Day p01: 07 Mar 2014; Amersham to Radnage

Walk descriptor	Banbury trial		Day	01
Date	Fri 07 Mar 2014		Start to end time	06h 18m
Start point	Amersham		End point	Radnage
Miles today	19.94		Cu miles	19.94
Ft today	2,152		Cu ft	2,152
Route miles left	49.74		Route ft left	2,127
Today’s weather	Drizzle at first; quicly cleared to leave a dry, sunny day. Mild, around 12C. Moderate southerly breeze

Today’s location (the red cross in a circle shows where I am at the moment)		GPX based track of today’s walk (click here to access to access downloadable file)

Commentary

“This was the first day of a 3 day trial hike, from Amersham to Banbury, carrying all my “”LEJOG”” gear and camping for two nights. A full dress rehearsal fro the real thing, which starts in 2 weeks. It went well – so far at least – becoming a warm, dry day with plenty of sunshine, once the initial drizzle had cleared.

I’d forgotten how pleasant it could be to be out in the countryside on a decent day – after six months of rain and gloom, it was a really enjoyable hike. Very muddy everywhere, of course, but in some parts it was actually beginning to dry out a bit.

The walk started in Amersham then passed through Hyde Heath, Gt Missenden, Prestwood, Speen and Loosely Row before finishing at Radnage, near Stokenchurch. Good, clear views all day, and the warm sun had brought out an abundance of bright yellow butterflies, which seemed most common in the hedge bases and in bramble thickets.

Camping overnight at Home Farm campsite in Radnage, which is surprisingly busy, considering how early in the season it still is. Nice views from the tent, North over the valley. So far body and equipment holding up well. Feet and knees not too painful(!) though it felt good to stop at the end of the day Equipment broadly OK though I discovered (fortunately, before I set off) that my water bottle was leaking and had to be hastily substituted. My pack is still too heavy, depite some pruning this morning, so will have another go at it when I get back home next week.

Dinner and a pint at the Crown pub, about 100 yards from the campsite. What could be better!”

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)


Yes – I am really on this walk! Not a Hollywood Apollo 11 creation!	Lunch stop in Speen, home of the Bodgers

Windmill at Looseley Row	View from Looseley Row over the Vale of Aylesbury. Next 2 days of walking are on the Vale – currently problematically flooded

Peculiar device for making horses walk round in circles I mihghy have a go one day, if walking 1500 miles isn’t challenging enough	At Home Farm campsite, Radnage, preparing for first night under canvas this year

Panorama looking North from Bledlow Ridge