New Year's Walk 2020

As per usual, on the 2nd of January, a number of dedicated members and friends turned up at the Club for the first walk of the year. With Sally, as ever, organising breakfast with bacon buns and tea & coffee, 14 of the 18 set off at 10:15 for a short hop to Nettlebed.

Starting from the Old Kiln at 10:30, we headed north up the B481 and turned right into Mill Road. We entered the woods and headed in a northerly direction emerging at Magpie's Cottage where we veered to the right into their garden and open fields with lovely views. We continued in a northerly direction until we came to Westwood Manor Farm. We then turned right along a track which is called Page's Bottom. This track took us into the Warburg Nature Reserve where a small number of us stopped off in the conveniently located loo.

Leaving the Reserve, we stopped for a photo opportunity at the point where we were to bear right and follow a track almost due west back to Nettlbed.

However, a number of people fancied looking at the old St. James Church at Bix Bland, so at the risk of adding a mile or two extra, we all headed off in southerly direction. The church has been significantly "tidied up" since I was there last as can be seen from the photo below which I found on the web (it wasn't quite that sunny on the day).

After a small delay here whilst we looked it over and read the history of it, we turned right at last and headed west. The return journey was uphill at this point and although everyone made it, I suspect some struggled more than others.

We made our way through Crocker End and returned to the parked cars at 12:45. We all returned to the Club house where Sally had put together two delicous soups, one was turkey and the other vegetable. With a few drinks at the bar run by Norman and a mince pie or two, everyone had a most enjoyable time.

Route below: