Crowell Walk

Date: 26th November 2011
Meet at 10.30am to start at 10.45am.

Where: Crowell, near Chinnor. We'll meet in the car park of The Shepherd's Crook, Crowell near Chinnor, OX39 4RR. There is very little parking at the pub so please use the village car park in front of the church. If you're coming from M40 junction 6, Aston Rowant direction the entrance to the car park is on the right immediately after the bus stop.

Route: up to and along The Ridgeway towards Chinnor. Before reaching Bledlow it turns to go up Wain Hill and forms a loop above Bledlow. Then back to The Ridgeway through the Aston Rowant Nature Reserve. It's about 6 miles long and uses footpaths and bridleways, some of which are very muddy. Sections of the paths are very rough and uneven therefore boots are strongly recommended. The inclines are steady rather than steep but one of the downhill sections is quite steep, however it does have steps.

Lunch: at The Shepherd's Crook - If you'd like lunch make sure you give me your order on Saturday morning!

Other Information:  Listen to BBC Oxford on Saturday morning if the weather looks bad. We ask for a £1 donation to this month's chosen charity, BBC Children in Need Appeal.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

More walk dates

If you like to plan ahead, Kate and I have put together some dates for the first few months in 2012!  They might change, but hopefully not.  So the next few ones are:

Saturday 26th November
Saturday 31st December 2011
Sunday 29th January
Saturday 18th February
Saturday 31st March

Kate did a bit of looking back at the archives.  We've now done 54 walks, with the first one in March 2006!  Not sure how many miles in total, but if we have done an average of 5.5miles per walk it'll be around 297.  So the next walk should take us over the 300 mile mark!

No wonder my feet ache! 

Well done everyone.

Phil

Next Walk - November 26th

We have a cunning plan thanks to Alan (one of the regulars). So the next walk, on Saturday November 26th will probably go from Crowell near Chinnor and follow a section of the Ridgeway path.

Kate is off to check the route and full details will follow soon.

Langford Walk - 29th October 2011

Langford Walk - October 2011

Date: Saturday 29th October 2011 Meet at 10.45 starting 11.00am

Where: Langford near Lechlade.  We'll meet at The Bell at Langford.  Click here for a map

Route: to Broughton Poggs, Filkins and Broadway.  It is about 5 miles long on footpaths, bridleways and country roads and is fairly flat.  Sections of the paths are very rough and uneven therefore boots are strongly recommended.  There are a few stiles, one of which is quite high.  The walk will be led at a pace to suit everybody and well behaved dogs are welcome.

Lunch: at The Bell - if you'd like lunch make sure you order before we set off.

Other Information: listen to BBC Oxford on Saturday morning if the weather looks bad.  We ask for a £1 donation to this month's chosen charity,SeeSaw.  This is a charity that gives grief support for the young in Oxfordshire. It helps children and their families both before and after a major bereavement, helping them to move forward and to face the future with hope.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Ardington Walk - The route

http://bit.ly/pnrdil If you want to see where we are going for the Ardington walk.

Although the start is not the right place and I tried a few different options along the way.

Ardington Walk - Pub

So the plan is to stop at the Boars Head, Ardington after the walk for some food.  I've just had the menu emailed to me.  It's a pricey, but I'm reliably informed that the food is great.

Market Menu
(Lunchtime only)
2 courses £14.50
3 Courses£17.50

Deep fried Goats Cheese with Roasted Tomatoes
or
Ham & Parsley Terrine with Red Onion Marmalade
or
Fried Squid with Chili Dressing

~~~~~

Slow cooked Blade of Beef with Horseradish Mash
or
Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Parmesan Salad
or
Fishcakes with Parsley sauce

~~~~~

The Dessert of the Day is:
Bread, Butter & Vanilla Pudding

STANDARD MENU
Cornish Lobster Cocktail with Marie rose & beetroot Jelly  £9.95
Seared Scallops with Black Pudding & Foie Gras £10.50
Salad of Pigeon with Shallot Puree & Port Sauce £6.50
Goats Cheese & Fig Tart with Thyme & Walnuts £7.50
Kelmscott Ham with Grilled Cepes & Shaved Summer Truffle £7.50
~~~~~~
Tranche of Newlyn Cod , Herb Crust, Light Spices & Lentils £17.50
Cornish John Dory with Parma Ham, Roasted Artichokes & Squid Tempura  £17.50
Fillet of Scotch Beef with Seared Foie Gras & Rosti £23.50
Breast of Gressingham Duck with Rabbit Croustade Fondant Potato £17.50
Roast Scottish New Season Grouse £25.00
~~~~~
British Farmhouse Cheeses with fruit Cake  £8.50
Strawberry Vacherin with Clotted Cream & Strawberry Sorbet £7.50
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate £7.50
Hot Pistachio Souffle with Vanilla Ice Cream (15 mins) £7.50
Coffee with Truffles £2.75

The Boar’s Head kitchen aims to use the best local, seasonal produce available. All dishes are cooked to order and may take 20 minutes. Red meats game and wild fowl are cooked pink and some are not intended to be served hot. We will be very happy to cater for dietary requirements and please let us know if you're in a hurry.
If you would like us to design a tasting menu please ask
We hope you enjoy your meal.
An optional 10% service charge will be added for tables of 8 or more

Ardington Walk - Update

Hello all,

Just to say that all looks like it should be fine for the walk tomorrow.  Bruce at The Boars Head is looking forward to cooking up some lunch for us as well.  We'll take orders when we set off.

Just to warn you again that we are meeting at the car park of Home Farm, which is actually a little collection of business units.  It's on School Road as you leave Ardington and head to Lockinge.  It's on the left hand side.

Look forward to seeing you in the morning.

Full details here.

Phil