7th July Peterfield to Liss

The walk from Petersfield to Liss, around 12 miles is a slightly longer version of the Time Out walk.)

Here’s the description from Time Out

Much of this walk follows the Hangers Way, a long distance path which lies within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.. The name Hanger derives from the old English “Hangra”meaning a wooded slope. Much of the walk is in unspoilt countryside which remains as it was several hundred years ago. The very steep ascent of Shoulder of Mutton Hill may be slippery in winter when the slightly longer alternative route is advised. Whichever route is taken the view at the top is spectacular.

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Sunday 30th June Witley to Godalming

The walk from Witley to Godalming, which is 10 miles started from Witley station, following the Greensand Way east, with good views down to the south, to Hascombe, a very picturesque village (with a pub) where we ate our sandwiches by the village pond – preposterously picturesque, as is the arboretum..

We then turned north and followed a public right of way through Winkworth Arboretum:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/winkworth-arboretum

Then along an old sunken way, until we come down to the river Wey which we followed into Godalming, and the train home.  

23rd June 2019 Little Kimble to Princes Risborough

 Five of us met for an walk starting at Little Kimble and exploring the Ridgeway in the Chilterns on a lovely summers day. First stop was at All Saints Church, Little Kimble where X111-X1V wall paintings and tiles were admired.

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We then scrambled up Beacon Hill, some of the party more energetically than others, for fantastic views over beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside.

Beacon Hill

We decided to give Chequers a miss and continued following the signposts through Grangelands and Pulpit Hill nature reserve through an ancient box grove, where we got into discussion about the box grub which is being monitored in the area.

We continued along the Ridgeway to the Plough in Lower Cadsden for a drink stop.

Then on via Whiteleaf Cross and Whiteleaf Hill before descending into Princes Risborough where a steam train from the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway was waiting at the station, although we all caught the standard train back to Marylebone after a splendid day out.

9th June 2019 Garston to St Albans

Self guided walk suggested by Steve.

2nd June 2019 Burnham on Crouch to Althorne

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On a beautiful day eight of us got the train to Burnham on Crouch. We then caught a small ferry boat over the River Crouch to Wallasey Island. The island is an RSPB reserve and we walked the Marsh Flat trail past both Grass Farm Lagoon and Acresfleet Lagoons and then on around the grazing marsh and grassland under enormous skies where we ate our lunch listening to the skylarks and trying to identify birds.

We returned to Burnham on Crouch , again using the ferry where the ferryman was a font of knowledge regarding a series of wooden barricades that had originally been positioned at the mouth the Thames in wartime and then relocated to the Crouch as an early marina.

After a cuppa in the Georgian tea rooms, we continued along the river bank battling against the wind but still in strong sunshine, to Althorpe where we caught the train back to Liverpool St.

A very enjoyable day out.

26th May 2019 Guildford to Godalming along the river Wey

Seven members did a pleasant walk on bank holiday Sunday along the river Wey in Surrey. At the start of the walk we discovered an unexpected link on the riverbank with Lewis Carol with a statue of Alice and her sister watching the rabbit go down the hole. Apparently the main family home was in Guildford for many years; though Lewis never lived there he spent a lot of time there.Another surprise on the walk was meeting two locals who were harvesting a Signal Crayfish catch – apparently an American invasive species which has decimated the local crayfish as well as fish, frogs etc in the river, so needs to be kept under control. The catch had the added bonus that it was going to be a tasty supper dish!Following a picnic lunch at Unstead Lock at Peasmarsh, we arrived at Farncombe Boathouse cafe in time to avoid the only light shower of the day and also see one of the horse drawn barges that do trips from Godalming.On arrival at Godalming we enjoyed the music of a folk band as we walked through Phillips Memorial Park, where there was a local festival.Consultation with smartphone apps resulted in some discussion of how far we had walked. Conclusion undecided, tho the apps said 7.3 miles. (this included walk to station in the morning). Although an easy walk, respectable distance covered!

Photos and words by Liz Kingston-Smith

19th May 2019 Chalfont and Latimer [Metropolitan line] to Chesham. 6 miles

Chalfont and Latimer [Metropolitan line] to Chesham. 6 miles easy walking. Bring sandwiches. Tea shops in Chesham.