Lambourne End Walk

Off message. For various reasons (winter lergies, holidays, work, rotten weather etc) I have not been on any walks for a while. Two weeks ago was the first proper local walk, Gill and I, had been on this year - and it was marvellous. Blue skies, sunshine and pretty countryside. A little cold, some ice and mud but nothing too difficult. 

The start of the walk is only just over 20 mins by car from East London (Public transport links not great). You can find the walk and download a map via the Ordinance Survey site https://explore.osmaps.com/ (subscription needed but well worth it). 

It is a circular route about 5.19 miles (my Zepp app recorded 6.14 miles but it does overestimate). Mostly flat or gentile up and downs, with fine views. Nothing too strenuous. Very few other walkers. Peaceful apart from occasional planes. 

We stopped off at the historic 12th Century Church in Lambourne. There was an a Sunday service going on at the time so we could not look around. Next time. It is telling that this church was built next to the local landowners hall but some distance away from the nearest village in Abridge. 

Aythorpe Roding, Woodlard Ash and Hellman's Cross walk (and the site of the execution of Elizabeth Abbot for witchcraft?)

 

Gill and I went today for a 5 mile circular walk in North Essex, starting at the ancient church in Aythorpe Roding. There are 8 settlements that take their name from the River Roding, which flows all the way into the Thames and also via Newham. 

The walk is listed in one of our earliest walking books "Walks for Motorists - Essex" by Fred Matthews (by coincidence the name of my Welsh Grandfather/Taid - no known relative). I think we did this walk around 2000 but have no record or memory of it!

It is only 45 minutes drive from East London but there is a real sense of remoteness and we came across no other walkers (even dog walkers). Only a mother leading her daughter on a pony and a few cyclists (apart from one very short stretch of road with some traffic around Hellman's Cross).  Mostly green lanes and super quiet country roads. We disturbed 4 deer who quickly ran off and we could see bird of prey floating in the skies looking for a meal. 

We stopped off at Hellmans Corner for lunch (a handy bench to sit on) and checked out the recreation of the Stocks and whipping posts at this site by the local council. The last "punishment" recorded is for drunkenness in 1860. However, it also mentioned that in 1683 local resident, Elizabeth Abbott, was burnt to death here for witchcraft. I came across this in a previous walk here in 2011.  https://www.johnslabourblog.org/2011/11/elizabeth-abbot-burnt-to-death-for.html

However, it seems that there is little evidence that this particular punishment (aka state murder) actually happened http://willowwinsham.com/uncategorized/elizabeth-abbot-and-dionisia-josselyn-two-essex-witches/#comment-21625

There was a mixture of sunshine and cloud with lots and lots of big Essex skies. No gates or styles. Rolling countryside with no hills or tough climbs. At the end of the walk we went for a drink at the "Axe and Compasses" and enjoyed watching sunset over the nearby windmill (see above). Check out more photos on my Facebook account. 

Hatfield Heath, Essex Walk (& The Great British Bake Off )

For various reasons I haven't posted any walks lately. I know some say they enjoy my posts on walking more than the ones on politics or trade unions! To me, my walking or running (very slowly) in the countryside is my "hinterland". 

This walk last month was a delight. A bit overcast but quiet and peaceful. Started off with a coffee in local village cafe and a pint in a local pub at end.

I found this 5.9 mile circular walk in the Ordinance Survey website (subscription) and it was provided by Country Walking magazine (which also a subscription but is free for certain walks if you subscribe to OS but you only get very limited details - see below).

Description

Gently sloping fields, streamside paths and small woods make up the quintessentially English landscapes around Down Hall, the hotel where this year's The Great British Bake Off was filmed. The cross-country Stort Valley Way and Forest Way meet to form a circuit that passes Down Hall (where you could have a fancy tea on the terrace) and runs through the pretty village of Hatfield Heath with its bakery, pubs and cafés. By Phoebe Taplin ROUTE Start/parking: Holy Trinity church, Hatfield Heath/roadside parking, grid ref TL523150, CM22 7EU Is it for me? Easy country paths and tracks, but mud all year. Seriously muddy in winter. Steps can be slippy. Some road walking Stiles: 3 PLANNING Nearest town: Sawbridgeworth Refreshments: Two pubs, several cafés, takeaways, good bakery and shops in Hatfield Heath, including Tea on the Heath. Down Hall serves afternoon tea (01279 731441) Public toilets: In Marriage Feast Hall, Matching Public transport: Buses 5 from Bishops Stortford to Stansted Airport and 59 Harlow-Chelmsford stop hourly near start/end Maps: OS Explorer 183; Landranger 167

