19 polyramblers  set off from Henley station on a cloudy morning anticipating a fairly drizzly day. Due to very soggy conditions along the river experienced on the walkover the leader had opted for a high level route instead.  We set off through the town and then went up via the Oxfordshire Way  via Henley Park and through the village of Fawley until we entered the Great Wood.  The views were lovely on the way up and we were delighted to see some newborn lambs. 

The Great Wood itself was quite muddy in parts but nothing we couldn’t cope with and was soon followed by a short steep ascent and descent down to the lovely village of Hambleden for lunch. 

Some of the group ate a picnic outside the church – enhanced with cake and coffee from the village shop, whilst others braved the crowds in the Stag and Huntsman pub.

The church is disproportionately large compared to the size of the village. It boasts the fact that WH Smith, founder of the newsagents and stationery chain, is buried in the churchyard and inside has a wooden chest which travelled with Lord Cardigan during the ill-fated charge of the Light Brigade.  It also has a beautiful painted ceiling and an organ. In fact one of our members spent some time chatting with the organist before she began to play.

After lunch we contoured the side of the valley, with fine views, before crossing the Thames over the dramatic weir at Hambledon Mill where we were joined by another polyrambler to complete the remainder of the walk.  We then crossed the water meadows to the tiny village of Aston, before the final stretch over the lower part of Remenham Hill – mainly arable fields, though with small patches of woodland, back to Henley.  Here about half of the group stopped for tea and cake before making their way home.

Although the sun did not really appear, the rain held off and we had a lovely day.

Rochelle

Photos by Ida and Joyanna