Mysteries of the Chiltern Hills - Princes Risborough to West Wycombe

[@robertstevens199]

I am American but your videos of a great country called England are truly inspirational I thank you

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much Robert

[@ThePORTYDAVE]

Soundtracks are always spot on.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Davie, I try to put a bit of thought into the music

[@trevorbarre5616]

Yes indeed. Exceptional quality every time.

[@AMcF54]

Love this neck of the woods. It's in my blood and bones. Magical. Mystical. Magnificent. Thank you.

[@howdymartin6258]

"what did they hope- what did they dream" - timeless - thanks John

[@baycast]

What a great video John with a bit of everything today. A real bonus finding St Mary's church and viewing the controversial wall paintings. As you say, religion caused so many lives to be taken, indeed wars. What stories these walls could tell. I loved the forest walk with the ancient gnarled tree roots and imagining the people who lived in this area. Altogether, another great days discoveries including the hillfort and the beautiful Dashwood church. Hearing of the shenanigans of the landed gentry and viewing their mansion. You're definitely a martyr surviving on snacks after covering so many miles. I thank you.

[@Aengus42]

Just jawdroppingly beautiful! I'm marooned in Kent & you're making me homesick for Devon!

[@julieblackstock8650]

On a cold grey Saturday in January, these videos of yours are medicine for the soul.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

that's wonderful Julie - thanks for letting me know, this was a magical day

[@psychachu]

Same still stands on a cold Saturday in February.

[@glencoe-ob5qg]

I'm about to visit Chiltern Hills and I found your video beautiful, hypnotising and mysterious. Your voice adds to it. Thank you ! A new fan of yours.

[@BaronMichaelDeBlone1066]

You have a great way of capturing atmosphere in wooded areas John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Michael- I suppose I spent a lot of time in the woods with my Dad as a kid

[@ingwiafraujaz3126]

First video of yours I came across and I'm instantly hooked. Very calming and hypnotic experience; transported me wholly to the English countryside. Edit: the music definitely added an extra layer of immersion.

[@neiltrevatt]

Just finished watching your journey past my old stomping ground around the new river when you done your Waltham x to WGC now I am watching a this1 and I use to live in Princesses Risbrough Ash road many a happy time climbing the white leaf x

[@Qwijebo]

I stayed here with my grandparents many years ago, looking out my bedroom window I could see the cross on the hill, spent many an hour walking about, did some horseback riding on the Chiltern Hills, ventured about everywhere, it was lovely. I remember the village well, the chip shop especially. And the hot girl next door to us. This was way back in 1985 of course so things have changed a bit.

[@darrenrobson5977]

Fantastic John, can't believe I've not seen this what a treat with my scrambled eggs and pint of water this morning.

[@trevorbarre5616]

Have done this walk (or damn near it) during lockdown. You present a perfect representation of its delights.

[@richardgreen1970]

Wow, what a film,that was brilliant i really enjoyed it,i so love the past and walking in the footsteps of the ancient ones, great stuff John thanks for the journey.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Many thanks indeed for watching Richard - it was a fantastic day out there in the Chilterns

[@lemenelli5100]

Had a bit of a stressful day today, your walk was just what I needed to help unwind, Thanks john :)

[@JohnRogersWalks]

that's great to hear Lemenelli - many thanks

[@morriganwitch]

That church was something special Indeed xxx

[@trevorread9115]

Another great walk thanks john

[@jde9095]

Fantastic adventure, thank you for sharing.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Darrell

[@gabriellaclarke8509]

Another wonderful walk, I know the area well, such a delight to watch. Cheers John

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Gabriella

[@qualityasdf]

I've become a bit obsessed. I watched three videos of yours yesterday. My wife likes how you always comment on your sandwich intake. It's great for me because I come from Beaconsfield area and have lived abroad for a long time. Keep up the good work!

[@zennor]

Apologies if this has already been mentioned. I was wondering if you have considered doing places like Avebury, or walking the whole of the Ridgeway, maybe parts of Wiltshire, Cornwall, the Lake District, places that are further afield. I imagine that work and family commitments would restrict that though. As always, many thanks for your wonderful videos.

