I have a lot of pictures to catch up on, so I'll start with our latest hike, which took place two weekends ago. We took the train to Saunderton and did a loop via Bledlow. Again, we hiked in the Chiltern Hills and there were lots of sheep, cows, hills and valleys. We liked the hike, but there were a few obstacles this time...like a farm that had decided it wasn't ok with people walking through it anymore. There were fences we had to climb, threatening "Trespassers Beware" signs, German Shepherds, and closed circuit television (which is everywhere here). I started to talk about Jim's excitement about the walk (see former blog for excited pictures of Jim getting coffee and getting on the train in London).
On the train, since the weather was a lot nicer than the last time we hiked (but COLD), we were surrounded by other walkers of varying ages. One group of older ladies sitting across for us were speaking disdainfully of what some other ladies they had walked with WORE on the hike (that would have been us, had they seen us the last time we hiked). I felt pretty good about our outfits: waterproof hiking shoes (thanks Dad!), many layers, hats, gloves, water proof pants in case of rain, and water proof jackets. We were prepared! But still, in comparison with this group of clearly avid hikers, we looked like the amateurs that we are. These psycho hikers went straight up a steep hill at top speed, walking sticks in action, and with a vigor that we do not possess. We were actually really relieved when they didn't go the same way we were going, because we were all about ambling.
One of my favorite parts of the walks around here are the kissing gates. Jim and I take it literally, except when our noses are running too much:
A few miles into our walk, we came to this field, which we were instructed to cross. If you can't read the sign, it says "Beware of Bull." Umm...ok. And the bull looks really mean and has a ring in it's nose. Rams are one thing and bulls are completely different. We've seen how bucking an angry bull can be at the Fort Worth rodeo. Fortunately, though, the bull in this field was no where to be seen (although we still hauled ass across the field, just in case). We did see some docile bulls (complete with rings in their noses) a few fields down, safely behind an electric fence and curled up together for warmth like cats.
Before we stopped for lunch at the requisite pub, we wandered around this 12th century church and through a water garden. We also decided that we would be happy to live in this country "cottage" if we have to.
The church:
Jim at the water garden:
The cottage we aspire to have some day:
The scenery was beautiful, of course. Rolling fields and valleys:
And even a rainbow! Whoops. Actually, this is not the rainbow picture, but the WINDMILL picture. Even a windmill!
I never miss an opportunity to harass a flock of sheep. They always get scared, but one day they will love me!
By the end of the 11 miles, we were pretty tired, but invigorated! We even had enough energy to go see the Saints lose to the Bears (poor Saints). Our next country walk will be somewhere besides the Chilterns!
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