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9 on this one-off rail strike adventure into the Chilterns, not put off by a grey, wet start to the day. In fact it was only drippy in the morning with sun for a time in the afternoon . Slithery mud underfoot provided exercise for the lateral leg muscles.

This walk actually had a sneaky extra agenda which I did not put in the walk post, which was to pass some HS2 construction sites. There was a preview on the last leg of the train journey from West Ruislip to Denham, which gives a good view of the line emerging from its long London tunnel. Early in the walk we then went down Moorhall Road, where piers for the two mile long Colne Valley Viaduct have already been erected.

A tranquil section on the Grand Union Canal followed, then a walk along the edge of one of the area’s many lakes (former gravel pits, now charmingly set amidst trees). We passed under a completed section of the viaduct where it crosses the A412 and then headed up into the hills. From Old Shire Lane (a bridleway) there was a fine view of the vast HS2 “factory site” for the viaduct and Chilterns tunnel, which will later be turned into 90 hectares of chalk downland using the tunnel spoil.

After this it was into Terra Incognita - across a golf course and down into the not unpleasant (though rather traffic-laden) town of Chalfont St Peter. The Greyhound Inn here made a perfectly pleasant lunch stop.

After lunch we slithered up the Misbourne Valley, the surface mud from the overnight rain being a bit of a nuisance. But the skies were by now brightening and there was an abundance of birdsong. In all during the walk I heard 20 blackbirds, as well as chaffinch, wren, mistle thrush and lots more besides. One very brief burst of chiffchaff.

Once we got to Chalfont St Giles we were reversing the morning route of the Amersham Circular walk, a pleasant climb up into the hills. The sun came out. I stripped down to shirtsleeves for the first time since September. Springlike sentiments flooded through my mind.

After passing through a stupendous bluebell wood (not yet out) on the edge of a golf course, two peeled off to do a shorter ending at Chalfont & Latimer station. Two others we did not see after lunch. So five of us continued down into Old Amersham.

Here the tea room had disappointingly just shut. We went instead to the modernised Griffin pub, which had disturbing artwork on its walls, but which served us tea, fruit cordial and gin and tonic with courtesy. One then left to get the 6.22 Metropolitan Line train from Amersham while four of us walked up through a birdsong-filled dusk wood to be far too early for the 6.52. We had a nice chatty ride back to London, not fortified by two surreptitious airline bottles of wine from Tesco’s, because that is not allowed on the Underground.

I'd estimate 14 people (but I didn't count so please correct me if I'm wrong). A pleasant and relaxing walk in dry and sunny conditions and good company.

Margaret

Hi, I'm planning to join you tomorrow. It's my 2nd hike with SWC - hope I can recognise the group. I assume there is only 1 exit from Amersham station so I'll be there at 10:57!

A fine sunny day for this fairly short walk. Most took lunch at the Feathers (Merlin Cave is being refurbished), the odd latecomer made our number 12 .

15 today. The weather was cloudy with patchy sun It tried to rain once or twice but gave up. After the Martyrs monument, some of the younger ones ran gleefully ahead - downhill on the wrong path – ignoring our earnest entreaties to return. They caught us up later, shamefaced and maybe a little wiser. Any hopes that this was a bluebell-free walk were soon dashed. The wood adjoining the golf course was full of them. A display grudgingly described as “quite good”

The stretch after the golf course, that has been described as ‘waterlogged’ and ‘impassable’ in earlier comments, was bone-dry. The nearby stream is almost at path level, though, so maybe not advisable to post this walk after prolonged rain. There are confusing and contradictory path diversion signs over the next stretch (and similarly on the way back). However, other than generating frissons of doubt, these did not affect our route,

In Chalfont St G, some were fed and watered in Merlins Cave. Others sat on the green.

The climb up out of Chalfont could perhaps do with a little more confirmatory detail - perhaps a few house names or something (I can only remember Laurel House).

A regular walker commented that the walk was more than a 3. Which, coincidentally, was about the time we reached Amersham.

Anyone attending this walk? I shall be boarding the train at Harrow on the Hill station and hope to see some of you on the train. Merry Christmas and hope all of you had a great Christmas lunch.

Monica

Intend going will catch tube at Liverpool Street (9:48 Metropolitan Line departure)

Apparently 9:57 departure from Kings Cross/St. Pancras if your suffering from a high BMI (big mincepie intake)

I have a few comments/corrections about today's Amersham circular walk.... 6. Continue along the field edge for another 30m. 9.... after about 30m take a path between houses on the right. 11. bear left across a small green to reach a fenced footpath, which leads down to a residential road. 18. (delete "and across a stile"). 27. Follow the fenced path round two sides of the field to reach a narrow wooden footbridge. One more point.... the "thatched house" mentioned in "19" has changed name, so I suggest the following...just after the last house before the bend to the right, take a fenced-in footpath, indicated by a small footpath sign above a 40 mph speed restriction sign....

Re my comments below, the "thatched house" was mentioned in "21" (not "19"). There were 17 walkers and the weather was mild and cloudy . I did the walk by myself and had sandwiches outside Merlins Cave in Chalfont St Giles. Perhaps someone else can comment on the lunch options?

Apparently Spurs won 5 nill at Wembly. Walkers on the tube back from Amersham got all the details as the train filled up at Wembly station

In response to David below, most of the non sandwichers dined at Merlins Cave, which managed to accommodate all in the group who wished to have lunch. The staff were very friendly and efficient and the food passable (small portions at Chalfont St Doodah prices) but the pub was a welcomed stop on the day - and the draught beer was very good !

Today's choice of walk was perfect for Boxing Day, an ideal length over terrain with mud levels manageable. The turnout was excellent - and probably a SWC record for a Boxing Day walk.

With LT underground travel working well, all seemed to have a thoroughly enjoyable day. And how nice to escape from the family and stretch ones legs in the countryside after Christmas Day indulgences.

" 3 on this walk" LT

are we meeting at Amersham station then ? good to have a meeting point..

There's a Metropolitan Line tube from Baker Street to Amersham at 10:05, arriving at 10:55. I guess that's been recommended because it would allow people to join from a number of intermediate stations in north-west London. If you take the faster Chiltern Railways service from Marylebone at 9:57 (arriving Amersham at 10:32) you might be able to grab a coffee while waiting for the others.

3 damp and dull Light rain in the morning, dry in the afternoon. Alas, this did not apply to the wet mud which was an almost permanent feature of this walk. Three set out from the station, missing the monument but eventually locating the right path. One went on ahead and wasn't seen again. Two had lunch at Merlin's Cave in Chalfont St Giles which was pleasant but a bit pricey. The Crown is now a Costa Coffee and the Feathers is currently closed for renovation. After navigating even muddier fields with large puddles in places, two enjoyed tea, teacakes and scones in Amersham before the final climb back to the station.