Walking the Ridgeway - Princes Risborough

 Third leg of the Ridgeway walk and to be honest it's been a bit disjointed so far. A short leg done at Avebury and another via Wendover woods. Todays route is a circular one of about 12 miles close to Princes Risborough.

 

Three dogs in tow today so should be interesting ! Our starting point was by The Plough Public House in Lower Cadsden. From there we got straight on to the Ridgeway.The route only skirts the town and part of it also involves a short distance along the busy A4010 . There is a nice viewpoint at Whiteleaf Hill which is also a nature reserve.

 

 Our downhill walk leads us into Brush Hill also a nature reserve. Habitats on the site are chalk grassland, woodland and scrub. flora include wood anemone and wood sorrel. Going underfoot is very 'cleggy' with all the recent rain and snow. There is beautiful scenery along the way though and the skies always seem to have a Red kite circling above. We even passed a windmill.



Some very nice properties too hidden away amongst the woodland in what would be a very expensive part of the country no doubt. Standing proud in the woodlands were several Sequoia trees which are very similar to the Giant Redwoods seen in California. The bark is soft and spongy, so much so that you can punch it and not feel a thing. Apologies to the tree , I never meant to hurt you....

 

Several Deers were spotted including Roe and Muncjac , unfortunately the dogs tended to find them first and most were running at speed in fear of their lives. 'Have a look at those interesting fungal growths on that tree' my companion said. Undettered by the wire fence,logs, brambles and roots I clambered onwards and promptly fell on my back. Next thing 'Archie' the Box Terrier is on top of me licking my face.... Could it be any worse?

Another fine mess !

  Grim's Ditch - (Grim's Ditch, Grim's Dyke (also Grimsdyke, Grimes Dike or Grim's Bank) is a name shared by a number of prehistoric bank and ditch earthworks that accompany the Ridgeway. The purpose of these earthworks is a mystery but it really isn't difficult to conjure up images of ancient travellers or drovers along the same routes.