Our train to Oxford was pretty much full as we left behind us an exceptionally busy Marylebone Station.    Arriving at Beaconsfield we were joined by others who had come by car.   We were 15 strong now and were packing out the small station building so we went outside for the briefing (in the rain unfortunately).

Happily the rain stopped quite soon after we began this 9 mile ramble although the sky remained in threatening mood all day. After passing a sign to the model village and walking along some residential streets we reached open fields and headed northeast towards Seer Green.   A couple of fields later we passed through an attractive avenue of trees and then we had to cross the very busy Amersham road.   We had to wait quite a long time before we could all cross safely.   Then we were walking through a wood and then across wet fields to Seer Green for an early lunch.  

The church on the village green has a community café where we had reserved a table.   We were made very welcome and were able to eat our own sandwiches while enjoying  hot drinks and home-made cakes which we bought from the counter.   Two polys went to the pub next door instead and I’m told that was good too.

After lunch we returned to the fields and picked up the trail.   A woman on a horse wished us well and wanted to know our route.  It seems a very friendly village.

We made good time on a country lane heading north before going through Hodgemoor Woods which were large and very muddy underfoot.  I was glad of the OS app which helped me navigate among diverging paths.  Woods are tricky sometimes!  Lady luck was with me this time and I didn’t get lost. On leaving the woods we headed west along the Chiltern way through wet fields heading towards Coleshill. 

Then we had to cross that busy road again but this time we were a little further north.   It didn’t seem too busy until we got to the road and then suddenly a lot of traffic appeared which didn’t seem to let up.   Thankfully, after a while a driver stopped to allow us to cross over safely. 

Then we climbed a steep hill up to Herts Wood at Coleshill.  The Red Lion beckoned but by this time it was around 3pm and it was 2 hours since we had left Seer Green.  We still had about 4 miles to go so we decided to keep going (Sunset was in 2 hours and the mud was slowing our pace).

We headed south along the main street, passing a windmill, then eventually through a farm and then we were back on muddy tracks again. We traversed some more country lanes and then entered Great Beard’s Wood.  There was an uphill climb though the muddy woods before we started to descend towards Beaconsfield.  I do like a wood but it was hard going because of the mud and the woods seemed to go on and on!  Eventually we arrived back in ‘Beaco’ and retraced our steps to the station.   Once we were out of the wood we were able to increase the pace so as not to miss the next train.  We arrived at the station just before 5pm.  

I asked if anyone wanted to join me and Mary for a hot drink before getting a later train.  A few decided to come but most preferred to set off for home.   The mud had given us quite a workout!

Chris,  co-leading with Mary

Photos by Hilary, Joyanna and Mary.