19 turned out on a fair but windy day. We got to Bledlow around 1215 and effectively split into three groups of 5-7. A front group thought it was too early for lunch and pressed on. I think five ate in the Lions and were happy with their lunch once it arrived. I was in the middle group who mostly got something to drink and picnicked on the chilly tables outside the pub.

With fewer trains running than usual, three took various shortcuts to ensure they got the 1530, while the rest of us, including one more we met at the snowdrop-festooned churchyard in Radnage, did the full walk and had time for one or two drinks and some enjoyable chat at the Golden Cross. Some of the pub lunchers joined us there before all got the 1646 train. A fine day out.

Because of industrial action, TFL are advising people to have completed any tube journeys by 17:30 this evening. If you want to shorten the walk to 6.2 miles, combine the conventional start with the Princes Ris ending. https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/

An elite 6 today, plus one dog. We opted for the alternative route via Lacey Green. The weather was sunny but chilly . The morning was mostly firm underfoot but it had its muddy moments. Especially the one where a local mocked me for not wearing wellies.

Mr Tiger, of course, was with the fast group, reaching Bledlow about 1:30. But his even faster chums and the dog had sped ahead and were not in the Lions. Mystery of mysteries.

Nothing for it but to quaff a quick drink and head off. No sooner was it almost quaffed than who should turn up? Only the slow 3 who ordered slap up meals.

Mr Tiger thought about hanging around to see if there were any chips going (and to socialise, of course) but he was anxious to avoid any tube curfew mayhem. He made his excuses and left, aiming to get the 15:51 and change to the Central line. Readers, he caught the 14:51. Turns out that stretch only takes about 50 minutes. Not that it was a breeze. A long fenced-in section was more stream than footpath. And that was followed by a quaggy turnip field. Wellies, eh? Thankfully, he was on his own so spared any glowers from the rest of the group.

If Mr Tiger had lingered at the Lions in Bledlow, he would have found ample benefaction involving chips, largely because they were frozen ones of the most economy kind that no one wanted to finish. The salad was out of a bag. Food did though arrive quickly and with willing service. Opinions differed about this venue, from companions who thought it characterful, to me who thought its complete lack of basic maintenance took it over the line between historic and decrepit.

But by not contemplating any lingering, Mr Tiger got a train earlier than did four of us plus a dog, and thereby avoided being brought to a halt by a pair of trees fallen onto the track. Perhaps it was the shock wave generated by his passing no more than an hour earlier that caused them to subside. Passengers volunteered to get out and remove them but health and safety said no. After half an hour or so, the train reversed slowly back to Gerrard's Cross, from which three got an Uber to West Ruislip and made by just a few minutes what would have been the last Central Line train into London had the tube strike not been called off shortly before.

It would take much more than these tribulations to offset the attractiveness of the morning part of the walk, and the brilliant sunshine.

Where were the hardy walkers of SWC? 6 regulars assembled at the Saunderton station, in a cold and misty but very atmospheric day. Frost everywhere, on trees, shrubs, bushes and spider webs (poor spider, are you still alive? Your legancy will be remembered in our amazing photographs).

We arrived at Lions at about 12:30. 3 picnickers decided to continue as they wanted to catch 3:56pm train. 3 others ate in the pub, a relatively basic menu but missing the pub classics like fish & chips or scampi & chips. One had fish cakes, two opted for chicken pie, portions were plentiful. Just when we were about to leave the pub, 7th walker who missed the scheduled train came in. so 7 . We let her to enjoy her meal.

The afternoon segment was relentless but full of surprises. By then, the ground frost has gone and the dreaded mud reappeared. A couple of walkers slipped to the ground but no harm was done. A brief sunshine in the middle of afternoon lifted our spirits.

One luncher sped to catch 3:56pm train. Two other decided to take a short cut and got to the train station just after 4:30pm, decided to stay in the waiting room at the station rather than going to the pub as it was cutting a bit too close to comfort.

To everyone's surprise, the luncher who went ahead appeared on the platform 5 mins later having completed the full afternoon walk. We were then joined by two picnickers who just missed 3:56pm train by a few seconds and spent nearly an hour in Goldern Cross instead.

