Boxing Day was the first dry sunny December day in weeks. The dreary weather and rain had stopped and the blue sky and sunshine raised our spirits. After the excesses of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a ramble was the perfect excuse to be outdoors.

We met our walk leaders, Sue and Gordon at Mapledurham playing fields car park. They had both been unwell for weeks but still turned up to lead the walk. It was good of them to host the Boxing Day ramble as they had done in previous years.

Seventeen of us set off towards Mapledurham on mainly tarmac paths. As in previous years, we had our Christmas jumpers and some people wore Christmas hats. I gave George some grief as he said he didn’t own a Christmas jumper, so I suggested he might like to go to the sales to invest in one. It was lovely that George’s family and grandchildren could also enjoy the walk.Michael had a hat and had grown some very elfish ears, which seemed to attract a lot of attention. Gordon had a huge reindeer jumper that didn’t go unnoticed.

We rambled past woods and fields enjoying the views of the Thames Valley, whilst chattering about the highs and lows of Christmas. A steep incline back to the start awakened our legs and hearts.

We arrived at Sue and Gordon’s garden. Despite their illness, Sue had cooked an amazing amount of delicious mince pies and cakes, served with an aromatic mulled wine.

It was very generous of Gordon and Sue to host the Boxing Day ramble and provide hospitality for us all. We finished with a toast and Happy New Year to all! Thank you.

Lee ( PVR member)

Pre-Lunch Walk & CHRISTMAS LUNCH at the Pack Horse

On the 7th December 2022 nineteen Pang valley Ramblers gathered on the doorstep of the Pack horse for the start of our pre-Christmas lunch walk.

The weather was bright as only a cold winter sunny day can be and despite many woolly hats,gloves and puffy coats I never heard anyone’s teeth rattling or falling out! So the weather and our walk leader did us proud. Continue reading »

Pang Valley hosted the 2022 Berkshire Area AGM on Saturday 26^th November in the wonderful setting of Purley Barn. There was an excellent turnout from Pang Valley members and most of the other groups in Berkshire were represented. The two walks, led by Chris and Pete, went well and people returned to the hall for their packed lunch, supplemented by Pang Valley cakes and tea and coffee (well organised by Diana and her helpers). Continue reading »

Whilst studying for my A Level in Biology I’d spent a week at the Marine Biology Station in Port Erin and some years later I visited Ramsey when my father, a Glass Furnace Engineer, was working at Manx Crystal. I’d always wanted to return to the Isle of Man, so in January this year when I retired, I joined the Ramblers and signed up for Walk the Isle of Man 2022. Continue reading »

Saturday 3^rd September began looking as if it might be a fine sunny day and just right to sit outside and chat with fellow members and enjoy the refreshments provided by the hosts David Pick and Jenny Cottee. But we had a shower from about 12 noon for about 30 minutes, just at the time many of us were making our way to the party minus things like coats or umbrellas. This meant sheltering under a tree waiting for the rain to pass. Guests started arriving soon after noon to find we sat under gazebos arranged in the beautiful garden sheltered from the weather. We enjoyed a glass of wine while we compared the past walks we’d been on, recent holidays, Covid or the energy increases. Continue reading »