6 on another hot day. I lost most of the group just before the Old Swan, I presume they'd headed for the Cock and Rabbit. Myself I was up for every shortcut going. Perhaps not the best of strategies on this walk I'd reached the Gruffalo (yes Gruffalo, it's a sculpture, not a pub) by 2, and the Shoulder of Mutton (a pub, not a sculpture) by 3. Needless to say. I dropped in to revive myself.

Mr M Tiger'S route was to obviously maximise the opportunities for cheap cider (;>)!
5 of us stopped at the Cock and Rabbit with 2 lingering there with three of us continuing on for further refreshments at the Old Swan. By 4pm it was grindingly hot despite the woodland trails so by judicious use of gps we crossed the Grimms Ditch and took alternative trails back to Wendover turning the walk into a 10.6m 4/10 excursion. I had a drink at the pub nearest to the station joining the 2 others for the 5.26pm train

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A couple of us will get the 09.57 from Marylebone arriving at Wendover at 10.53 as we are doing the short version others are welcome to join us if they wish

For those of us with an all zones travel card Apparently on this line when you buy a BZ6 ( Boundary Zone 6 ) to Wendover return, it can be quite expensive because they don’t recognise Amersham as the BZ6 station. One always needs to be vigilant!

Stephen

Amersham is in TfL Zone 9. A Zones 1 6 Travelcard is only valid as far as Moor Park, but a Freedom Pass (or a Zones 1 9 Travelcard) is valid to Amersham. With the latter, you should be able to buy an extension ticket from Amersham to Wendover.

I'm planning to do the short walk but will be joining the train at Chorleywood rather than Marylebone.

I am intending to do the long walk any takers? I think the main walk is only 10 miles and not 13.4 miles unless I am mistaken perhaps someone can correct me.
How long is the short version? I live in Harrow so this walk is close to home for me. Many thanks.

Monica

The full walk is 13.4 miles, for which the recommended train is the 9.27 from Marylebone (departs Harrow 9.39 according to the post). The shorter version is the 10.2 mile walk for which the recommended train is the 9.57 from Marylebone, which by my reckoning should get to Harrow about 10.09.

Thanks Bill I shall do the short version and catch the 10.09 train from Harrow on the Hill. See you guys.

Monica

Wendover to Great Missenden (shorter route)
5 on the later train. Chiltern Railways excelled themselves with Christmas Messages on the train's internal and external dot matrix displays. Morning mist clearing to a rather dull grey day as walkers resisted temptation to call in to Rumseys Chocolataire and headed off to join the Ridgeway with the mist cocooning them in quietness and serenity. Great Widmoor and Lordling wood probably provided the best full on mud experience this year, but this was thankfully short lived as the walk emerged into Swan Bottom and the Lunch time Pub "The Old Swan". All agreed the food was excellent and well priced here with attentive and unpretentious staff.
The afternoon section was uneventful and shortened slightly following some of the Chesham to Great Missenden route. The Twit Cafe was shut for the holidays, so walkers took tea and puddings in the Cross Keys before heading back from Great Missenden station. A pleasant and easy walk pre Christmas within easy reach of London.

9 off the 'early' train to walk the full walk. The terrain was muddier than expected, but even then it's always nice to walk through a succession of woods. We got to The Old Swan a little after the short walkers (both groups having had booked a table each), and between us quickly succeeded in ordering all the breasts of pheasant that there were, and what a good choice it was.
Some nice undulations in the arvo. And half way through we overtook and incorporated 2 other walkers that had taken an earlier train. No shortcuts for the full walkers and at the end we split between The Cross Keys and Matilda's, the 'independent' coffee shop. 17.02 train for most. 16 very low clouds initially then lifting a bit

6 at the station There was also a large meetup group following at least the early part of the walk. Every time I thought we’d seen the last of them they popped up from round a corner or behind a hedge. Eventually they disappeared, along with the rest of our group. Last I saw of them was the whole lot marching off over the horizon. However, I was soon in the lead. Havent they heard of shortcuts? (The idea was to catch up but, instead I was catapulted far in front.) Never saw them again. Got the 15:56 train. Weather was cloudy am light rain pm cool

8 off the 09.27 train (incl. 1 first timer), 1 on a later one having missed the train due to the lengthy, Bicester Village bound, queues at the ticket machines (tip: just oyster through the barriers, there's no ticket inspectors/conductors on that line anyway), 1 off the 10.27 doing the short walk, all 10 meeting at The Old Swan in Swan Bottom. A largely uneventful walk, with a perfect Chilterns feel to it, despite the leaves now mostly off the trees. Not yet turned to a dark mush though, so pleasant walking through the layers on the ground. Some muddy patches, but not yet annoyingly deep.
Our stay at the pub was much longer than hoped for, as we (all of the original 8 plus the short walker had a pub lunch) arrived just after another even larger group, and as all meals are commendably produced from the ground up we faced a long wait for the food to arrive, and then another long wait when paying, as the other mob got up seconds before us tp pay individually as well... After an hour 45 minutes we could finally move on...
Meantime the weather had changed from cloudy initially to sunny in the afternoon, so a very enjoyable 10 km through the woods followed, with the sun breaking through the tree tops, and on nearing Wendover a dark orange sun dominating the horizon.
We arrived at 16.15 and 6 of us opted for skipping Rumsey's and the Whitewaters Deli to give the Lady Grey Tea Room a chance, which had a very pleasant selection of cakes and (thankfully raisin free) scones.
One quick drink at The Shoulder followed, then onto the 17.23 train. Nice.

I wound up paying a penalty fare when I did a variant of this walk a few weeks ago, even though I walked the length of the train in search of a human to give some money to. Oyster is good as far as Amersham, for which reason there is no guard until that station. On other lines, I have the impression that guards get a modest commission when they sell you a ticket; they seem happy to do so. Not so much on this line.

4 wet
Four walkers apparently. 2 first timers, 2 regulars. All doing the full length walk. V muddy, v nice.
As being told today on Cowden to Eridge...