Springtime on the Chilterns

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We are so lucky to live in such an accessible place, near to many urban populations but wonderfully rural thanks to the topography of the Chilterns.
You may all moan about the steepish ascents and descents we sometimes include on walks but without that you do not get those spectacular views – often with no one else in sight.

Spring is one of the most wonderful times of year with everything looking fresh and beautiful – the beechwoods, wild flowers and plethora of birds and other wildlife.
There are many SSI’s with rare plants and birds and only this morning I heard a cuckoo – once plentiful but no longer.
Otters and kingfishers are more frequent sights and some areas there are nightingales singing and other less common birds.

A walk along the quieter stretches of river often yields sightings of these birds and animals, nesting swans and other water birds, the Loddon lily, reed beds and wildflowers

A Foot in the Chilterns is 10

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10 years ago I never envisaged where we would be today. Our Nordic Walking group has grown and evolved to become an inclusive and varied group trying to stave off the inevitable
ageing process. Getting out into the Chilterns at whatever pace suits each individual, chatting, making friends and sharing interests as we walk. It was lovely to welcome walkers current and past
on our anniversary.
Robin’s food was excellent, the rain stayed away, and we even had Ukrainian cake.

We celebrated with current and past walkers at the Barn at Turville Heath where Robin and his family fed and watered us and we enjoyed seeing everyone. Some walked and some just came for lunch.

We discovered the barn when it first opened and have had a number of events there including birthdays and memorials – it is a special place.

The Coronation

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Sue was brave enough to join me in campong out in the Mall in advance of the Coronation – completely mad but quite an experience.
Keen to witness a historical event and take to the street we went armed with a tent and new chairs plus waterproofs, food, phone chargers
and all sorts of paraphenalia.
Sue found a brilliant spot by the Australian flag opposite Clarence House (she is Australian). It also happened to be by the KP group – a bunch of people
who are royal superwatchers. They were constantly interviewed by the media. They adopted us and looked after us so all was well.

Rupert and one of Sue’s friends brought us supper which was extremely welcome


and the rain made an appearance every so often


We slept in our wonderful new chairs from Rohan and kept our stuff in the tent. The Friday night walk about was just beside us

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The King, the Prince and Princess of Wales, during a ‘walk about’ on the Mall today, ahead of tomorrows Coronation.

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The King, the Prince and Princess of Wales, during a ‘walk about’ on the Mall today, ahead of tomorrows Coronation.

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The King, the Prince and Princess of Wales, during a ‘walk about’ on the Mall today, ahead of tomorrows Coronation.


It was an interesting night and the morning brought all sorts of new issues – trying to fold down the tent which required a neighbouring professor and a Polish man to assist.
By then Marianne had arrived and was close by but due to people being very territorial we could not invite her to join us!

All in all it was definitely an experience not to be missed

After the procession we retired to St James’ Park for some very welcome chanmpagne brought by Marianne and toasted the Red Arrows in the fly past

Snowdrops

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Snowdrops herald the coming of spring. Although not an indigenous plant they have been here for hundreds of years and proliferate in woodlands and churchyards as well as gardens.

We are lucky to have so many near us and traditionally have used this time of year to visit known snowdrop locations and enjoy them – often amongst aconites and other flowers that emerge in colder times.

Some of our local commons have an abundance of these lovely flowers and hedgerows where people have discarded garden soil and the snowdrops amongst it have colonised the area.

The snowdrops at St Botoplhs at Swyncombe are legendary and people flock form far afield to enjoy the spectacle and indulge in tea and cake.
The funds raised for this lovely old church are substantial and keep the building maintained.

Dunsden is another church where they are gradually building up the carpet of snowdrops and combine their flowering with a Wilfred Owen Day.
Wilfred Owen was lay assistant to the then vicar from 2011-2013. The Owen in Dunsden organisation https://owenindunsden.org/
has a lot of information and developed a Wilfred Owen trail in the area which is well worth doing.
They have recently commisioned a stained glass window. They collaborated in a competition with the Glaziers company and the winner was Natasha
Redfern who is about to start creating this beautiful window for installation by November 2023.
Loddon Brewery has opened a Tap Room and farm shop which are within walking distance and well worth a visit https://loddonbrewery.com/tapyard/

Greys Court National Trust has snowdrops and lots of other flowering bulbs later in the season, Northend Common and Turville Heath are other local sites and you can visit the wonderful barn cafe – a no car cafe for refreshments but need to book https://www.thebarnatturvilleheath.com/

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