Walking The Ridgeway - Princes Risborough to Chinnor

Continuing from the northerly end of the walk we began in the village of Radnage, the next leg of the walk. As usual a circular walk incorporating a stretch of the Ridgeway and surrounding countryside. In total a walk of 9.6 miles.

 On this Royal Wedding day it was nice to just escape all the hype and get out into this green and pleasant land of ours.
We quickly had to cross the railway line going over the roof of Saunderton tunnel. The path then took us through Princes Risborough Golf Course which was strangely deserted for a glorious Saturday morning? More wedding watchers probably.   One of the holes looked particularly tricky with its pond right next to the green. The graveyard of many a golf ball I shouldn't wonder. Maybe the Carp are feeding on them? Some of them were massive and very tame too. Literally feeding out of my hand , either that or I am 'The Carp whisperer/ tickler ??

Once again we are treated to some amazing scenery and views and hardly a cloud in the sky. There is so much greenery it is quite re-assuring in these times of over-development. Above us there are plenty of  Red Kites that are so familiar around the M40 corridor and The Chilterns.

The Ridgeway joins up with The Icknield way sharing the same path until the IW takes a 

       straight course to Princes Risborough, while The Ridgeway meanders on a roundabout route. 

 Through the trees there are cracking views of Princes Risborough in the distance. There is a cricket match taking place , what could be more typical of a late Spring weekend afternoon?

The track at times climbs quite steeply and the chalk underneath is already parched and dry. Although it is nothing compared to the 'Chinnor Hill 'we encounter when we leave The Ridgeway which is a monster.

 Yoesden Nature Reserve is a beautiful sunny grassland bank and wood in the tranquil Radnage Valley near High Wycombe. It contains some rare and precious chalk grassland.

In summer the grassland is full of common and spotted orchids, bird's foot trefoil, kidney vetch, Devil's-bit scabious and later on Chiltern gentians. rare butterflies can be found including the Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue and Small Blue.

 The wild flowers are really looking their finest in the meadows.

The mature beech woodland has some important ground flora including wild garlic, primroses, birds nest orchid and wood anemone.

The picture to the left shows Allium ursinum – known as ramsons, buckrams, wild garlic, broad-leaved garlic, wood garlic, bear leek, or bear's garlic – is a wild relative of chives. It could easily be mistaken for 'Lily of the Valley' actually.


As we get nearer to our starting destination  the footpath takes us through the churchyard of St Marys Radnage. Built by the Knights Templar in the late twelfth or early thirteenth century, it has been prayed in for over a thousand years and has an atmosphere that reflects this. The church tower is original and about 10 feet square and of a style which has elements of the late Norman and early English periods.

 I really liked the seemingly long forgotten graves , overgrown and unvisited. The sunlight through the tress shining on them gave them a prominence that didn't go unnoticed.

Back at our starting point we are conveniently close to 'The Boot' Public House .It is one of those ponsey 'Gastronome' pubs that charge ridiculous prices for food that gets served on a house brick or roof slate.The beer isn't cheap either but needs must when the devil drives and any port in a storm .

I had a pint of ' Marlow Rebellion Brewery' 'Legend' (4.2%) .A fruity Pale Ale with complex fruity notes of apricot, citrus and spice.

As we sat enjoying our well earned liquid refreshment in the pub garden, our old friends the 'Red Kites' sat in the trees looking down on us.

Walking close to the River Nene - Commander's Spinney

Bit of a last minute 'impromptu' decision to go walking on this particular sunny Sunday afternoon. Found a nice route in my 'Walking close to the Nene' guide. Our starting point was The Square at Earls Barton, walking along West Street and crossing the B573 we soon found ourselves crossing fields filled with sheep and lambs. The next field was full of Broad Beans coming into flower before further fields of vibrant yellow Rape.

  

Leaving the fields we arrived in the pretty village of Ecton. Following the road out of the village we crossed the A45taking an immediate left and passed 'Commanders Spinney'. A dyke trickled along on our right side as we continued along a hardcore road path .Crossing two bridges we arrived at Cogenhoe Mill (pronounced cook-noe). There was a beautiful Heron (one of many we were to see) by the riverbank where we picked up the 'Nene Way' footpath.

 From there we followed the rivers edge as it gently meandered it's way along to Whiston lock.

I think the highlight had to be seeing a fleeting view of a Kingfisher flying down the river. A splash of electric blue before disappearing as quickly as it arrived. There are lovely views of Whiston Church in the distance beyond the fields No wonder it is known as 'A jewel on a hilltop'. A Common Tern circles above us while Mrs Duck swims downstream trying to keep almost a dozen unruly ducklings under control. It really is a scene from a perfect Summers Day.
 
We spotted several swans all sitting on their nests of reeds keeping their eggs warm and safe from predators. The only noise is the drone from the nearby A45 but it can't disturb the scene that is one of peace, calmness and tranquility. Sadly on reaching Whiston lock it is time to turn inland and begin an uphill climb back up to Earls Barton.



The striking landmark of the church tower tells us we are nearly home. It is one of the finest examples of Saxon church architecture in the country.

 

Jubilee Way (Leics) Burrough Hill to Burton Lazars

A sunny day and the start of a new walk. This time the 'Jubilee Way', set up and opened to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee in 1977. The footpath starts at Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire and passes though Scalford, Goadby Marwood and Lincolnshire, where it joins  the Viking way.

The official start is at Burrough Hill and follows a meandering course, passing through Melton Mowbray. We across pasture and woodland and past old ironstone workings near Eaton before the the eventual finishing point at Belvoir castle from where there are said to be fine views over the Vale of Belvoir.
Altogether the Jubilee Way is about 24 kilometres long.

 

Burrough Hill is an Iron Age hillfort about 210 metres (690 ft) above sea level. It provides stunning views over the surrounding countryside , particularly on a clear day like today. local The area is the reputed birthplace of Stilton cheese , not that I shall be indulging that is for sure. 




Historically the area was pasture and infamous for foxhunting unfortunately! Today much land is arable, but dairy, beef and sheep also feature. Our wanderings took us to the village of Burton Lazars, It is the site of the remains of the English headquarters of the military hospital 'The order of St Lazarus'.

Church of St James Burton Lazars

 

Originally an Anglo Saxon village called 'Burtone' at the time of William the Conqueror and the Domesday book in 1086. The name was changed during the crusades of the 12th century when it opened a Leper Hospital and became 'Burton St Lazarus'. The village has a natural sulphorous spring which was probably a major reason for the location of the hospital. Sadly we couldn't even find a tap to quench our thirst and there was no pub or shop as the temperature soared. The name quickly became abbreviated to ' Burton Lazars'.

 

There was hardly a soul to be seen as we made our way full circle back to the starting point at Burrough Hill. A good thing really as my new boots were starting tell me enough was enough after just short of  9 miles. Some of the views on this stretch of the walk were absolutely stunning and given me an appetite to complete the remaining legs at some stage.