Long Walk 1st May led by David & Jenny Brown
Nettlebed and Nuffield ‘’Bluebell Walk’’
This was a circular walk which repeated the route we took in May 2018 which unfortunately was spoilt by sustained heavy spring showers. Fortunately the weather this year was much kinder and we enjoyed sunny periods and a mild temperature of 16 C. Our party of 13 walkers started from Nettlebed village and walked across Nettlebed common and through the beech woodlands to Westwood Manor farm. Here we had good views across the steep valley towards the Five Horseshoes pub at Upper Maidensgrove. The route then progressed up a bridle path to Park Corner. From here we walked on a winding woodland path surrounded by drifts of superb bluebells contrasting with the fresh unfolding acid green beech leaves. Photo opportunities were welcomed for all.
After a brief refreshment stop we continued our walk across the golf course and into Nuffield village before returning to Nettlebed via more bluebell woods at Heycroft Shaw. Finally we reached the outskirts of Nettlebed and took a stroll through the ‘public access’ grounds of Sue Ryder Hospice with its path winding through rhododendron blooms around the small lake and the Jacobean mansion. Soon we reached Nettlebed High Street and arrived at The White Hart hotel and pub where we again enjoyed a friendly welcome and good food and drink.
Strollers 13th May– led by Penny Young
Nine of us walked from Hunt’s Hill to Hughenden on a lovely Monday morning with the sun shining, the birds singing and the trees just gorgeous shades of green. We stopped and had a coffee at Hughenden NT cafe and then some of us walked back the way we came – and some of us caught the bus from the bottom of the road at Hughenden. A lovely way to spend a morning!
Medium Walk 10th May led by Chris Mansfield
Nine of us met at Dry Leas long term car park in Henley on a bright sunny day. Most welcome after the last two days of very heavy, but much needed, rain. We set off at 9.30 to walk up through the town, then on across Badgemoor Park Golf Course before entering Lambridge Wood where we followed a beautiful woodland path for about a mile. The bluebells were sadly over but the walk through the wood was very peaceful with lots of birdsong. After leaving Lambridge Wood we followed another woodland path before joining the Chiltern Way which we followed for a short distance. On leaving the Chiltern Way we paused in the open (it was rather cool in the woods) for a coffee break then continued across fields, passed a beautiful little lake and then on downhill passing drifts of bluebells that had gone over. WE continued along the valley bottom for a while then climbed out up through woodland, crossed a lane before descending once more before a final ascent to reach Shepherd’s Green. Here we joined the Chiltern Way again following it for about half a mile before turning off across fields to Rotherford Greys and the Malsters Arms for lunch, arriving at 12.45pm. A table had been reserved for us and food and drink orders were quickly taken by the very friendly landlord. The food was very good, good value too, but generally too much to eat! After a jolly hour or so we set off again to walk the last two and a half miles downhill back into Henley, arriving at about 3.30pm. We had been very lucky with the weather escaping heavy showers which had been predicted. A lovely, peaceful walk enjoyed by all.
Shakespeare Way May 16th
Southend to Marlow, 9.5 miles
Fourteen of us met at KOC, Monks Risborough on a lovely, sunny May morning. The minibus picked us up and drove us to Southend where we finished last time, arriving at 10am. We set off walking over fields separated by three tier stiles – not seen many of these before – soon going downhill into a valley, then up the other side on a pretty woodland path to later reach Upper Woodend farm. Our path led us on through more pleasant woodland then uphill for a short while, still in woods to emerge with good views over the Hambleden valley. After a long descent we reached the village and had a coffee/early lunch snack break sitting in the churchyard. On our way again we climbed a long steep hill out of the valley to reach the small hamlet of Rotten Row then on over more fields before descending into a valley in Homefield Wood. We follows the path along the valley bottom to reach and cross a small lane by a field with many multi coloured sheep and lambs – black, white, piebald and many combinations. They were very curious and we stopped for a while to enjoy watching them before continuing on along a pleasant open path before reaching Pullinghill wood and another steep climb to the top. Once on top it was plain sailing downhill to reach the main road just outside Marlow. We crossed over into Pound Lane which we followed, admiring many beautiful properties as we went, to reach Court Gardens then soon the George & Dragon for lunch arriving at 2.25pm. Just nine of us stayed for lunch which was served very quickly – good food and very good value. We set off again just after 3.30pm to catch the 800 bus to High Wycombe then the 300 bus home arriving at 5.15pm. A long day but a lovely walk enjoyed by all and well signposted all the way!