Only one walker got away with 3:56pm train who smugly waived at the two who missed it.

So 5 on 4:56pm train to London. We had a very lively discussion on the train back as the fragmentation (isolation) in the afternoon got everyone into the social mood, despite the fact we were sitting in a quiet coach (woops...). We took a cue from a fellow passenger who gave us a thumb up 'you were very entertaining', in a nice way, when she got off at Marylebone station.

The late starter texted us confirming she has safely arrived at the station a half hour later and was enjoying a drink at Golden Cross.

A nice day out despite....

Frosty and misty

The question of whether the spider is now dead is an interesting one. Orb weaver spiders, that make the classic garden webs in early autumn, are females who have laid eggs and guard them until they die of cold. But other spiders “hibernate” (not the right word, because hibernation is slowing down metabolism, which only mammals do) and appear in spring. Just this week I was hammering wire mesh into fence posts and several spiders appeared out of cracks and scurried off. I would like to know more about this topic…..

10 in sunshine and showers . Food and service at The Lions of Bledlow were excellent.

10 sunshine and showers

The only train I can see to Saunderton from Marylebone tomorrow is the 10.40, arriving 11.16

Many thanks Peter, now updated

18 on a fine walk on a sunny and breezy day with beautiful vistas. There were 7 diners at the Lions, which was reported to be good. Five more picknicked outside and the rest pressed on, some taking a short cut and others meeting the fastest picknickers on the 1616 train.

My group comfortably made the packed 1648, joined by one later luncher who just made it. Red kites, fluffy clouds, woolly lambs, aconites and a fair number of snowdrops were encountered, but hardly any other walkers despite the sunny weather.

7 and a medium sized dog on a day that started misty turned sunny

Despite my best whimpering, we hurtled through Lacey Green with nary a glance in the direction of the Whip Inn. On we sped, reaching the Lions of Bledlow by 1:30. A pleasant stay ensued, sitting at an outside table. Some ordered food, some just drank.

Then on, reaching Princes Ris by 3:20 Two and a dog headed for the stopping train, others to the Bird in Hand to await the faster 4:14 Would you believe they had three types of cider there? The train might have been faster but boy was it crowded. Anyway, a grand day out.

From WalkonBy

Sun 27-Mar 08:11

Group walk: 26th March

Disappointing turn-out of 7 on a day of perfect weather . Fine route with some great views. Blue skies throughout. No mud. Very slow service at the characterful Lions. Overwhelmed by a surge of customers between 12-1. Some confused staff. Food passable. At least 2 took the short-cut. 1 got the 3.57. The rest probably all got the 4.57. Group cohesion 4/10. Thanks for scheduling this walk.

Hello sounds lovely.are you 100% sure to do it? Can I join +1?both very keen hikers. Thanks

Anyone can join our walks. Please look at the introduction to see how we work. There are no leaders, the walk will take place with whoever turns up. We are a friendly & sociable group - read some walk reports to get a flavour. Remember to download the walk directions and/or gpx route.

Just 2 off the train and dressed for rain, which persisted for the next hour. We grabbed a quick pint in the pub, planning to have sandwiches later on. A mostly dry afternoon with one shower, so rain grey skys wind . Got the 1557. Mud of course, but mostly surface & one claggy field.

4

weather=dark_clouds_mostly_dry

dark clouds mostly dry

5 on a sunny day. 2 had decided to do the walk in reverse so we didnt have to worry about splitting ourselves up. We crossed again halfway round and traded insults.

The Lions in Bledlow was shut for filming (security variously told us it was a Hollywood blockbuster and a TV series). I asked if they needed anyome to sit in the background and drink beer but no. That job was taken. And Lyde Garden was chocka so we made do with a bench and a bit of verge. Later on the Boot was open but we didn't stop. We made it back to Saunderton with seconds to spare. In fact the driver waited when he saw us. Quite a tough walk for a geezer 4 months out of practice.

Welcome back Mr Tiger (or should that be "M"?), I've missed your walk reports.

