Quainton, North Marston, 6.0 miles approx

I say approx because the sodding GPS stopped working after the first two and a half miles so this is a measured estimate from the map. Edit: software says six miles dead, what with slight diversions and off-track excursions I'd probably peg it at six and a quarter anyway.

We set out around 4.15pm from a handy verge at the northernmost point of our route. With Tracey navigating I felt at a bit of a loose end; although my dad normally navigates their walks and I never feel the need to get on the map, I often felt the urge to work out where we were. I think I have to learn to be comfortable not being in control of a new walk occasionally, and confident that the person with the map can take us around. Sometimes I'd encourage her to check footpath markers before we crossed stiles, or choose which direction we'd head when there was a choice. I think her map-reading confidence grew as we went around and she was pleased when she noticed we were heading in the wrong direction.

This route is definitely one I'd like to repeat, perhaps in the opposite direction. Most notable are the brilliant hills with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside on either side of Quainton village, the windmill in the village itself and perhaps the most interesting ash tree either of us had ever seen.

We started out through a field of horses, across a couple more to the road, where we completely failed to investigate the site of a medieval village I'd specifically intended on showing my companion. Across a field of sheep to the base of our first hill, Conduit, a 75 metre climb with a break at the top to admire the view. The wind brought a chill with it as we took in the patchwork countryside and the cotton-wool sky.

A further walk along the contour of Quainton Hill to the edge of Simber Hill and a sit among the buttercups to have ham, brie and rocket wraps and ol' faithful ready-salted Hula Hoops. We started to cool down in the evening air so we paced our way quickly up the next small peak and watched a man training a dog from the top of the hill before heading down into Quainton village.

Quainton is very pretty and tidy, the people friendly and the 17th-century Almshouses near the main church are beautiful period buildings. I could have happily spent more time exploring the village but on we pushed past Denham Farm and up another hill, stopping to admire a few circling red kites then buzzed by two buzzards whose markings were beautifully visible. After the next field was the most intriguing tree. An old ash with simple holes around its roots where supposed fairies could live, it turns out an older tree has been 'cored' by a younger tree whose trunk it surrounds and houses. Tracey called it her favourite tree ever.

Over the hill, down and over the road into a field of sheep and one horse who seemed magnetically attracted to Tracey. Once the horse had vetted her she was approached by the sheep. Word must've spread because we were soon accosted by a herd of teenage cows and one big Bessie who rasped Tracey's bag with her huge tongue and let her stroke her head.

The remaining walk back to the car was flat and unremarkable except for numerous hares and the low sun which cast a gorgeous orange light on the country.

There's a longer route around here I'd like to try which skirts Oving, possibly two or three miles longer, so I hope to convince someone mad enough to do ten miles to come out with me and explore the next hills along.

Buckingham, Maids Moreton, Akeley, Leckhampstead, Foscote circular, 7.9 miles

An early break from work and I decided to head out and enjoy the tail-end of the beautiful weather we've experienced over the past week. The breeze was somewhat cool as I set out but covering the first two miles to Akeley at 3.5mph soon sorted that out. As soon as I got into the first field by Maids Moreton, I scoffed at my earlier questioning whether I should walk or stay home. I got about thirty metres into the field and said to myself 'As if there was ever any doubt going for a walk was a good idea!'

The route was the reverse of one I took daughter around last year and she found a four-leaf clover and I put her off walking. At 7.9 miles this was incredibly far for little legs and I really do regret dragging her round, mainly because our route should have been just over five miles and I think that'd have been fine for her.

Anyway, another profusion of buttercups, clovers and other meadow flowers marked my path. Grasses are flowering and lambs are getting big. I saw a pheasant chick almost get run over - that won't be the last run-in you have with a car, young bird - and its mother ran circles around me, mewling and chirping in warning. It was so utterly prehistoric I felt like I was witnessing a dinosaur protecting her young.

I took a nice long sit by a stream near Leckhampstead which unfortunately was directly under some buzzing power lines, but I didn't let that spoil my enjoyment of the scene, with black sheep and lambs coming to the ford to drink and me throwing buttercup flowers into the water to watch the flow.

This was a lovely walk and one of just a handful of trips I've done alone this year. Another walk follows tomorrow!

