Date: Wednesday 1st April 2026.  Distance: 4.5 miles.  Leader: Angela Vasylenko

 

There were 18 of us this morning, including "VIPs" Kate Ashbrook (a Vice-President of The Ramblers), Colin Kennedy (a past Chairman of our group, serving 15 years) and of course John Esslemont.  We left Lane End village car park and walked the back streets and alleyways.  A really muddy section was encountered before we reached the road and the bridge over the M40. We endured a few minutes of traffic noise before walking through fields on the north side, then down the slope to the gate at the edge of a wood, arriving 10h45. We stopped to celebrate and Kate Ashbrook gave us a very good and complimentary short talk about John and why he deserved a 2nd gate! We continued the walk in mild weather - light grey skies and a very gentle wind.  Down the valley then up again, with a rest at the top. Before entering Upper Dorrels wood we had our banana break and admired the view, with West Wycombe's golden ball in the distance. On through the woods to Bullocks Farm, down a track then up to pass by Denham Farm, through Wheeler End Common, Wheeler End, over the M40 again and back to our cars.  An enjoyable walk at a leisurely pace.