Hi! I'm really interested in joining this walk - is it just a case of turn up at the meeting point when the train gets in and join the walk? Rachael

Yes, Rachael. We will meet just outside the railway station on arrival of the scheduled train, to exchange names and contact details and separate into pods

of six. So just turn up !

Marcus just wondering about the walk tomorrow in relation to the weather forecast of rain and high winds. Is it possible to modify the route to a safer lower level route? Marion

Hi Marion

Answer - yes. If it is very windy and wet tomorrow, the walk can be shortened by omitting the steep hills in the afternoon, and instead - after lunch at the Lions - you can head for Princes Risborough on the level. This makes for a short walk overall of some 6.5 miles. To keep your options open I suggest you buy a day return to Princes Risborough - one stop up the line from Saunderton.

The unfavourable weather forecast for today kept our fair weather walkers snug under the duvet. Just 3 of us alighted from the scheduled train at Saunderton. A fourth overshot - sleeping ? - and had to return from Princes Risborough: he completed the walk alone an hour plus behind us. So let's call that 4 .

The weather forecasters were accurate for once. We had no high winds or gales, but it did rain steadily all day accompanied by a breeze . Infact, the rain never relented, start to finish. It had only stopped by the time we returned to Marylebone shortly after 6-15 pm. I hope it remained dry for SWC's evening walkers in my home town, Epsom.

As for the walk, some paths were overgrown and chalky ways were slippery in the wet. The hills were challenging, particularly the bank up to Bledlow Ridge, but fortunately we battled through in the wet without personal mishap.

The manager at the Lions pub could have been more cheerful and welcoming, but no matter, it was a relief to shelter from the rain for an hour. The food was rather indifferent but my pint was excellent.

After slip-sliding up to then along Bledlow Ridge we resisted the temptation to take shelter in the Boot pub but kept going, soon enjoying the panoramic views over the vast wheat fields as we descended towards Saunderton, atmospheric in the rain and mist.

We had time to dry off in the Golden Cross pub and have tea before catching our train home.

An energetic day in the rain !

I didn’t remain under any duvet but ventured forth with my local ramblers along the Thames path but we all gave up at lunchtime due to the constant rain and spent some time at weatherspoons in Putney instead! Marion

9 sunny warm breezy . The morning variation was an agreeable twist on this Saunderton staple. Three took a shortcut avoiding Bledlow and the steep scrabble up Chinnor Hill. The others either lunched or picnicked in Bledlow. Two returned via Princes Risborough.

Six SWC walkers were on the 10.13 from Marylebone and one caught up with us at the lunchtime pub, so 7 in all. There was also a sizeable group of female French walkers, well-equipped with poles, but seemingly not too sure of where they were going. We all got off at Saunderton, but the two groups set off in opposite directions, the SWC walkers (unlike our politicians grappling with Brexit) completely sure of the way forward. Excellent conditions underfoot, with only one slightly muddy stretch all day. Three sandwich eaters sat outside Lions at the picnic tables provided and the other four (one of whom paid a quick preprandial visit to Lyde Garden) opted for a pub lunch. Two picnickers pressed on after a fairly brief stop, keen to get climbing Chinnor Hill and, for one of the two, there was the added incentive of a free ticket to The Book of Mormon. The directions were easy to follow and the two walkers got back to Saunderton in plenty of time to catch the 3.53 train to London. Walks in the Chilterns are always a joy, and today's weather was ideal: a cool gentle breeze with increasingly warm sunshine .

To expand on David's comprehensive report, a number of our fair weather walkers stayed away today, no doubt put off by the dire weather forecast which threatened rain, thunder storms, pestilence, plague, locusts, Black Death, Brexit and worse. As it transpired we enjoyed a glorious Spring Day with no rain and intermittent sunny spells - delightful walking weather. The five of us who set off some time after the two sandwichers stopped for a relaxing tea at walk-end in the pleasant garden of the Golden Cross pub before catching the 17-25 hrs train, leaving Saunderton in late afternoon sunshine. On arriving in Marylebone some 45 mins later it had just started to snow ! There you go........

