At Quainton in the Buckinghamshire lowlands the sails and white cap of a windmill overlook the sloping village green. On a cold cloudy afternoon jolly chat and laughter came spilling from the George & Dragon.
Leaving the village on the North Bucks Way, we climbed the nape of Simber Hill. Somnolent cattle lay chewing the cud with eyes half-closed in what looked like a state of transcendental bliss.
From Quainton Hill beyond, the views were remarkable, south to the long dark barrier of the Chiltern Hills, west and north over lower ground where whaleback hills rose from pasture striped with hedges. These green undulations looked beautiful from up here.
Look out for hares along the route
ALAMY
Down at the foot of Conduit Hill we passed between the shallow hummocks of Fulbrook, one
