An unexpectedly sunny morning greeted 27 of us (plus Fynn) to Bledlow for Anne’s walk in this particularly picturesque part of the Chiltern Hills. At the briefing we were warned of 4 steep hills but that actually Anne had lost count! To balance this we were informed that it was a little short of 10 miles. Setting off on a gradual incline we were soon out into lush green sun-lit vistas with white chalky paths. Before long we noticed the gradient suddenly increase and we puffed our way up the hill side. At the top, the view opened up to a panorama overlooking the Chinnor area. With the sunshine and clear air we could see for miles. Layers were shed and drinks started but this wasn’t our official stop so we were soon on our way again. We remained on a level after that and joined a quiet lane with magnificent homes. We wondered how any visitors or delivery drivers would find these out-of-village homes which had names but no numbers or even road name evident.

As we entered woodland much of the floor was carpeted in wild garlic and the smell was very strong. Anne told us of how it could be incorporated into pesto with basil and had made several batches from her recce already. The wild garlic went on for several woods so there was plenty of opportunity for us all to go foraging but without sealed bags or Tupperware to hand it probably wouldn’t have survived the day. At our snack stop my new rucksack was discussed and we spotted that many of our rucksacks had an in-built whistle in the chest strap. Quite a few hadn’t realised that so there was an impromptu whistle-blowing of these newly-found little devices. A few hills later and we arrived at Radnage where the church yard provided ample seating either on benches or on the warm sloping grass. Our presence had not gone undetected by the local red kites. Some noticed one particular red kite circling quite low over our group eyeing up lunch opportunities. Steve H was just about to tuck into his sardine sandwich when he was relieved of the sardines from inside the sandwich as the red kite swooped skilfully to catch his fishy lunch. The rest of Steve’s sandwich was sent flying with just the bread being left. It was an amazing moment and kept us amused for the rest of the lunch break. Unfortunately the incident was not caught on camera but was witnessed by several. Lunch over, we decided that this location would make a good place to snap a group photo. Unsure what to have in the background, a picture was taken with our backs to the countryside and another with backs to the church. Mariella obliged to take photos. 

Continuing on after lunch, our route took us through beautiful landscapes. At one point we could see the West Wycombe mausoleum on a distant hilltop. Small red flowers in one field were identified as red clover. Our route was accompanied by lovely birdsong and for much of the way by the delightful song of the Skylark. We walked though a field of sheep and lambs and soon afterwards arrived back into Bledlow, near the 16th century Lions of Bledlow pub. Finally we admired the beauty of the horse chestnut tree flowers next to our parked cars. Our walk over we thanked Anne and Steve for this very attractive walk and made our ways home.