Long Walk July 1st led by Angela Wall
A lovely sunny morning greeted 9 of us at The Fox and Hounds at Christmas Common ready for a wander in the hills round Watlington. After a shaky start because the leader had forgotten the way (!), we took a path across a field and down a pleasant track past Pyrton House and then turning right on a narrow path along the foot of Pyrton Hill. After about a mile we came to open land with views to Shirburn Hill and climbed up a long, steepish hill with beautiful chalk grassland flowers and superb views over the Oxfordshire countryside. After a short rest at the top of the hill, we walked to Cowleaze Wood and took a path through woodland eventually arriving at the Wormsley Estate and Lower Vicars farm.
Taking a path close to the farmhouse, we had a short, sharp climb up to a track that led down to Wellground Farm. An easy walk along a lane through the Wormsley estate, gave us a chance to say hello to noisy sheep and to see the Getty residence and cricket ground in the distance. A path and track led us eventually to a gate on the right and a path through a field of sheep Reaching a lane, we turned right and came to a path on the left, which passed a walled garden and led to a wooded area and a large urn. From here we took a long, rather tedious path which led up through Blackmoor Wood, over some old chalk pits and eventually to Christmas Common. A lovely meal sitting outside the pub under a whitebeam tree was a great ending to a good day‘s walk.
Strollers July 13th led by Eleanor McGregor
Oh what a joy it was to be out walking on a cool morning following an intensive period of excessively hot weather.
We began our 3+ miles walk at the Longdown Hill carpark and meandered over to the Cheques estate taking in the refreshing views looking towards Aylesbury and beyond. Some parts of the walk were a little uphill until we reached the fine view of the Chequers House.
After a brief stop at the Farm Shop opposite, which was closed, where we made use of the picnic tables for our ‘hydration break’, we continued down through a field, crossed the busy road and disappeared into the woods for the final leg of the walk. A welcome opportunity for 10 of us to enjoy the countryside.
Medium Walk July 17th led by Peter West
Sixteen walkers set off from The Swan at Kimble on their 7 mile walk. The hot weather was predicted to continue for the walk and this proved to be the case. We walked down the road past the new housing development to pick up the North Bucks Way. We crossed the railway line and the A4010 to climb up the slope that led to the Ridgeway. After a break for water, we continued along the Ridgeway which took us over the Rifle Range and up the steep path to meet the Cradle Footpath. We continued along the path which took us around the edge of the Chequers Estate to cross the house entrance road with its CCTV cameras watching our movements. Next stop was the farm shop at Buckmoorend for a welcome coffee or ice cream.
Feeling refreshed, we entered the woods below Lodge Hill with their cooling shade and soon crossed the road and along the pavement to turn off onto the long, hot, track that leads to Ellesborough. We took the path through the churchyard and turned off to the left over fields to eventually cross the Wendover Road. From there, we followed the road to the lay-by on the A4010, and after crossing the road, we turned off onto the road leading to Great Kimble. The path by the school led us down to cross the railway line again and on to the path leading back to The Swan.
We all enjoyed the cool drinks available at the pub after our hot and tiring walk. Tables had been reserved for us and the meals that we had ordered before we set off soon arrived. This was the culmination of a very enjoyable day.