Bledlow
November Day Walk: Bledlow. This could well go down as the best November weather day of the last century: very mild, barely a warm breeze, and bathed in glorious sunshine from start to finish.
Coupled with this was a great full day walk, well rehearsed by Brian and Alison, on a less frequented Chiltern's scarp circuit, with some wonderful hilly vistas from start to finish.
From the luxurious village of Bledlow, we first climbed south up the scarp and then continued on or just off the crest, through a series of beech woods. At 11 a.m., the 17 of us stood, to join in the Nation's two-minute silence, aided by Julie's radio connection and a memorable poem read by Brian.
When we reached Collier's Lane, we turned eastwards and walked down that dry valley bottom track for a couple of miles.The fields curving up on either side were glowing emerald green with the
sun on the newly growing winter cereal crops. Kites and a buzzard drifted above us. We stopped for lunch on a sunny grass bank by Radnage Church which we then explored. It is an ancient little gem, a still used and personal place. Inside, the walls have an attractive variety of wall paintings, dating from the twelfth
century.
There followed two climbs and two descents, the first up to Bledlow Ridge, which has a ribbon development of houses on the top. We then walked northwards along and down the ridge with magnificent views to Lacy Green and Whiteleaf Cross. The final climb up Lodge Hill, a chalk outlier, gave us panoramic views all round.
Back in Bledlow, Brian and Alison revealed a secret gem called the Lyde Garden. It is a
water garden, open to the public, built around a natural scarp foot chalk spring, with board walks and monuments round it, so that the water areas can be seen to their best advantage. The
final blessing of the day was the opportunity of welcome refreshment at The Lions of Bledlow. Thanks to all who came, and especially Brian and Alison. Liz
Coupled with this was a great full day walk, well rehearsed by Brian and Alison, on a less frequented Chiltern's scarp circuit, with some wonderful hilly vistas from start to finish.
From the luxurious village of Bledlow, we first climbed south up the scarp and then continued on or just off the crest, through a series of beech woods. At 11 a.m., the 17 of us stood, to join in the Nation's two-minute silence, aided by Julie's radio connection and a memorable poem read by Brian.
When we reached Collier's Lane, we turned eastwards and walked down that dry valley bottom track for a couple of miles.The fields curving up on either side were glowing emerald green with the
sun on the newly growing winter cereal crops. Kites and a buzzard drifted above us. We stopped for lunch on a sunny grass bank by Radnage Church which we then explored. It is an ancient little gem, a still used and personal place. Inside, the walls have an attractive variety of wall paintings, dating from the twelfth
century.
There followed two climbs and two descents, the first up to Bledlow Ridge, which has a ribbon development of houses on the top. We then walked northwards along and down the ridge with magnificent views to Lacy Green and Whiteleaf Cross. The final climb up Lodge Hill, a chalk outlier, gave us panoramic views all round.
Back in Bledlow, Brian and Alison revealed a secret gem called the Lyde Garden. It is a
water garden, open to the public, built around a natural scarp foot chalk spring, with board walks and monuments round it, so that the water areas can be seen to their best advantage. The
final blessing of the day was the opportunity of welcome refreshment at The Lions of Bledlow. Thanks to all who came, and especially Brian and Alison. Liz
View from top of Bledlow Ridge over the vale of Aylesbury. New growth glowing green in the sun light. In Lyde Water Garden
Outstanding weather with amazing autumn colours
