July Evening Walk: Fingest
The great Norman tower of Fingest church
After a restoring coffee in the local shop in the charming village square at Hambleden we set off on a beautiful warm sunny morning on this delightful 11-mile route. We welcomed a number of new walkers, some trying out SAR, others simply enjoying the day. The walk took us northwards, bypassing Skirmett, through pastures, farms and woodland. Several red kites were seen soaring, providing a clear view of their wingspan.
After a 'steepish' climb through Adam's wood we were rewarded with a magnificent view of the valley, overlooking the village of Fingest, with the windmill at Turville visible on the opposite hillside. We had a morning tea break before descending to Saint Bartholomew's Church. The inside was deceptively small as the building is dwarfed by a 12th century Norman tower. No wedding is supposed to be lucky unless the bridegroom lifts the bride over the locked church gate when leaving after the ceremony; a custom still practised today.
Lunchtime found us in the village of Turville, famous as the set for the Vicar of Dibley (and somewhat overcrowded with 'fans' of the Vicar)! Thanks to Yvonne's persuasive efforts we were granted leave to escape from the throng to have lunch in the nicely sheltered grounds of the church, a picturesque spot with the windmill visible behind the main street. In the afternoon we headed back along part of the Chiltern Way towards Southend where we veered off through bridle paths, fileds and some lovely beech woods back to Hambleden. Yvonne noticed a sign for tea and homemade cakes at the local church so we all finished the walk as we started, with a relaxing cuppa (and first-class cakes). It will be hard to match the standard as an end to other walks!
Thanks to Yvonne and Tony for arranging an interesting and enjoyable walk. Alison
After a 'steepish' climb through Adam's wood we were rewarded with a magnificent view of the valley, overlooking the village of Fingest, with the windmill at Turville visible on the opposite hillside. We had a morning tea break before descending to Saint Bartholomew's Church. The inside was deceptively small as the building is dwarfed by a 12th century Norman tower. No wedding is supposed to be lucky unless the bridegroom lifts the bride over the locked church gate when leaving after the ceremony; a custom still practised today.
Lunchtime found us in the village of Turville, famous as the set for the Vicar of Dibley (and somewhat overcrowded with 'fans' of the Vicar)! Thanks to Yvonne's persuasive efforts we were granted leave to escape from the throng to have lunch in the nicely sheltered grounds of the church, a picturesque spot with the windmill visible behind the main street. In the afternoon we headed back along part of the Chiltern Way towards Southend where we veered off through bridle paths, fileds and some lovely beech woods back to Hambleden. Yvonne noticed a sign for tea and homemade cakes at the local church so we all finished the walk as we started, with a relaxing cuppa (and first-class cakes). It will be hard to match the standard as an end to other walks!
Thanks to Yvonne and Tony for arranging an interesting and enjoyable walk. Alison
