Length: 23.4km (14.5m)
Toughness: 6 / 10
Transport: Take the 9:37 train from London Paddington, change at Twyford onto the 10:15 to Henley arriving at 10:27. Return trains at xx:00 and xx:30.
This is a great walk across the Chiltern Hills to the north of Henley passing through extensive woodlands.
1 comment:
N=6
Four of us met on the train. The walk poster had gone ahead to the start in Henley, and we picked up another walker within the first half hour, bringing the party to six humans and a small dog.
It was excellent hiking weather: sunshine, a clear blue sky and no heat. We saw red kites and deer, startled a few pheasants, and spotted mushrooms emerging from the forest floor despite the dry weather.
There was some mutinous talk of a shortcut, but five humans and the dog completed the main 23.6 km route. The sixth headed north for an additional loop through Pishill. Three of the group forged ahead over hill after hill, with the other two and the dog never far behind. Five reunited at the lunch pub - the White Hart in Nettlebed - which earned positive reviews, and we crossed paths with our ambitious sixth walker shortly afterwards. Both internet research and the witness report of the sixth walker revealed that the pub in Pishill re-opened as a fusion Thai-English pub establishment. It may be worth a walk to discover the cross-over menu.
The pace after lunch was gentler and better suited to conversation. One walker, following the written instructions, took a different turn in the beech wood and eventually reached Henley by hitchhiking. We regrouped for a pleasant drink at the Angel before catching the 19:00 train to Twyford.
The hills were an achievement, but so was the range of conversation. We discussed Morris dancing with unexpected passion. We now know that one walker must take it up if he loses a bet; the remaining task is to agree on the bet. Dating golfers, the money supply and possible book plots also came up, with the latter leading several walkers down rabbit holes of deception and villainy. All in all, an excellent walk.
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