Last 2007 Walk in Hambleden a 670 AC village

On 29th December, I went for a walk to one of the Buckinghamshire's villages.

I entered Hambleden to realize how this small village on the side of a road, is protected by its high trees and serrounding woods within approx 7,000 acres.

One does not realizing how old this village really is, except by looking into the facade from Saxon times dated c 670 A.D.; Its origin is Norman and the Chancel, Nave, North/South Transepts and Central Tower still stands high in the blue sky.

The St Mary the Virgin Church remains standing beautiful in this town as a remembrance of all years gone by and the many events shared with the people who lived here by generations...

It stays 'alive' within its own rights. It has survived to so much that its walls could tell stories for more then 1500 years. It is more then just remainings as the church is in good shape and hosts connections with the English Monarchy.

Who could image that such history could remain available to every one and it would be one day visited by me.. What a blessing it is to be a survivor and stay proud in the English blue clear sky.

And it was here near The Slag & Huntsman pub that we started our walk. The pub has the photo of a Deer. I did not make any connection while we initiated our clim of our first hill.

This was such an abrupt way to start and walk; having in mind that with my lack of sleep joined by a horrible scare that Blossom could have been earlier hit by the bin man, my humour was a 'funcky' one to not be kind. I was in no mood for such a brisky walk start. Once I got to the top my first idea was to go down and back home.

The serroundings however were beautiful and the leader promised us a more easy way until the top.. and so it was.. ; at least for a while. It was the first time that we saw so much of four feet animals and each one so alive and well; we shared this walk with all of them... First we saw the Turkeys... unfraid of what was serrounding them.

A few yards later we saw a shy deer - its breed Muntjac (Thanks Alec! for pointing it out to us the last ones in the group)

From here we discovery a beautiful sunny view with a clear blue sky of the Hambleden village fields and residential area. We went around the right hand side fence and along around its beautiful to get closer and closer to a house which was shinning at the distance. Once we got closer we still had no idea what made this house shinning, was it glass? or was it ice water? Whatever it was the effect was atonish and it could be seen for miles away, specially on a bright sunny day like on the day.

Down to the woods we went once more to discover this time lovely and friendly horses, which only wanted a nice and friendly pad from someone who loves horses and understand them. It is beautiful and harmonious to see such tenderness feeling towards a horse.

Our stomaches rembling by now.. however lunch was not to be seen... no!! we need to climb one more long hill to be able to deserve a nice lunch. By the time we got to the top, I knew I had a heart inside and know this muscle needs to do more cardiovascular exercises too; well this walk did deserve its announcement as it was really for burning all the calories of the Christmas season; The top of the hill was beautiful..
the photo says it all!

Luckly we had some bananas and chocolates to keep our strenght going. As we were now on our descend back into Hambleden village, passing parallel to the church and I could earsier image that in these woods many centeries ago used to hunt and bring food to those living below. We could see between the trees the town which we will soon be in again, it was so closed and so far way...

To the right hand side... of our walk, far away behind the trees the South of Hambleden we can see the Thames navigating in between lands and herrigating the farmer lands. Shortly aftwards we were back to this "Village in the Valley" from which Hambleden name comes from.

Its ancien name has preveled through time despite its evoluation from Hambleton to Hamelden and finaly to Hambleden however its meaning was never far off its origin. My walking companions longing for a drink in the near by pub; for me, I preferred to explore this Village and discovery more of this ancient town ....

Much more could be said.. One thing I would like every one to know that despite the leader believes this village is in fact situated in Buckinghamshire instead of Berkshire.

This was my last walk of 2007, I hope that the new year will bring some more adventures and laughting moments while discovering this beautiful land. Thank you to those that were with me while I was walking these 25390 steps and learning more about my serroundings. Until next time in harmonious 2008... :)

Visiting Charming Bucklebury - Sat 23rd Dec 2007

In a frosty morning, I went to join my weekend walking companions.. the weather was one of those to stay home in my cozy sweet home :) instead i bravely faced the cold (-1 C) day ahead and I drove to the meeting point; this time in the excellent company of my GPS :) what will I do without you?? - luckly I was born in this beautiful technology time!!! :)

Reading was serrounded by a deep fog; however on arrival to the Pot Kiln Pub near Frilsham town - it was an impressive view as the town was serrounded by this beautiful sunshine. The meeting point, however, was in the back of the pub car park which once again it was not easy to find. In time... I think I will get used to it!