Great Hampden circular, 7.6 miles

This was a cracking walk with unseasonal hot weather approaching 30 degrees. Mum thought it prudent to spend much of the day in woodland which was a good idea and one I'll transfer to my own walks in future. There were hundreds of butterflies and bugs, the ramsons, also known as wild garlic, and Jack-by-the-Hedge, or garlic mustard, were out in force and both taste absolutely divine. I can now spot these in the field by their leaves and flowers and I'm quite pleased with myself for this. I've bought Collins Gem books identifying wild flowers, insects and trees, to join the bird and foraging books I carry around with me. The rape was in full bloom, bazillions of buttercups and purple clover flowers covered the meadows. Ferns were uncurling in the woods, we saw kites and buzzards and a roe deer. The route itself was notable for a few hills, in particular the final one we came down which would have been a real challenge had we gone the other way around.

Adstock, Singleborough, Great Horwood, Addington circular, 7 miles

Another walk with Walking for Wellbeing's first client, this was the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures topping 25 degrees from occasional blazing sunshine. When away from the main road, the countryside on the route is very quiet and varied; few hills but different cattle, crops and grasses, occasional water and lots of lovely trees. The views weren't particularly stunning but the scenery was lovely.

Spring was in full flow with butterflies, birds and bugs plentiful. Floral smells came at us from every angle, blossoms, rape, cow-beans, cowslip, billions of buttercups and other wild flowers. Our lunch spot was dotted with wild mint and its small purple flowers among the long grass, which tickled my nose as we sat and ate ham and brie wraps in the shade of a huge tree.

Apart from the tranquility rarely being broken by the main road, it was a very pretty walk and one I'd definitely do again.

Buckingham, Foscote, Reservoir, Maids Moreton circular, 3.6 miles

This walk was undertaken with an old friend while quite drunk, in the dark with only a sparing sense of balance. It was quite a challenge, but walking sticks definitely helped. Paddling in the stream at 3am in the dark, drunk, was great fun but bloody freezing! Sitting by the reservoir eating over-peppery Ginster's cornish parties and drinking Friij milkshakes while the sun illuminates the sky is a memory I'll keep with me forever. Now, if only I could remember more about the night out itself...

Buckingham, Foscote, Reservoir, Maids Moreton circular, 3.6 miles

I was making a sandwich when I spotted sunshine out of the kitchen window and decided at 6pm to take my dinner somewhere picturesque, so on with my boots and off across part of my staple walk to Foscote Reservoir. I recently noticed there's a permissive footpath that lets you walk right up to the reservoir wall so I think this will become quite a regular feature of my walks on this side of town. After eating and watching the coots, swallows, swifts, ducks and swans do their thing for an hour I wandered into Maids Moreton to see a friend before heading home. This walk was a wonderful waste of an hour or two and I should do it more often. It occurred to me that this is probably the first solo walk I've done after work this year, so I really want to try and do these more often.

Brailes circular, 8.5 miles

Other than a cold northerly wind, stunning views and an extensive badger set, this walk around Brailes was reasonably unremarkable. A few good hills marked the route with Castle Hill being the first we climbed affording us a great view. Brailes Hill is the second highest point in Warwickshire but there's no footpath to the top so we couldn't climb it. There were some nice spots and we managed a good pace for the terrain of 2.8mph. It wasn't a very exciting walk and initially quite short so we extended it. The last mile or so were through a golf course, which was nice enough but felt somewhat restricting.

It's nice to see my body is now completely at ease with this kind of terrain, distance and pace. I haven't suffered any aches or pains from this walk and only got a couple of very minor blisters on my feet. When working hard, my pulse and breathing rate are considerably less than they were this time a year ago so it's great to see the results of all this walking!

Buckingham, Bourton, Coombes, Adstock linear, 6.4 miles

Another walk with Walking for Wellbeing, we set off mid-afternoon along the river up to the old Bourton road and out towards the Roman bridge near Thornborough. We stopped for a chat by the river where my companion related tales of playing in the water there as a small child. A short hop along the road to the Coombes wildlife reserve and dinner on the bench overlooking the rookery. We continued up past Brightmoor and took the long way up to the road, down past Pilch Farm and back along the long bridleway to Adstock. This was a nice walk with beautiful, quiet open country after the Roman bridge and a lovely stretch back to Adstock village.