Wednesday July 5th Long walk led by Sue Styles
We met at The Lions at Bledlow at 9 am for a walk of just under 8 miles. There were 13 of us including a visitor from the U3A in J’burg, South Africa. The weather was dry but rather chilly at first. We ascended Chinnor Hill which offered wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. From here we walked through woods and along a lane to the Bledlow Ridge road. We walked along here for just under a quarter of a mile before descending towards Spriggs Alley, turning left at the bottom of the valley and walking through woods towards Radnage Church where we stopped for coffee.
We found that the church offered a choice of coffee and tea for a small donation. From here we walked along the lane leading back up towards the Bledlow Ridge road, taking a footpath off the lane towards Routs Green. At the far side of Routs Green there were views towards Lodge Hill and the surrounding countryside. We descended towards Lodge Hill and then climbed the hill which again offered superb views all around. Back down again across fields to the Bledlow/Bledlow Ridge road, crossing this and then across a further two fields until descending the valley back to The Lions where we had lunch.
Monday July 10th – stroll led by Elizabeth Rouse
14 members met at The Three Crowns at Askett. We set off at 10.30 crossing fields with grazing sheep and alpacas to reach the A4010. We crossed over and after a gentle climb for a couple of hundred yards we reached the top of the Ridgeway at Pulpit Hill and were rewarded with lovely views. Having negotiated the tricky style there we descended to Cadsden, crossed the road and went over the golf course to Whiteleaf then followed paths and fields to come out onto the A4010 again at Monks Risborough school. We crossed over the road and headed through Monks Risborough churchyard and on to Askett and back to The Three Crowns which we approached walking along a lane with some very pretty houses.
The gentle walk took us the best part of 2 hours in perfect weather for walking.
Friday July 21st medium walk led by Angela Wall
Fourteen intrepid walkers met at The Chery Tree Inn in Stoke Row on a fine July morning and made our way through the village to the intriguing Maharajah’s Well built by the Maharajah of Benares to supply clean water for the poor villagers of Stoke Row. After crossing the road, we followed a lane and track before turning onto a path which led us to woods and eventually across fields to Checkendon. Reaching the church, we walked along the drive of Checkendon Court before going through a gate into a field with fine views of the mansion on the right. Taking paths and tracks through more woodland and fields, we climbed up a short sharp hillside path to the lane opposite Garsons Farm and visited the Blue Tin Café for some rest and refreshment. The path from the farm café led us down Berins Hill and through wildflower meadows with beautiful, extensive views over Oxfordshire. We eventually arrived at Well Place and took the track leading past the entrance to the controversial Handsmooth House, the home of Rowan Atkinson. After a long but not too steep climb, we arrived at a road and eventually found a path on the right which led us into a field and to a lane that took us past the lovely Oakingham House. A long, enclosed track through woods led to a house called Donnelly where we turned onto an uphill path, through a gate and more trees to reach Stoke Row. After a short walk we arrived back at The Cherry Tree Inn, and enjoyed a good, but tardily served, lunch.