Long Walk 7th July led by Toby Lucas
Twelve walkers plus the leader met at the Pink & Lily on a cloudy but dry day. We set off at 9.15 through the woods to reach Great Hampden. There had been lots of rain in the preceding days and the going was very very muddy in parts making our progress quite slow and difficult. Our route then took us on across the cricket pitch to later pass Denner hill farm before descending to Bryants Bottom followed by a climb up through woodland to reach Piggots then descending again into the next valley to reach Upper North Dean.
Here we turned right to take a gently rising elevated path to Flowers Bottom giving wide views before descending to a lane which led into Highwood Bottom, passing the leader’s house as we went. Finally we reached Lily Bottom lane which was exceedingly muddy in places arriving back at the Pink at 1.40. Lunch had been pre-ordered and was quickly and efficiently served in the garden – with some very interesting chooks to entertain us. It was a lovely walk with lots of variety and interest.
Strollers 142h July led by Brendan Larkin
Ten strollers met at Longwick village hall car park at 10.30 on a dull and overcast day. We set off through a new housing estate then onto a narrow overgrown path which was very wet after a heavy shower earlier – so we soon all had wet trousers. Next it was a muddy field with mud sticking to our boots making them heavy – very good exercise! We continued over fields passing the ancient village of Lockington and on to Ilmer. By now the sun had come out and it was very warm as people started to shed their clothes. WE stopped to look at Ilner church then continued on to the railway bridge which was used in the filming of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – according to our learned leader! Then it was on a long a wide dry track leading back towards Longwick, a few large puddles to negotiate before reaching the village hall again at 12.30. A lovely flat walk with lots of interest.
Medium Walk 23rd July led by Angela Wall
Start: Fox and Hounds pub at Christmas Common, 7.5 miles
We (12 people and 2 dogs) met at 9.00am at the Fox and Hounds pub on the last day of a heat wave wondering if we were going to find it too hot to walk. The landlord came out and took our orders and we set off in the direction of Stokenchurch. Shortly, after a junction, we turned onto a left-hand path. Followed the Oxfordshire Way, we crossed two fields and walked down a track by the side of Pyrton Hill, past a cattery and into a lane. After a short walk we turned onto a right-hand path which led us through trees at the edge of woods and fields in the direction of Shirburn Hill. We then met our first hill and climbed up fairly steeply through lovely wildflower grassland with fantastic views over Oxfordshire, until we reached some welcome shade at the top. Who should we see near the top of the hill but Pat Fowler with Bumble and Pip, who had walked down to join us? A welcome log helped us have a quick rest, water stop and cooling down before we continued on the path across a field to Cowleaze Wood. Our path then led us through the wood (so nice to be in the shade of the trees) followed by a steep hill down through a field with lovely views of red kites and the Wormsley Estate. After turning left on the lane, we almost immediately turned right at Lower Vicar’s Farm onto a path through a small orchard and up through a pony field and into woods. Conveniently, there was a log large enough for us all to sit and have coffee break. Another climb, but this time short and sharp, took us to a track where we turned right and walked downhill through the trees to Wellground Farm. Here Pat + dogs left us to walk back to Cowleaze Wood. We walked along a lane past Wormsley House and where the lane turned right to the cricket ground, we continued along a track which became a footpath until we came to a half-hidden gate in the hedge on the right. Here we re-met David and Jenny Brown who had taken a shorter walk as they were worried that the heat might be too much for their son’s dog. So, with added numbers to our party, we walked across two fields, saying hello to the sheep as we passed, and then down to a lane and into Blackmoor Wood. After passing a decorative stone urn and a grand entrance gate to the Wormsley Estate, we trudged slowly uphill through Shotridge Wood, thankfully in the shade of trees. However, like a lot of paths in the Chilterns the steepest part was nearest the top and, by now, we were hot and tired and glad that we only had a short journey back to Christmas Common. Skirting round some disused pits, we met a track, turned left and after a short walk, eventually wearily arrived back at the pub. Although the weather had been hot, we were very fortunate that it had been slightly cooler than previous days and the walk had been 70% in woodland. After a good lunch (except for those of us who had the overpriced rarebit!) we felt refreshed and ready for the car ride home and a shower!