Long Walk 5th June led by Chris
Twelve of us met in the public car park in Goring on a partly cloudy day with no rain forecast. WE set off at 9.40 to walk out of the village and up over the fields with wonderful views back down over Goring and the Thames valley. Soon we entered Great Chalk Wood where foxgloves were just starting to show their tall spires, then on along more woodland paths passing Bottom farm to later reach the road near Cray’s Pond. We crossed over to walk across a large field with a sports field adjoining – here we had a short coffee break before continuing through more woodland before turning south to take a path to the village of Hill Bottom with some rather nice properties.
Continuing southwards, now going downhill we finally reached a lane leading towards Whitchurch and the Ferry Boat inn for lunch, arriving at 1pm. A table had been reserved form us and our orders were quickly taken by the friendly and efficient staff, with the food arriving within 10-15 minutes – all very good – and good value! Soon after 2pm we set off again – three to walk into Pangbourne and catch a train back to Goring, while the rest of us walked the final 3.5 miles along the Thames path arriving in Goring at 3.45 where we met up with the other at the Pierreponts café for tea and cakes! What a lovely way to end a beautiful walk.
Strollers 10th June – led by Arthur Edwards
Rained off
Medium Walk 14th June led by David & Jenny Brown
This walk was a little further away than we normally travel but several of the longer serving members recalled walking from Dorchester 5 or 6 years ago. The unseasonal wet weather meant that most of the 15 walkers in the group came prepared with waterproofs and gaiters. The walk started from Bridgend and after a pleasant stroll along quaint winding streets and rows of timber framed cottages and the well kept allotments, we soon reached and crossed the River Thames at Day’s Lock. Fortunately, the rain held off and we were able to enjoy distant views along the Thames Valley from the top of Wittenham Clumps. After skirting Castle Hill we dropped down into Little Wittenham Wood and made our way to Shillingford Bridge. Here a brief stop was made to apply sun cream but disappointingly, as we walked along main road leading to the Thames Path, a heavy shower had us scurrying to reapply our waterproofs, but only for a short time. The final couple of miles took us along the Thames Path before we diverted to follow the River Thame and back into Dorchester. Lunch at the George Hotel involved a long wait which was disappointing. Finally most of the group spent half an hour exploring the splendid Dorchester Abbey and overall a varied and enjoyable day.
Shakespeare Way June 20th
Marlow to Littleworth Common, 8 miles
Fifteen of us met on the 300 bus to High Wycombe where we then caught the 800 bus to Marlow, arriving at 10am. After the short walk down to the river and a brief toilet stop, we were ready to set off from the George & Dragon by 10.15. The first four miles or so were a gentle meander along the Thames path. WE stopped for a coffee break near Spade Oak then continued on the Cookham where we left the Thames path to reach the road. We crossed the Thames then took a path to the right over fields and through woodlands now on paths all new to us. Soon we had a long fairly gentle uphill climbing out of the Thames valley to reach the village of Hedsor. We missed the recommended picnic site (I blame the leader!) and continued on alongside a golf course where we found a sunny glade by a house where we stopped for our lunch at about 1.15. Unfortunately the sun didn’t last long and with a cool breeze we did not feel like lingering so we were off again at 1.40 walking through the beautiful and aptly named Shakespeare Wood with amazing bright green foliage of rhododendrons and ferns. All too soon we arrived at Littleworth Common and the Blackwood arms – too soon because the bus would not pick us up before 4.30 and it was only 2.20! But it was a very pleasant place to pass a couple of hours – the pub was open so we sat outside drinking beer, cider, etc then later tea or coffee all served by a very friendly landlady. The bus arrived punctually as usual and whisked us home by 5.15pm. Another very successful day.
Main Walk 24th June – led by Carole Barfoot
Aston Rowant Nature Reserve to Aston Rowant. Circular 5 miles
Seven of us met at the Aston Rowant Nature Reserve main car park at Beacon Hill on a bright but humid morning, although there was some apprehension about the impending forecast of thunderstorms. Carrying my lightning conductor, 4-leaf clover and lucky rabbit’s tail we made our way through woodland back to the A40.
Successfully navigating the crossing of the busy A40 we followed the roadway for a short distance before entering NT woodland known as Juniper Bank. (Cuttings of juniper bushes are being successfully re-introduced into Aston Woods as there has been a serious decline within the Chilterns.) The bridleway was blocked by the trunk of a tree but safely negotiated by us all. This ‘way’ winds downhill for about a mile and part of it is formed by the ancient London-Oxford road and latterly the old A40 route prior to the new road being built when the M40 motorway was constructed.
A short way along Juniper Bank we encountered another two trees blocking our path, set at a height which fifty years ago we would, no doubt, have happily limbo-ed under! Instead some of us creaked under, bent double. Two of us engaged in a sort of rugby tackle resulting in the pair of us rather ungainly ending up on top of each other in the mud. However, teeth gritted we regained our upright posture and continued the walk downhill towards Aston Rowant. Limping (me). We followed the path through open country, a field on our left used for horse jumping. Turning around there are lovely views of the beech woods and Beacon Hill. We crossed the Ridgeway and a trackway which was once the railway line into Watlington, now overgrown into obscurity. As we approached the main road there was a farm on our left, where a couple of horses were walking round and round on a circular exercise machine. No TV to watch and no headphones, what on earth are they thinking about? I know what I’d be thinking but that’s not printable!
Crossing the Chinnor to Watlington road we turned left towards the Lambert Arms admiring the large and lovely houses along Butts Way. Turning left again at the Postcombe road we once more had to cross the Watlington road and follow the A40 for a short while up Aston Hill. Here, Chris was lucky enough to use her first aid kit for the first time! One of us had developed a very pretty shade of red rash on her arm after a close encounter with a nettle but Chris’s anti-histamine cream soon put paid to that! Mind you, she didn’t have a splint in the kit for my wrenched knee!
Turning right along the Ridgeway the path follows the base of Beacon Hill before turning left through gates onto the Hill itself. The uphill path bends right and we followed the lower path round the hill which was clothed in waving grasses and a plethora of orchids, pyramidal and common spotted. What a treat! We then began the gradual uphill climb along one of the old drover’s tracks back to the car park.