Wednesday March 1st Long walk led by Bill O’Kelly
Seventeen walkers met at KOC Monks Risborough at 9.30 am for a 7 mile local circular walk. The walk took us to Askett, Great Kimble, Ellesborough church (where we had a coffee break}, then on to Buckmoor End, Chequers to finally reach The Plough at Cadsden for lunch at 1pm. This was quickly and efficiently served (we had pre-ordered) and then we just had the last mile back to Monks Risborough. The going was very soft and we all had very muddy boots but it was a lovely walk enjoyed by all.
Monday March 13th stroll led by Carole Barfoot
5 turned out to brave the 50mph gusts and we had a lovely little impromptu coffee stop at the Hughenden Manor. Enjoyed by all and all back safely and no rain
Friday March 17th medium walk led by Peter West
The forecast had not been good with heavy showers predicted, so it was with some relief that it was dry for the start of the 6 ½ mile walk. We started from the Golden Cross pub at Saunderton to climb to the top of Slough Hill where the normally extensive views were obscured by the heavy mist. We then travelled through fields where the resident horses had turned much of the grass to mud. Furthermore, the rather rickety stiles between fields were easier to pass under rather than over. With some relief, we crossed Haw Lane and turned left to meet the footpath that eventually took us to skirt the base of Lodge Hill until we joined the Chiltern Way. Then began the long gradual incline which took us to Rout’s Green.
From Rout’s Green, a muddy footpath led us to the main road in Bledlow Ridge. Tuning left off the main road, we had to negotiate an extremely muddy footpath before descending the very steep hill which needed careful footwork to avoid slipping. Turning right at the footpath at the bottom of the hill, we crossed Haw Lane once more and passed through Deanfield to meet the road back to the pub. However, this coincided with one of the predicted heavy showers which left us us all looking very bedraggled by the time we arrived at the pub.
Once in the pub, we all sat at one long table in a room to ourselves and tucked into the various choices of meal that the pub provides. As we ate our meal, it was galling to see that the sun was now shining outside! All in all, a very enjoyable day.