The weather forecast had been for a bright sunny day so I had my fingers crossed. It would be a welcome change after the repeated days of grey skies and rain we had been experiencing for many weeks. Sure enough that’s how the day started and it stayed that way making the walk even more special. Seventeen of us assembled outside Amersham station. There was a short delay whilst members used the nearest public toilets because the station toilets were closed and after the usual briefing we set off.
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The Great Wood itself was quite muddy in parts but nothing we couldn’t cope with and was soon followed by a short steep ascent and descent down to the lovely village of Hambleden for lunch.
Some of the group ate a picnic outside the church – enhanced with cake and coffee from the village shop, whilst others braved the crowds in the Stag and Huntsman pub.
The church is disproportionately large compared to the size of the village. It boasts the fact that WH Smith, founder of the newsagents and stationery chain, is buried in the churchyard and inside has a wooden chest which travelled with Lord Cardigan during the ill-fated charge of the Light Brigade. It also has a beautiful painted ceiling and an organ. In fact one of our members spent some time chatting with the organist before she began to play.
After lunch we contoured the side of the valley, with fine views, before crossing the Thames over the dramatic weir at Hambledon Mill where we were joined by another polyrambler to complete the remainder of the walk. We then crossed the water meadows to the tiny village of Aston, before the final stretch over the lower part of Remenham Hill – mainly arable fields, though with small patches of woodland, back to Henley. Here about half of the group stopped for tea and cake before making their way home.
Although the sun did not really appear, the rain held off and we had a lovely day.
Rochelle
Photos by Ida and Joyanna
