Long Walk May 7th led by Jeane Richards
We met at the Bull and Butcher in Turville for this 6.5 mile circular walk, with perfect sunny weather that lasted the whole day. The walk began by turning left out of the pub car park, through the picturesque Turville village, then left on a foot path that took us the edge of a field and up the first hill. Slight gradient at first, then a little steeper through a bluebell-scattered Churchfield Wood leading to Turville Court. Only a short distance walking on the road before following the footpaths to Turville Grange.
With only a mile and half under our belts it was decided we couldn’t pass The Barn at Turville Heath without a coffee break. After a very pleasant stop, we continued on footpaths and fields that lead round towards Stoner and then on the Shakespeare Way through Stoner Park, second hill, and onwards to Southend. From Southend, following Chiltern Way we headed back to Turville and a pub lunch, with nice views and the windmill in the distance.
Strollers May 12th – led by Chris Mansfield
9 strollers met on a lovely sunny and warm day at Startops car park in Marsworth. We set off at 10.30am to walk along the Grand Union canal until its junction with the Wendover arm. Here we turned off to walk along this very quiet stretch of canal to reach Little Tring where we left the canal system to follow an interesting path back passing the reservoirs where we saw families of geese with goslings to reach our starting point. It was a lovely walk which we took very leisurely and which everybody enjoyed.
Medium walk May 16th – led by Corinne Symonds
On a bright May morning 8 walkers set out from the Cricketers Arms at Littlewick Green to explore ‘the leafy lanes of Berkshire’ passing Ivor Novello’s former home on our way. After crossing farmland and the railway we walked through the parkland of Shottesbrooke Park. Following some hasty research, we learned that the house is still owned by descendants of the Vansittart family who bought the property in 1716, namely the widow and son of Sir John Smith founder of The Landmark Trust and is their headquarters. We just had to stop along the way to watch the deer and photograph the newborn lambs gamboling around us. The lake gave further photo opportunities as it glittered in the sun and provided the added bonus of a brood of Egyptian goslings. Some walkers were keen to explore Saint John the Baptist church on the estate which was built in 1337. Fortunately, it was undergoing a survey so we were able to gain access.
We continued along woodland paths to the village of Waltham Saint Lawrence where the shade of the church lych gate was a perfect spot for a welcome break. We returned to Littlewick Green through woods and back across the farmland. The welcoming pub quickly and efficiently served us with our drinks and meals. This was a new area and pub for all our participants who heartily enjoyed both and expressed a desire to return for a long walk.