16th February We've had a series of Bedfordshire walks over the last few weeks and it was high time we did a quintessentially Chiltern walk...and this was going to be it....except that the muppet who arranges the weekly walks forgot to load up the coordinates on the GPS before leaving...and I only discover this as we're getting ready to walk out of Rotherfield Peppard.
2019
Redbourn
9th February To tell the truth, I'm still smarting from the 'Not one of your better walks' put down of a few weeks ago! It's Bedfordshire, for goodness sake! What did you expect? This week we're in Hertfordshire...just...completing the Nickey Line from Redbourn as far as Hemel Hempstead before heading north towards Gaddesden Row and then picking our way through the lanes and bridleways back to Redbourn.
Slapton
26th January A break from my current obsession. This time a walk that includes a windmill and a canal...you can't go wrong with a walk that includes them both! It's barely light as we park up near the Pitstone Windmill and head across the fields, through Pitstone and down to the Grand Union Canal at Great Seabrook. The great thing about starting this early is that the paths are empty...this time we're missing the canal cyclists...in the way you miss a hole in the head.
Harpenden
19th January After last week, it could only get better. To be fair, we were starting from a low base! Nevertheless this was a decent 13 mile walk to clear away the mid-winter cabin fever. Occasionally we stumble upon places that we are completely unaware of and the Nickey Line is one of those. Running from Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead, this is a throw back to days when railway lines were more common and travel by rail was a genuine option. Now a cycle-footpath, it provides a gentle start to our walk as far a Redbourn.
Toddington
13th January This goes down in family history as 'Not one of your better walks!' Sue has years of teaching experience on which to drawn when summing up disappointment...and this was her damning conclusion to this afternoon's walk. To be fair, it's hard to argue.
Chalfont St Giles
1st January Start the year as you mean to go on! We're up while the rest of the world is still asleep, recovering from having seen in the New Year. This is more a reflection of our traditional way of seeing in the New Year, fast asleep. It certainly doesn't mean we're able to party hard and still get up early! A couple of dog walkers are the only other people to have made it up this early...and they're missing a good start to the year. The skies start heavy and grey but within 30 minutes the sun starts to break through and by the time we reach Chalfont St Giles the sky is blue and the fresh breeze carries clouds at breakneck speed across the Misbourne Valley.
Where Angells Tread! 