- Our first stop was a remarkable remains of Romans, which no one was really sure of the history and we found this scaring person hiding from each one of us, like in fear of .... could it be of us? or the future ahead? or maybe dreading the walking ahead... any one knows?????

In the middle of the woods in a deep fog we stopped for a hot drink and some directions.. ;)

ahead of us we could see the logs ready for the fireplace of the serrounding houses .. while passing by the frost was even evident in the mud as this was all covered with a fine slice of ice.

In this fog it was impressive to see that some trees still have leaves and the sun does make an effort to break this ice weather and break thought like a victory accomplished before spring...

Walking towards Bucklebury, the first site is a beautiful, red stone, oldish house - Neil's preferred retire house..

followed down the hill by the village church into the blue vivid sky in this cold morning..

Here is where I stopped to rest a year ago while looking in Bucklebury for "Eden House" in this small roads and nice road paths, its charming houses and the generous people.. Today, however, I believe I could retire here :) in due time...

Leaving behind this beautiful village, we returned to Frilsham and the pub, where I needed to dash back to join some friends for dinner while my walking companions would exchange their muddy boots for trainers to enjoy a drink in the pub.

On the way back, I left the sun behind and entered the fog which Reading was still under.

Thanks to Carl for this wonderful discovery :) until next time for more adventures..

The Gazelle, the Seagull and the Friendly Giant on their Christmas walk on 15th December 2007

On the beautiful Saturday 15th December of grace 2007, Seagull and I join the Berkshire group on the cold 8 miles walk in Christmas Common.

We were 10 souls facing a December winter morning in a semi-fog day; we were all courages and vivid companions.. On the way we needed to warm ourselves and breavely we left our boots outside the pub and there we went to find our drinks in a burgundy room very close to a warm true log fireplace; which brought warmth to our shivering bodys and laughts to certain colourful socks ;) Shuuuuuu

Laughting and walking we - Gazelle, Seagull and Friendly Giant - continue our walk with 7 other brothers/sisters to find a giant tree pine where it was the only one which still had green leaves in the middle of the woods.

We could imagine this Christmas tree with decorations and lights smilling to us all and saying: "I am still here! I am strong and shall live until next winter, when a man will cut me and will take me home for a season; However, meanwhile I am here to stay!"

Our marvellous companions shared all this magnific nature change and its scenery too... a workshop in the middle of a lovely tree park
looking down from the top of the hill, where others will be working hard towards the winter ahead while we nature companions will be walking and enjoying a relaxing 'promenade' ; and so we went towards another pub in the end of this walk, where we had a refreshment and laught a bit more; where from a used chocolate bar wrapper was made into a shirt, a clown's trousers, a table, a windmill, and a boat:) Incredible? Not at all !!! It is possible!!! :) Ask Carla how ;)

Once more we arrived to another end of a path which we wanted all more... Seagull had found new friends to walk with; after such a delightful day we all headead to our cars.. me with a pain in a hip + blisters as physical souvenir and a feel of wonder...; marvelous smile feeling in my heart as the walk had been throught out great views where nature had shared with us this particular special moment.

Special thanks to the Gazelle, the Seagull and the Friendly Giant who made it memorable. :) See you all next time...

Nettlebed a Stoke Row le Dimanche 25 Novembre 2007

Dans un matin de soleil timide et fragile d'une journee d'hiver je suis partie faire une promenade dans la belle ville de Nettlebed. Les colour des feuilles sont toujours visible dans leur beaute ou l'etre humain se trouve et se merveille :) au meme temps.

Au haut d'une petite montagne on s'apercois les vaches ou moutons (ca fait tellement de temps...) contre le ciel blue. Cela fait un contraste tellement beau a voire et a aprecier avec les yeux d'en enfant en les voyant pour la premier fois - wow!!!

Mes compagnons de promenade se sont regarler comme des enfants que trouve leur mere apres tellement de temps de separation. Leur sourire le montre bien. On etait un group de 13 personnes et on a peu apprendre et discuter des sujects interessants en rigolant au meme temps.

Moi j'ai eu un moment de merveille. Merci a tous qui l'ont permis :) xxx et a bientot quand nos chemins se retrouverons une nouvelles fois pour admirer la nature que nous entourne :)