The weather forecast had been for a bright sunny day so I had my fingers crossed.  It would be a welcome change after the repeated days of grey skies and rain we had been experiencing for many weeks.  Sure enough that’s how the day started and it stayed that way making the walk even more special.  Seventeen of us assembled outside Amersham station.  There was a short delay whilst members used the nearest public toilets because the station toilets were closed and after the usual briefing we set off. 

The first part of the walk took us through woods and down past the Amersham Martyrs Memorial stone dedicated to individuals who were burnt for their protestant beliefs in the time of Henry VIII.  We then proceeded along a network of narrow alleys and across busy roads as we passed through the suburbs of Amersham. 

Eventually, we came to the edge of a golf course overlooking the beautiful Missbourne Valley.  A large notice warned us of the dangers of being hit by golf balls.  We walked through a small wooded area that skirted the golf course and then out on to the grass.  The path was not clearly marked and we were obviously straying where we were not wanted given the gesticulations to move away we received from several golfers.  It wasn’t long however before we exited the golf course across a busy road and down to the river Missbourne where we crossed a narrow wooden bridge. 

The path then joined up with both the Chiltern and the South Bucks Way and it was a short walk into the charming village of Chalfont St Giles.  We were greeted by a pretty village green with several benches and nearby a pub and a deli/café.  Most people had brought packed lunches and ate them on the green going into the pub or café for a drink afterwards.   

The sun was still shining when we resumed our walk after lunch.  I decided that rather than take the river path all the way back to Amersham we would instead strike out along a path inland over the undulating Chiltern hills. This gave us views of a wonderful green countryside.  We walked through the yard of a farm and seeing what I thought looked like lambing pens in the barns I asked if this was what was happening.  A woman confirmed that this was the case and asked if the group would like to go and look at newly born lambs.  We of course lept at this opportunity.  Together with the sunny weather it was further evidence that spring had truly arrived. 

It wasn’t long before Old Amersham village came into sight and realising we didn’t have a lot of time before the tea shop was due to close, I increased the pace.  About half the group decided to follow Gillian up the hill to Amersham Station whereas I and the rest of the group decided to go and relax over a pot of tea and cake.  This gave us the energy to tackle the steep hill back to the station. 

Mary King

Photos by Mary, Les, Joyanna, Chris and Cathy