[@iancracknell9673]

Love your walking videos, used to live in Enfield and went to school at Theobalds, climbed Temple Bar a few times and cross country runs around there

[@neiltrevatt]

Ian Cracknell I went to Theobalds as well but it was only for sum lessons while my school was being built that was Bullsmoor school

[@MeTheRob]

Ha - I've got that old 1 inch OS map of the Chilterns somewhere. There is another church with fine wall paintings, not far from your starting point - between Little Kimble and Ellesborough. Definitely worth a detour if you are ever walking on the Ridgeway towards Wendover.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Rob - along with Gary's comment another recommendation to head out towards Wendover. I forgot to include the full map in the video - a previous owner has circled all the tumuli in biro and drawn a series of rings spanning out from Wycombe - they seem to have had similar interests

[@MrInfinitefinality]

Your walks are a great escape these days !

[@rosswebster7500]

Excellent video as always John. I especially loved the magnificent 13th Century church. Funny how even a quaint little church like that has echoes of one of the most tumultuous and chaotic times in English history.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much Ross. It was the same for me, when I got to the end of the walk the church was the experience that stood out, a really magical place that I could so easily have passed by.

[@Underthevolcanobooks]

Thanks so much for this one. All your videos are a little spooky to me but particularly this one as I spent most of my teens living on Beaconsfield's Hampden Hill, from the top of which you can see miles and miles north presumably over much of what you cover here. Lots of memories for a grown up odd American teenager rambling around Bucks and Berks in the 80s -

[@JohnRogersWalks]

glad I could bring back some of those memories

[@davidhull1481]

9:30. I just recently watched the other Ridgeway video you mention, and you made the same observation about more people walking in the countryside than in London. So it must be true!

[@patsie1888]

Your music choices are great too.

[@trevorread9115]

Great walk thank you

[@danfry909]

Great work - thanks John.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Dan - I love it out there

[@PaulBissekerBushcraft]

Great film there, i really enjoyed it. I live in Wycombe and have done the Toweridge lane walk many times. The farm at 31:22 is still there even tho they built all around it. Now called Cutlers Court. Paloma Faith shot her video for "Picking up the Peices" at Dashwoods house and the Golden Ball. I have a drone video on my channel of the Golden Ball.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks very much Paul - always love revisiting the area. Will certainly check out your drone video

[@johnplynch4866]

Great video John. That chicken and mushroom slice looked really appetizing. I love Super 8 and will check out the link.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks John - it went down really well but I think anything would have done at that point

[@alexkennedy9514]

Another excellent walk. You know the stop at lodge hill where you’re looking for tumuli? Well, a friend of mine’s grandparents used to own the farm at the foot of lodge hill (and the hill itself I believe) and they’d actually discovered a Saxon sword up there. It used to hang above the fireplace in the farm house. Amazing piece of history!

[@normathomas8276]

Your walks are just so interesting John read about dashwood the helll fire club must have had fantastic wealth

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Norma - yes there were a strange old bunch, must have run into difficulties at some point hence the sale to the National Trust

[@cgeoffreytaylor1135]

i guess you've read Silt Road, John, about the River Wye in this neck of the woods? I don't know the area at all but have always wanted to visit the Dashwood caves... Really engaging film as always

[@JohnRogersWalks]

I have Carl, picked it up quite by accident a couple of yeas ago on a trip to Wycombe and then contacted the author. I shot some footage for the end of this video but left it out. Very significant stream for me, grew up splashing around it. Shame the book stops when it gets interesting - doesn't cover the village where I grew up and the last section into the Thames but lovely book all the same. I walked along it the day I bought the book and scribbled a few words on my blog thelostbyway.com/2015/02/along-silt-road-eden.html

[@supahkimmah]

Absolutely brilliant, mate!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+supahkimmah thanks

[@JagBetty]

A Half hour episode, excellent!....great to see the old paintings on the wall of the church. How is Nick? Another fantastic stroll John, always enjoy your videos.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks so much Jag - yes, what a treat to find those paintings, another 5 mins and I would have walked past. Nick is in good form, we spoke on the phone yesterday about this very walk

[@bighorse10048]

Really enjoyed this video, also it was nice meeting you last week in Romford. Steve.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Steve - and great to meet you too, love meeting people in real life who watch the vids. I must go back to Romford and make a video

[@MH-ln6pv]

Don't know if this has been said already but the with regard to a yaffle being another name for woodpecker, that explains the name of the wooden toy woodpecker in Bagpuss: Professor Yaffle. Bagpuss has much to teach us.

