It's a special feeling knowing that you're enjoying yourself while everyone else has to work. I imagine this is what it feels like to be retired! The footpaths are quiet and there are times when birdsong is all we can hear, including the mewing of Red Kites. The good weather has them out in numbers, wheeling and swooping over the Ridgeway.
Chilterns Walks
Chequers
If yesterday was warm, today is hot! We've done this walk before and the aim is to end up at the Shoulder of Mutton pub for a late lunch and much needed refreshment. We descend from the Ridgeway, virtually onto the front lawn at Chequers and into what appears to be a Saga holiday outing...
Stoke Row
I read blogs written by other walkers and our adventures are all together more prosaic. Perhaps I should invent a few stories of 'daring-do in the Chilterns'...but really, the charm of these woods and lanes is that nothing much has happened here for decades. I'll not be contributing any stories themed on UNTAMED, ON THE EDGE or ADRENALIN.
Little Chalfont
This is not a strenuous walk and as the distance is short it leaves plenty of time for taking pictures and chatting. We only meet runners and dog walkers and the early morning around here is peaceful. Were it not for the occasional background drone of a plane, circling before landing at Heathrow, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in a different century.
Nettlebed
In spite of the dull weather, today's walk was enjoyable. Quiet lanes, views over the Thames Valley and South Oxfordshire and a descent from the Ridgeway along Grim's Ditch. If I'm feeling old this particular earthworking is over 2400 years old.
Hughenden Valley
Some walks are memorable for the views or the weather, others are just a good opportunity to talk and walk. This one was the latter. No views to speak of (at least, if there were the mist hid them) and all in all a dull day. Nevertheless we enjoyed catching up on life and stuff. Lots of things are changing at the moment and it's surprising how a good walk clears the head.
Brill…and another windmill
OK...so windmills are becoming a bit of a weird obsession...Cholesbury, Pistone (twice), Clayton, Rottingdean, Turville (twice) and now Brill. It'll be trainspotting next! The walking is easy. There are no difficult climbs and sleepy Buckinghamshire villages are well spaced and make interesting diversions from crossing muddy fields. We walk through Chearsley, Chilton, Brill (the overcast skies make for some moody pictures of the windmill), Dorton, Ashendon, Nether Winchendon and back to Cuddington.
Ewelme
Ewelme 7 mile walk, snow and snowdrops at Swyncombe. The English language is perverse...I've no idea why Leicester, Edinburgh and Alnwick are pronounced as they are. Similarly, I'm at a loss to know how to pronounce Ewelme...e-Whelm or You-lm?
Marsworth Locks
A flat walk on a dull day…and yet, this walk was much more enjoyable than that. Another walk near Tring. That’s something like 8 walks around here in the last 10 months so you may get the feeling we like Tring!
Dunstable Downs
Follow my blog with Bloglovin 28th January Dunstable Downs...well, I remember coming here with Dad to fly kites...by which I mean Robert and I watched on as Dad flew the box kite. We were allowed to send messages up but not trusted to hold the line. It's amusing to see things have not changed and … Continue reading Dunstable Downs
Where Angells Tread! 