Howe Street & Great Waltham, Essex Country walk

 

Gill and I went for this lovely 6.5 mile circular walk on Monday in Essex about 1 hour drive from East London. A fairly easy walk at this time of the year since it was pretty flat, cool, sunny and lush. Essex looking at its best and comparatively quiet. 

The grave stones bottom right are of the dogs from the local Stately home (bottom left). Mostly much loved Labs. 

I found the route on my favourite Ordnance Survey app (paid) and downloaded to my smartphone. 

Blackmore, Essex - Walk Feb 23

Gill and I went on another Big Essex Skies and Sunshine walk today, starting and finishing in Blackmore. This was a "moderate" 7.41 mile walk only 35 minutes by car from East London (public transport not great but possible). Considerate parking on street available. 

We started off with a coffee and tea outdoors at the Blackmore Tea Rooms (I "had to" have a hot sausage roll as well). This cafe was full of brightly clad cyclists also enjoying a drink or bite to eat.

Blackmore and the surrounding villages, hamlets and cottages are simply lovely, with lots of ancient duck ponds, green lanes, footpaths, forests and heathland. 

There is even a pub, The Cricketer" run by "Gray and Sons" breweries (no known relative unfortunately).

The birdsong was marvellous and we heard at least 3 different woodpeckers. Lots of signs of spring. 

There was some noise from local non commercial planes but nothing major. We saw 3 road motorbikes riding along a public footpath, but they were travelling quite slow. I took a picture but the number plates are not clear, so I have not been able to report to Police/Council. 

There was an unusual warning notice in a wood "Caution Archery practice in progress" but we could see no such activity at this time. 

Apart from the marvellous spring like weather, the walk had lots of variety, walking through fields, Common land, forests and villages. A little bit of up and down but this is Essex. 

I finished off with a pint of Doombar in the "Prince Albert" (the only ale available at that time on tap)

I downloaded this walk via the Ordnance Survey site for free (a subscription service but definitely recommended and it originated from the Country Walking site).  We just used the app to navigate and for once did not get lost (apart from few "mishaps" which were easily corrected)

This post with further pictures and map will be on my personal Facebook page but also on https://www.facebook.com/walksinandaroundlondon/. This site has nearly all our walks listed. 

Nazeing Common walk

Off message but on Sunday Gill and I went for a 5 mile circular walk around Nazeing Common in Essex. Only 30 minutes drive from East London (not great for public transport), we have done several versions of this walk but this one was taken from the Ordnance Survey (OS) app supplied by Country Walking magazine (no route instructions, map only).

It was quite a dull and cold day but it was great to get out of London, stretch your legs and fill your lungs with fresh country air. An easy walk with a little bit of up and down to get your pulse working. Highlights of walk was coming across a herd of deer in a wood, who ran off but remained within sight while we had hot drinks and snacks. 

Near the marvellously named "Bumbles Green", we were amazed at spotting tractors hauling trailers full of parents and and small kids to go and pick, then get chopped down, Christmas Trees. On the trailers, they all had to sit on bales of hay, which looked most unsafe but must have been great fun for the kids.

As normal, we saw very few other people apart from the Crimbo tree brigade and the occasional dog walker. Walking through Nazeing golf club was a little dodgy since the path was not clear but the golfers were patient with us. 

Didn't go for beer at end of walk since we had get to supermarket to pick up a decent Sunday Roast (Forerib) before it closed. 

Check out other pictures of walk (not that exciting since overcast) on Facebook here

White Notley and Cressing Walk

 It has been a while since I have been for (or posted) a country walk for various reasons. Today Gill and I took advantage of a dry and warmish weather forecast to go for this 7.5 mile circular walk in Essex. A map and description is in this Essex Walks Pathfinder booklet. You can also access the walk online if you subscribe to the Ordnance Survey app (which is largely brilliant but not perfect. £4.99 pm or less for an annual payment)

It was rather flat and cloudy (so no big Essex skies) but nice to get out in the countryside, enjoy the fresh air and the relative solitude. There is a longer version of the walk which includes a visit to the historic Cressing temple which we didn't have time for today.  

