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...
hills
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.
Ringmoor Down, Devon
The steep climb up onto Ringmoor Down leaves us our of breath and besides, the roads are surprisingly busy. Lots of people are out for a half-term drive over the Moors, taking advantage of the fact the skies have cleared and the sun is now shining.
Ringmore, Devon
Memory is a funny thing. It's been forty years since I was here last and parts of Challaborough haven't changed a bit. The view of Burgh Island from the beach, the caravan park, the stream across the beach that we used to dam...and yet this walk is much longer in my imagination.
Barn Hill, Devon
A windy walk on Dartmoor near Tavistock. We're staying in Tavistock and our walk today is a short drive up onto the moor at Whitchurch Down. Getting out of the car the wind tugs at the doors, as if to encourage us to get walking.
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?
Where Angells Tread! 