Only 1 walker emerged from the very crowded 4 car train (going on to Bicester Village) for this easy walk in dry with sunny intervals weather. There are two imponderables on this route: the water levels of the Thame and its tributaries after heavy rain, and the current effect of HS2 works on the rights of way near Aylesbury. Both were to throw up challenges...

The Thame crossing early on was just about walkable, ie neither the bridges nor the path between them were fully submerged. A little further along though, by Long Mead Copse, the bridge over a tributary was more than ankle deep under water, with the stream now also too wide to jump across and without a nearby alternative crossing. Cue some trespassing through a couple of fields and a longish road stretch along Crendon Road into Chearsley. The Thame meadows past Chearsley then were mildly under water, but eminently negotiable until one got to the far away field gate to leave the meadow. There it was a question of using the wire fence as support to only have the tip of the boots in the water.

The upside of the waterlogged meadows was that there were very large numbers of geese and what looked and sounded like seagulls, all chaotically flying around. Maybe due to the handful of birds of prey that were circling above?

Also seen (and heard) crossing the skies: a helicopter flying in the general direction of Waddesdon Manor. Dropping off a Rothschild or two for the Crimbo festivities, perchance?

I got to The Seven Stars in Dinton bang on 12.00 hours, which was just as well, as they were fully booked for later times but could 'squeeze me in' for that early sitting.

There was more standing water later on in other fields, but it was nothing special for the time of year.

On then to Bishopstone, Sedrup and Hartwell. Rounding Hartwell House's grounds, a dog walker had forewarned me that the footpath NE of Hartwell is now closed for the foreseeable due to HS2 works. Last year, the footpath had been put between high wire fences across the stretch where the line will later run (on stilts), so why was it now closed? Turns out all they have done in 15 months is put down a tarmac work access road across the footpath, but obviously the £100 Billion HS2 budget does not have any contingencies for a temporary footbridge over said work access road!

That closure now leaves a grand total of one right of way still open to the SW of Aylesbury. Madness.

For me, it was back to the bus stop at The Bugle Horn for the next bus back to Haddenham, which neatly connected to the 15.35 train. That train was almost empty, as it originated from Banbury, not Oxford (via Bicester Village)...

Why not buy a day return to Aylesbury?

not valid to haddenham. not valid to princes r either, as the outbound train disnae stop there...

Yes of course, if you wanted to use an Aylesbury return (and be bona fide on a fast train back from there) you'd have to catch the 9:43 and buy a single from Princes to Haddenham & Thame Parkway (£1-80 with a rail card)

Just 4 on this outing, with the weather being better than forecast, as - after 20 minutes or so of drizzle - it stayed dry bar a few minute-long squalls. Even some specks of blue sky could be spotted in the afternoon. That's after the wait for food at the lunch pub, The Seven Stars in Dinton, had been implausibly long (a humble salad and a minute steak shouldn't take 40 mins, surely?).

The handful of arable field crossings yielded some clay packs clinging to boots, else the ground in the pastures and along the paths was firmish. Mostly clear views of The Chilterns and the hills to the North, with the fast-moving bands of clouds at higher levels. The dark clouds moved in again late in the afternoon though, but by then we had stopped to have tea at The Bugle Horn and then took the bus from there. 17.18 train.

Unfortunately there was no staff at Aylesbury station or on the train, so we had no way to check the ticket validity situation. largely dry if very overcast at times

The first day of the sales meant that the Bicester Village-Express was full to the brim, with standing room only for late arrivals (I think the SWC all got seats though), so much so that Chiltern Rail were later apologising for the conditions due to "unforseen high demand". Maybe next year just put on 6 car-trains?

Anyway, 10 walkers managed to disentangle themselves from the crowds to get off the train at Haddenham and embark on this gentle walk in very sunny weather. 3 arable field crossings early on (1 large, 2 small), else fine grassy fields or grassy field boundaries. The Thame River, Notley Abbey and several pretty villages with lots of thatched and Wychert-walled houses provided some interest on top of the views of rolling hills left and right (did I mention the fine far views in the crisp, clear air?). The Chilterns never seemed so close...

Lunch at the Bottle & Glass in Gibraltar was just right, served at a table by the fireplace, after which two walkers had another short stop at the next pub in Dinton.

2 other walkers left us after Dinton church to take the bus back from the nearby A-road, 1 sandwicher was long out of sight (and later met again on the bus, having finished the full walk to Aylesbury), the other 7 arrived at the Bugle Horn in Stone at 16.15, which left 20 minutes to the next bus for a swift one.

A great day for being out and about, spent in very good company.

Intend going. Weather forecast looks great

16 sunny

1 walker chose an earlier train, whom we caught and lost at the lunch pub, then caught and lost again at Hartwell. 15 off the - delayed - 10.40 arrival.

A beautiful day for this walk through the lower parts of the Thame Valley, incl. several pretty villages. The overnight rain had cleared the air and the Chiltern views were as good as I've seen them on this route.

The group soon split up into faster and slower walkers, all briefly re-uniting at the Bottle & Glass in Gibraltar, where food, drink, service and atmosphere were just right. 4 sandwichers then moved swiftly on, as the lunchers took a while (order taking the bottleneck, a regular problem these days), not to be seen again.

The other 12 stayed together to Hartwell and visited the - not quite as posh as expected - Hartwell House Spa Cafe. Then again: how many tea stops are there on the circuit where you can overlook the pool of a five star hotel from your table...?

There was some criticism of the quality of the cakes (not shared by me, I had an excellent toasted tea cake), but then - apparently - we should have phoned ahead, so that the cafe would have been better 'prepared'...(more cakes? a pre-arranged large table? doors shut and locked?).

All in: excellent views, dry ground, good company, pretty villages, some impressive stately piles and a swift train journey.

18.29 train for the 12, a drink or two at the cosy pub in Marylebone station for the hardcore...

Onwards, another walk tomorrow...

Good Friday walk

The Hartwell Spa cafe is open until 7pm during weekdays and 9pm weekends as they serve dinner as well as afternoon yes fare and it opens at 9am even for non-residents. The in-mates can wander around in dressing gowns so no-one needs to feel intimidated about the ambiance which is old-fashioned country house. They had had a very busy day so only 6 cakes left and no scones so booking is definitely advised and the service slow and less than enthusiastic about 12 walkers rocking up at 5pm.

I for one was most grateful for the refreshment stop after 13 miles of relentlessly long vistas of flat fields and endless sunshine culminating in the expedition support vehicle whisking 2 of us off in luxury to Aylesbury station (local bus) without having to complete the full 15 miles. All in all a great day out and nice to meet some weekend walkers who endure the toil and strife of full-time work.