Walking Groups 1 and 2

U3A Walking Group 

There are two Walking Groups. Group 1 meets on the third Tuesday of each month, and Group 2 meets on the fourth Friday of the month. In both cases the walks start around 10am (although the timing may vary with the location).

The routes are usually circular and about 4 to 6 miles in length. Group members take it in turns to plan the route and lead the walk. We usually end at a suitable pub or restaurant for lunch. The starting point is announced in advance to group members. Members should share the travel arrangements where convenient.

 Walkers are welcome to join either or both the groups.

A recent venture is to walk the Ridgeway in stages over a number of months. Look at the Group Notice below for details

During 2010 and 2011, the Thames Valley Network (TVN) of local U3A groups is running a Riverside Project, which includes both short and long walks along various stretches of the River Thames. Their planned short walks are included in the Group Notices below, so that any walkers in our U3A can take advantage of them. If you do wish to join one of their walks, please use the contact details to find out the arrangements.

 

Costs

Walkers pay for their own lunch at the pub.

 

Next Events 

Group 1 - circular route from Aston 

 17 Jan 2012 1000 for 1015hrs start  Meet at The Flowerpot pub, Ferry Lane, Aston, Henley-on-Thames RG9 3DG

Group 2 - route tba 

27 Jan 2012  tba  tba 

 Group 1 - route tba

21 Feb 2012   tba  tba

Group 2 - route tba 

24 Feb 2012  tba   tba

Ridgeway stage 4 -  Watlington - North Stoke

Mar 2012  tba  tba 

Ridgeway stage 5 -  East Isley

 Apr 2012  tba tba 

Ridgeway stage 6 -  East Isley - Letcombe Bassett

 May 2012  tba  tba

 Ridgeway stage 7 -  Letcombe Bassett - Hinton Parva

 Jun 2012  tba  tba

 Ridgeway stage 8 -  Hinton Parva - Ogbourne St George

 Jul 2012  tba  tba

 Ridgeway stage 9 -  Ogbourne St George -West Kennet

 Aug 2012  tba  tba

 

 

 

Group Notice 

 Group 1 - 17 January 2012 - from Aston

Tony Walker is leading our next expedition. The walk will be less than 5 miles, starting at 10.15am from The Flowerpot at Aston , across country to Henley , and back along the river via Remenham.

The Pub will not be open at the start so people should be warned that no loos will be available beforehand. Tony will try and arrange a coffee/ comfort break at Henley , at roughly the half way stage.

To get to the pub (Grid Ref. SU 784842) - coming from Haddenham direction you should drive through Henley and take the A4130 over the bridge towards Maidenhead. The road then rises up the hill (Remenham Hill) and at the top there is a turn off to the left to Aston. (There may/may not be a sign for the Flower Pot visible from the Henley side at the turn). This minor road goes down to the river and the pub is on the LHS at the bottom. There is ample parking for walkers at the pub but the pub asks that we all park at right angles to the wall at the rear of the car park.

It would help if people could let Tony know if you intend to come,so he can book a table for us at the pub and arrange a suitable place for the coffee stop. His e- mail address is:- acwalker26@yahoo.co.uk

Walking the Ridgeway - remaining stages

The remainder of the Ridgeway will be walked in 2012 in the following stages:

  • stage 4. Watlington - North Stoke (near Goring) March 2012
  • stage 5. North Stoke - East Isley (just off the A34 south of Didcot) April 2012
  • stage 6. East Isley - Letcombe Bassett (just south of Wantage). May 2012
  • stage 7. Letcombe Bassett - Hinton Parva (nr Swindon). June 2012
  • stage 8. Hinton Parva - Ogbourne St George (near Marlborough). .July 2012
  • stage 9. Ogbourne St George -West Kennet (A4 east of Avebury). August 2012

Apart from the last stage (which is 8 miles) the stages are 10 miles. Motts have quoted for each journey and, subject to our numbers holding up, the cost per journey only increases by approximately £1 (ie a max of £18 for stage 9).

I've checked the dates and sticking to the first Tuesday of the month causes a few problems. April 3rd is the week before Easter and June 5th is the Queen's Diamond Jubilee holiday. I've looked at the dates of other events in our U3A and the third Wednesday avoids other group activities.

Please let me know as soon as possible your preferences for first Tuesday or third Wednesday, so that I can book the coach.

Carol Mason  mason.carol16@gmail.com 01844 292236.

Please let the leader of the walk know at least 4 days in advance if you are coming, and whether you wish to stay for lunch, so that he/she can confirm numbers with the pub.

 

Walking in England

A link to a website giving details of thousands of free walks for downloading has also been added to the Useful Links page

 

 

Joining the Group 

If you wish to join us, please contact:

Group 1:      Ingrid Holmes on 01844 291331 or rayd@anchend12.fsnet.co.uk , or

                      Mary White on 01844 291677 or mwhite@ruddslane.fsnet.co.uk

Group 2:      Carol Mason on 01844 292236 or mason.carol16@googlemail.com