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... :)