Six off the train met 2 on the platform, for a total of 8 for this Saunderton Special under blustery variable conditions .

After some initial discussion, everyone opted for the navigation option (with the non-navigators agreeing to the rules of the navigation exercise -- thank you for your patience). The route proved a good one for navigation with lots of undulating hills and various path options from which to choose. Generally, our budding Scottish walk leaders navigated the field without incident....with one exception, just before lunch.....with one of the intended paths hidden from sight (probably in plain view), we decided to take an alternate route to the lunch pub...but, in haste (or hunger), unintentionally chose the least direct option of various on offer.....Eventually, we made it to the lunch pub (after two calls deferring our booking) and were warmly welcomed despite our delayed arrival... At lunch we discussed the importance of relocation skills when navigating....(and a nav exercise would not be complete without needing to relocate at least once)....

On a full stomach after lunch, the route finding went very smoothly....and I definitely recommend the alternate route for this walk which brings you along the ridge on the other side of the valley (through Loosely Row) with some fine views....

Before lunch we had some cloud and sunny spells, after lunch was decidedly more overcast with light mist arriving on our final approach to Saunderton.

Back in Saunderton, 6 went to the Cross Keys for a drink, with the first question being...should we catch the train in 19 minutes or 1 hour and 19; we opted for the latter....Then, after finishing the drink, the second question, who was up for the advanced navigation exercise....in the dark, wind and rain (almost perfect Scottish mountain simulation should the weather come in with no visibility)....strangely, everyone opted for staying in the pub and having a second drink before catching the 18:56.....

correction...drinks in Saunderton at the Golden Cross (not the Cross Keys)...

Hi. New to group. Is the protocol to bring head torches given it'll be dark by 6?Thanks.

head torches? always recommended in winter

I have to say that from what I know of the regulars on these evening walks, they tend to discourage the use of torches. This sounds barmy, but actually there is a lot more ambient light for night walks in this part of the world than you might think and once your eyes adjust to the dark, you will be surprised how well you can see.

Added to that is the fact that this evening is a FULL MOON and by the light of that you can definitely see to walk (providing there is no cloud, of course). This is a magical experience if you have never tried it, but you can't do it if in the presence of torches or other artificial illumination as your eyes then do not adjust.

But of course it is useful to bring a torch for checking maps or directions or whatever. But if you really get into night walking you find yourself minimising your use of them as much as possible, since every time you switch a torch on you lose your night vision for some minutes. Once your eyes have adjusted even a mobile phone screen seems unbearably bright.

One last remark: all this, as on all SWC walks, is at your own risk. And all the above is my personal view, not the view of the SWC, because there is no official view of the SWC.

Astronomers use a red light torch when stargazing as this is better at preserving night vision. Covering a normal torch with a few layers of red cellophane should work fairly well too.

The usual two disembarked from the appointed train under a surprisingly, if slightly hazy, perfectly round full super snow moon . After waiting to see if others would emerge, we set off on the gently rolling terrain of the route. The moon provided sufficient light for us to manage without lights -- aided by the fact that one was very familiar with the route. We kept a good pace and arrived at the Boot Inn just in time for last orders...the food and ambience were both excellent -- so highly recommended....On a more relaxed pace after dinner, I am reasonably positive that I saw the ghostly apparition of a barn owl silently swooping low across an adjacent field...such is the magic of a moonlit walk…..

Ps: As an addendum, I learned later that a third walker arrived by car just as we were heading off....he set-off (hoping to catch us) but ended up walking most of the route on his own..in the dark -- kudos to him!

So, in total, 3 .....

18 on this walk on a warm dry and even occasionally sunny day. Anyone looking forward to a mudbath would have been disappointed. Only the occasional lightly mired stretch to contend with.

Even the lunch pub gave us nothing to complain about with its big portions and alright beer. One or two hills it would be nice to get rid of, but, apart from that, a good day out.

Saunderton to Princes Risborough via Lacey Green, 14 Jan 2018

Just 1 on this dull day, though there was a group of four that I didn't recognise as regulars, keeping ardently to itself and following the same route almost as far as Lacey Green.