Check out further pictures and comments on this walk via my Facebook page.

Thaxted Circular Walk (and return to the Church of the "Red Vicar")

 

Gill and I returned today to Thaxted in Essex to follow this 6.5 mile  circular walk from our old version of the local Pathfinder Guide. We did this walk previously in 2014. 

Today was a lovely tramp through largely quiet countryside but had no great challenges.  There was however noise from planes passing over to land at Stanstead airport. 

The weather was lovely, with blue skies and sunshine but a cold wind. We hardly saw anyone during the walk. There were a number of my favourite ancient enclosed green lanes. Some paths were a little muddy but if it had been wet, you would need to wear wellies or gaiters. 

We saw wild deer, red kites birds of prey, squirrels, numerous other birds, lots of snow drops, daffodils and beautiful early tree blossom. Spring is definitely on its way. 

In 2014 I posted here on this walk that a past priest of the amazing Thaxted church, was known as the "Red Vicar", who use to fly the Red Flag banner of the Soviet Union and Shin Fenn, inside the church and then had to be protected by dismissed Police strikers from outraged locals. 

On the way back we stopped off at the 15th century timber framed Guild Hall and noticed a remembrance plaque to local men, who had died in the first and second world wars. Apart from noting that 55 killed during the first world war, compared with "only"10 in the second. You can see that liberty and freedom can some times come at a terrible price. 

Gill noticed that the names of a "John Gray" and a "Walter Gray" were recorded on the plaque as being killed in action during the first world war. It would appear from my internet searches that both of them were local young men who were killed in 1917 and may have been related but were not siblings. 

After a pleasant drink in the local "Swan Pub" we drove back to London, listening to the dreadful news updates on the vile and fascistic invasion of brave Ukraine by Russia and its foul dictator, Putin.  

Check out more photos https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10158647568778434&id=732243433

Hanningfield Reservoir walk

Off message but recently Gill and I did this short (4 mile) walk starting and finishing at Hanningfield Reservoir in South Essex (near Chelmsford) about 40 minutes drive from Newham (public transport not good). Big Essex Skies. 

Check out Essex Pathfinder books. Will post more pictures on Facebook. 

A lovely walk despite typical British winter weather - sunshine, cloud and occasional rain. A bit muddy crossing fields. 

Greensted Essex Walk - start at "oldest Wooden Church in the World" (& Tolpuddle Martyrs connection)

Today, Gill and I went on a superb autumnal walk, starting off from one of my very favourite locations, Greensted Church near Chipping Ongar, Essex. Which is not only the "oldest Wooden Church in the World" but was also the local church of many of the trade union "Tolpuddle Martyrs" after they returned from transportation in Australia. 

The weather was glorious with sunshine and "Big Essex Skies", apart from the last 10 minutes of the walk when it poured down with rain. 10 minutes later it was sunshine again. 

The actual walk was a 7 mile circular, which I found in Walks & Walking. Unfortunately, part of the route had been closed due to safety concerns about bridges so you have to make a messy detour (during which we got just a little lost).  

Until this is fixed, I would suggest using the walk "Greensted Church and Chipping Ongar" 4.5 mile in "Essex Outstanding Circular Walks Guide". 

Great pint of Doombar in "Two Brewers" garden. 

Check out other photos on Facebook 

Newport and Debden Essex "Big Skies" walk

 

Off message. This is our favourite Essex Pathfinder walk. Only 40 minutes drive from Forest Gate (and accessible by rail). A 6.5 mile circular walk starting from Newport Railway Station. It is quite hilly for Essex and lots of lovely green lanes and footpaths as well as loads of attractive thatched cottages. 

On this clear day last Sunday, with lots of sunshine, the Essex "big skies" back drop to this walk is spectacular. You hardly see another soul on this walk. Last post on this walk in snow and ice 2010. 

Benfleet Downs & Hadleigh Marsh Walk

 

"Off message" but another lovely post lockdown walk with Gill, 53 minutes by car from Forest Gate. This time in Essex, starting off at at the ruined but still very impressive, 13th Century Castle at Hadleigh, which has great views overlooking Canvey Island, the Thames Estuary and the Kentish North Downs. 

