It was a cloudy day with the forecast of heavy rain, which held off until the afternoon. The group was small - just 5 of us. Three men and 2 ladies - both named Dorothy, which simplified matters. Finally, there were some hills to walk up! I seem to have been walking flat for months now.
According to Pete, the walk leader and he of big stories - the village of Hambleden was owned by the WH Smith family (of stationery shop fame here in the UK). It is also used as a setting for Midsomer Murders. Makes for interesting walking if not necessarily true.
This was to be a 7 mile walk but we did go off route every now and then so it was probably a bit longer. We walked through forests and fields and a fair bit of mud.
This is a partial fairy ring of mushrooms in the middle of a large field. Depending on your viewpoint, either very lucky or a hazardous dangerous place!
Only the end of August and already the leaves are starting to turn. The mornings are quite chilly. I see some shopping in the very near future.
About halfway through the walk we popped in to a local winery and brewery, and had a look around a very small vineyard. I was pretty surprised when a saw grapes growing here. I somehow didn't think the climate would be suitable - I'm wrong!
But we didn't stay for lunch. We found a field with a view a little bit further on and had a picnic. Down in the valley we saw a herd of deer.
The weather was starting to close in so we had to get moving again. Down one of the back lanes we came across this wonderful hedge. Best I've seen so far. I wonder how long the boots will last there.
Another couple of miles and we were back into Hambleden and really happy to discover tea and cake in the Churchyard. The tables and chairs were interspersed amongst the tombstones sometimes using them as tables. We had earned that cake!
Tea in a graveyard..I like it!
ReplyDeleteI knew you would! It was good cake too.
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