Perhaps people were put off by the need to assemble the walk from passages in three different instructions.

The Whip in Lacey Green served a huge portion of roast chicken for a lower than average price, but even at noon only fitted me in, perched in the bar area, because I was alone; it implied it would not have been able to accommodate a larger group.

Back on the 1520 train, and very glad to have had a start time that was sensibly early.

David, sorry to hear you were the only one. I find it difficult to describe these variants without making it all sound more complicated than it is. I'm not surprised if it deters some.There are actually only two sets of directions needed but it doesn't help that the alternative start is on a tab called "finish".I think, ideally, the two alternatives should have the relevant bits from book 2 inserted into their text so there would be no need to print both out. I guess this harks back to the days when the book was king.(And my idea for the circular isn't even an official option so doesn't have any text.)

I've got the tone of this report wrong if it provoked a need to apologise in any walk poster.

Our volunteers do great service to this community and leave the world a very much better place, and I for one am grateful for all their efforts.

No worries.

There were 8 , 6 had come for the group walk and a couple planning to do the walk independently, who joined us for the day. Everyone enjoyed the pub - reasonable priced food, lovely garden, excellent beer. sunny . The gpx is different to the instructions and I'll do an update. This is a great walk with endless lovely views. The garden in Bledlow is worth a visit.

10 6 did the long walk, 4 the short. The Lions in Bledlow provided rapid service. The Princes Risborough ending is a bit of an anticlimax. (For a short walk, I still reckon you’re better off stopping at the Whip and taking the short circular back to Saunderton), Anyway, we made our way round to the Bird in Hand near the station. Good choice of beer but they don’t do tea. mild some sun dry

Is anyone planning on doing this particular walk tomorrow?

13 of us decided to explore the excellent Saunderton via Bledlow circular on this perfect summer’s day of buttercup and cow parsley mania. Three went off to do their own thing but were later spotted picnicking in the beautiful mini-gorge of Lyde Garden, amongst the gunnera and dragon flies. Most others had a palatable lunch in the Lion pub garden, albeit with a less palatable service. The afternoon brought wildlife interest, with a young deer unfazed by our presence, though a hare huddled by the side of the path seemed less well. Most retired to the Golden Cross near the station for a late afternoon tea.

13 sunny

Intend going - standard walk (10:13 train).

A good day out for 9 of us on this fine sunny day .

The walk went ok. 4 dry cloudy cold but not freezing Hints of sleet in the wind at times. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground, particularly in the morning. There were muddy patches too - a short stretch in the morning and two stretches in the afternoon. One walker was disqualified for cheating (took a shorter way back to avoid the climb onto the ridge). One criticism was that the first pub (the Whip) comes up too soon (we arrived at 12 after a dawdly morning) and the second pub (the Boot) too late. That said, the Whip has a good choice of beer, some unusual ciders, and people seemed happy with their food.

Sunday 6 Sept. Book 2 Walk 2 and 3. 9 w= sunny-and-warm Nine of us assembled outside the station and after a quick discussion it was clear no-one really wanted to do a figure of eight so we all did the lovely main walk- Saunderton via Bledlow circular. I have done this a few times before but never in warm sunny weather and what a super day out it was. Excellent lunch for 4 at the Lions in Bledlow whilst 5 of us ate sandwiches in the Lyde Water Garden. after lunch the walk got even better with some fine views of the hills and valleys and the trees and vegetation looking particularly splendid in the glowing September light. There was time for 5 of us to have tea and cakes in the Golden Cross pub before catching the 5.16 train back to London. A wonderful day out in great company.

Technical point: In the download instructions at page 3 2nd column, penultimate para the gpx route does not follow the written walk instructions. Instead of turning right along the Ridgeway the route file takes you up the path ahead of you which results in a longer but less steep climb. You reach the lane where you turn right to soon reach the horse-blocking barrier where you pick up the main route. In the interests of research I took the gpx route through the wood and its fine but I would not recommend it in wet weather.