[@garrylugmayer1642]

Thoroughly enjoyable video as always. I recommend taking the Chiltern line via Amersham to Wendover and walking up to the Coombe Hill Boar War monument. The view from there, out across the Chiltern Valley, is breathtaking. You weren't far from there during this latest trek.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Gary - I half considered walking in that direction as it looks great on the map - will head that way next time for sure

[@voxley19]

Glad to see you walking in the Chilterns. Are you still using the Panasonic GF5 camera?- the photography/videography is stunning.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

voxley19 thanks Voxley - great to be back out there. Planning another few walks in the East Chilterns too. Yes still using the GF5, lovely little camera, I might change the lens for a slightly wider one but not sure

[@voxley19]

Be careful- most of the fixed focal length Panasonic wide angle lenses don't have image stabilization which is essential for video. The 12-35mm zoom which does have stabilization is VERY expensive. You might be interested in my "Princes Risborough Circular Walk 25 September 2010" video which covers some of the same ground as your walk here.

[@TheJamesVilla]

Very good.

[@stewartconacher6552]

Another nice video John.I understand you are in the process of writing another book.When do you plan to publish it as I really liked your first one?.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Stewart. I'm making good progress with the next book and hope to publish next year

[@kevinsaward2911]

hi john, great vid;s luv em! when are you going to do the walfemstow marshes vid,cant wait much longer.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

+Kevin Saward thanks Kevin. Yes I really must do that Leyton & Walthamstow Marshes vid

[@neiltrevatt]

The Golden ball a lot smaller than I remember it being maybe that’s way I couldn’t find it on google maps often found the church but couldn’t make out the ball

[@JohnDoe-px4ko]

Always a pleasure to accompany you. Being an archaeologist, I especially enjoy walks, which include the odd barrow or two! Your commentary is interesting and knowledgeable but I do worry about your caloric intake at times - always pack a sarnie! PS get something reflective for those times you are forced to walk along dark lanes with traffic - please!

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Great to know that a real archaeologist is watching - as you can probably tell I'm fascinated by archaeology. I try to keep a few granola bars in my bag now for such emergencies

[@davidhull1481]

Many of those expansive views we see now- would they have been wooded in the past? Would the views have been as good?

[@johnplynch4866]

Hempton Wainhill- sounds like a Canadian singer/songwriter.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

John P Lynch fantastic- a bit like Hank Wangford named after the village in Suffolk

[@JezzyPrice]

Excellent as usual - poignant too - glad you had the mushroom slice rather than the toadstool......🍄

[@JohnRogersWalks]

thanks Jezzy - yeah that was definitely the right choice

[@patsie1888]

Think your walks would be a great on BBC 2 or 4. Would you be in favour of that? I think it would be just what many lockdown people would enjoy

[@ullscarf]

Wonderful to see my old stamping ground explored. The village of Radnage should be pronounced Randage but that pronounciation has probably fallen out of use. Spriggs Alley should be pronounced Spriggs Ollie.

[@InvincibleSummer-s8p]

damn the video at the end was beautiful - super 8?

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Thanks Benjamin- yes Kodachrome Super 8

[@InvincibleSummer-s8p]

I cant find the link to the Super 8 film bud, is in the description?

[@JohnRogersWalks]

@@InvincibleSummer-s8p here you go Benjamin kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGrbqJ6XhbGjm9k

[@borderlands6606]

Saint Mary the Virgin would have looked more like Carter's Steam Yachts inside originally.

[@JohnRogersWalks]

that's a nice thought - would have looked amazing

[@neilmason139]

My stamping ground.

[@GWJUK]

Professor Yaffle from Bagpuss - the woodpecker

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Nice enough John. Slightly spoiled by some over loud background music

[@oildrum101]

so glad i watched to 26 min-inits in

[@JohnRogersWalks]

Excellent thanks John - almost as exhausting as walking that far

[@oildrum101]

John Rogers I was just told buy a guy at trinity boy wolf that the new palm trees put in buy the evil developers next door are the ones resisted from the beckon gas works from full metal jacket

[@JohnRogersWalks]

bloody hell - they live!

[@oildrum101]

John Rogers hopefully they live there looking perky

[@starfish203]

You wouldn’t get that Chicken & Mushroom slice for a quid ,these days

[@ramblinactivist]

Never walk The Ridgeway if you want solitude! You only need to step off the Ridgeway official path to parallel routes on one side or the other and you'll be on your own!

[@georginacox7292]

The new Vauxhall electric car same green

[@johnlaws5231]

John, Love your video's but Hate your musical noise, save yourself a lot of work, get rid of it. Love to hear your voice and the wind in the trees, but can't stand the infernal racket that tries to drown you out. I love Flash Mob, but why oh why, do the Philamonic Orchestra have to follow you wheresoever you go.

[@johnrogers2826]

As beautiful as it is interesting. And it is very interesting. Thanks so much for sharing!