took us gently uphill into woods and the road at Ipsden Heath, where we turned left and took a path on the right opposite the turning to Homer Farm.
After crossing fields and negotiating our way through a group of frisky but friendly young horses ably controlled by Pat, we came to English Farm with its beautiful buildings and rare breed cattle, fortunately, safe in a fenced field. Taking the right fork, we then had a lovely long stroll on a downhill track bordered by wildflowers, to reach a lane at Oakingham Bottom, turning right and then left up a path which eventually took us to Stoke Row. After walking up the lane into the village we stopped at The Cherry Tree for lunch. Amazingly quick service and very good food, meant we were in a satisfied and rested state to tackle the final mile. After investigating the famous Maharajah’s Well, we took a lane on the left past the church and school and at the end of the houses and a short distance down a track, we turned right on an enclosed path. At the start of the woods we turned left and followed the path through the trees and down to a small track and then up through fields, gates and a narrow path until we reached the road at Checkendon. Turning left, we walked along the road arriving at the sports ground and car parking. A lovely walk in perfect weather with a good lunch and excellent company.
Shakespeare Way July 18th
Littleworth Common to Black Park, 8.5 miles
Sixteen of us drove and met at Black Park Country Park near Slough where our trusty minibus also met to drive us to Littleworth Common where we finished last time. After weeks of dry weather it had rained overnight and was a cloudy though warm day – perfect for walking. We se off at 10.15 to walk down a field of very wet long grass soaking us all to the knees very quickly! WE continued on through Dorney Wood then along wide graceful paths through Burnham Beeches with beautiful trees on both sides eventually emerging by a car park and refreshment building. Some people availed themselves of the toilet facilities while others bought ice creams!
Continuing on we soon reached the main road at Farnham Common with shops and pubs where we crossed the road, walked along it for a short time before turning off to follow a path around Brockhurst Wood, stopping for 15 minutes for a coffee break towards the end of the path. Then our path took us on across fields and through more woodland before arriving at Stoke Common -a large grassy area with some contented brown cows lying down and not remotely interested in us. We followed the path across the Common to reach a road just outside the village of Fulmer which we then walked along to arrive at the Black Horse Inn for lunch. A table had been reserved for us but we elected to sit outside where our order was quickly taken and drinks and very good food speedily arrived – 16 people and no pre-ordering!
WE set off again just after 2pm for the final short walk across fields then through Fulmer Rise Estate admiring large and beautiful residences as we went, later reaching a road and then soon entering Black park. We followed the path through the Park to reach the lake where we stopped to look at the geese and ducks and also many model sailing boats operated by a contingent of old blokes on the lake edge. Then we took a path away from the lake to reach the car park and the cars for the drive home. Another successful leg completed.
Main Walk 22nd July – led by Pat Fowler
On a day which promised to turn out very hot, 10 of us met by the cricket pitch in Ewelme for a 4.5 mile circular walk. We started by crossing Cow Common, a very large open pasture. From here we joined a bridle path which took us to the lower slopes of the Ewelme Downs. After 1/2mile approximately, we turned left heading through fields with Swyncombe Down on the horizon ahead of us. A short trek along a quiet lane brought us to the Icknield Way. On reaching the welcome shade of trees we all enjoyed a short drink stop as the temperature was now increasing. Turning left we followed a farm track for 1/2mile until this then became a narrow path between hedges. A turn left saw us heading back to Ewelme through a corn field.
Before returning to the cars, we called in to the church which has association with the descendants of Geoffrey Chaucer and other interesting information. We walked through the cloister containing the very attractive almshouses founded in 1437, and past the school founded in 1450.
A short drive through the village past the watercress beds took us to the pub where we all had a welcome drink and snack in the garden