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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOODDerek Harwood's Walking Records If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com | |||||
COUSINS' WALK - CHEQUERS | |||||
Butler's Cross - Buckinghamshire
Friday 30th March 2007 ........................................Walk No. 694 |
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COUSINS' WALK No. 12 Total 99.5 miles Time Taken: 5 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: Very Misty 10:30 am - 3:30 pm 7.5 miles 80% Dull & Threat of Rain Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Wild Life: Ostrich 13oC 100% Spots Very Poor Muddy in Places Deer, Woodpecker Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 1027.5 mls 931.5 mls 1823.5 mls 162 mls 1099 mls 5043.5 miles Companions: (Derek) Ken, Larry & Dennis Points of Interest and LINKS: Bulter's Cross Aylesbury Ring Path Kimble South Bucks Way Chequers Knap Aylesbury Walk Chequers Estate Ridgeway Path Little Hampden Coombe Hill - 853 feet (260 metres). Coombe Hill MemorialDescription: Parked Ken's car in Elm Close, Butler's Cross, outside an old ladies house with her approval. Crossed Chalkshire Road to the 'Aylesbury Ring' footpath, heading west to Little Kimble. Level walk to start through pasture fields of horses, past Ellesborough Village church on the hill and the picturesque thatched Spring Cottage in Springs Lane. As we reached Little Kimble the footpath passed alongside a house with no boundary fence on the house side. Very unusual and refreshing. Passed the War Memorial at the bottom of Little Kimble Hill on the A4010, with a view across the fields to school children on their cross country run. Entered Great Kimble, passing 'The Bernard Arms' public house and St Nicholas Church (with a pub like sign), to the 'North Bucks Way' finger post at the bottom of a lane. A short way up the lane we noticed ostriches & deer in the adjacent fields. On the field side of the fence were five huge ostrich eggs. Almost worth having a 'fry up'. Just before we reached the Ridgeway path, we passed a picturesque standing dead tree by Chequers Knap. This would have made a good subject for a painting or drawing. As we walked along the 'Cradle Footpath' of the 'Ridgeway', we passed several waymarkers with 'Blair's Lair' chalked down the post, indicating that we weren't far from Chequers Estate. Good views down 'Happy Valley', pity the weather was so misty. Crossed a field of cows and calfs to Whorley Wood and the muddy track by the boundary fence of Chequers. This boundary fence is very unusual, because it is made of impaled railway line sections, about a metre high and a metre spacing. No barbed wire, just a couple of horizontal bars of metal stopping anyone from entering the field or estate without climbing over. After a discussion we concluded that the fence was a security device against unwelcome machinery entering the estate. We stopped for a drink and nibble on a log alongside the fence in Maple Wood. We resumed our walk and followed the Ridgeway path over the Chequers Drive by the gatehouse, to the lane by Buckmoorend Farm. Here we left the 'Way' and walked past the farm at five past noon. The farm wall clock showed the time as noon, but the passing farmer explained that the clock had stopped. We intended to walk from the lane along 'Ickneild Way' to the Rising Sun public house at Little Hampden Village. We advertently added a loop via Hengrove Wood to the pub as a few spots of rain hurried us along. Ken, Den & Laz took their boots off before entering the pub, but I tied carrier bags around my boots. I received a few curious glances from the other customers. After a welcome couple of pints and a ploughman's lunch we continued along 'Ickneild Way' & 'Ridgeway' towards Coombe Hill, passing a poor attempt to construct a stick shelter and an unknown bird in Goodmerhill Wood. Had we discovered a new species? We thought we had spotted a Greater Spotted Woodpecker, but the photos suggest otherwise. As we neared the summit of Coombe Hill, we passed a huge fallen tree which had fallen trunks in three directions. No evidence of a lightning strike, so we were mystified again. Good views from Coombe Hill across to Beacon Hill & Ellesborough Village. Again a pity the mist was so bad. Impressive monument on Coombe Hill, dedicated to the South African Boer War fallen heroes. Very steep descent from the monument through Hill End Farm to the road into Butler's Cross Village and the car, passing the War Memorial to the two Great Wars and the 'Russell' public house. Thanks to Ken for organising the day's walking. Location: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start & finish: from Butler's Cross Village 484275/207120, - via: Chequers Estate 484130/205535, - via: Rising Sun Public House - Little Hampden Village 485700/203930. (Click on location and use Zoom). Hazards: Always study the map to check your location throughout the walk. An additional 'loop' to the day's walking may be welcome at times, but generally it is unwelcome at the end of a long day's walking. Do not stray from the path, especially near Chequers Estate. If you do, your fate can only be guessed. The punishment was 'Thumbs Screws', who knows what it is now? Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage | |||||
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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2007 Devised: April 2007 |