We walked along the Benfleet creek embankment and enjoyed the clouds and sunshine of "Big Skies" Essex. It was cold and windy in exposed parts but warm out of the wind and when in the sunshine. 

We also walked up and then down to the Olympic (2012) Mountain Bike park which is currently closed for essential maintenance. I must get a decent mountain bike and visit when it reopens. 

"On message" is that we started at the former "Labour colony" next to Hadleigh Castle which was set up by the founder of the Salvation Army, General Booth. Check out here further information  these http://www.workhouses.org.uk/labourcolonies/.  This is not something that I would support nowadays but at least in the 19th century, someone was trying to do something about poverty and unemployment.  It is now a tea room, rare breeds farm and Salvation Army centre. Closed now but hopefully opened from tomorrow. 

Happy New Year / Blwyddyn Newydd Dda: Despite Covid, Brexit & Boris - Let's raise a toast to a better 2021

Photo from the Fyfield village bridge across the River Roding overlooking the 13th Century Mill pond. 

Post 2nd Lockdown circular walk around Little Baddow, Essex

 

Off message and hat tip to "Walking in Essex" by Peter Aylmer but today Gill and I went for a lovely 5 mile walk around Little Baddow, Essex, which is around 45 minutes drive from Forest Gate. The full walk is 10 miles but we split it in two. 

This is one of the hilliest parts of Essex and there are many stunning landscape views but also everywhere, there was wonderful Essex big skies vista. The mostly blue skies and sunshine helped. 

We saw onroute one muntjac deer, grey squirrels and many pheasants, 

There was a slight problem that the River Chelmer was flooded (ses collage) so we had to make detours but with membership of OS Maps online you can find out where you are via your smartphone and see what alternative routes you can use. 

It was sad to read in our guidebook that Lady Alice Mildmay (of Little Baddow Hall see top left) haunts a bridge we crossed where she killed herself in 1615 "to escape her husbands unkindness". 

Apparently also that Baddow Manor used to belong to Scottish King (or rebel)  "Robert the Bruce"

Essex Way: Fairstead to Cressing circular walk

Another lovely 8 mile walk along the Essex Way (and back). We started today at Fairstead Church and went to Cressing along this national path then self guided back to Fairstead along alternative routes.

Fantastic ancient green lanes and big Essex skies. At end of walk we went into the Church (partly built using bricks from a former Roman Villa) and viewed the medieval wall paintings.

This was a lovely and peaceful walk which is highly recommended. We hardly saw a soul all day. 

Bowers Marsh Walk & the Battle of Benfleet

Off message but went with Gill on a lovely 5.5 mile walk on Sunday courtesy of the free website EssexWalks.Com.

We started off at the RSPB reserve at Bowers Marsh which has a wonderful sense of "Big Essex Skies" and marsh land solitude despite the distant hum of road traffic.

Follow the Thames Path out of the marsh and under the road bridge and along the mudflats of East Haven creek. The path is a little overgrown approaching a second world war pill box so not suitable for shorts or sandals.

It was very pleasant walking along the creek and checking out the boats moored or those abandoned to rot beside it.

At Benfleet there was a memorial to the battle in 894AD when the Saxons defeated the Vikings in a surprise attack and burnt their long ships. Traces of the burnt ship timbers were apparently found when the railway was built.

After walking through parks, back of houses green lanes and horse paddocks (we had to climb over a gate on a public footpath which had been locked shut with a screw - must remember to report to Essex Council rights of way officer) we stopped at the historic 14th Century St Margaret's Church, which is reputed to be haunted, but nothing spooky occurred and the Church wardens who let us in were very friendly.

At least we think... they were the wardens?

We stopped off at the nearby Gun Pub for a beer to re-hydrate then drove home (about 45 minutes each way). You could take the train and start the circular route at Benfleet station.

I do recommended this walk, there is some traffic/train noise and you walk through a few brownfield sites but it has lots of atmosphere and history as well as being a change from chocolate box "pretty" country side walks. EssexWalks.Com has lots of excellent free walks across the county. 

Essex Way: Epping to Chipping Ongar

Off message. Last year Gill and I finally finished the London Loop walk (which took us 3 years to complete in stages) but on 10 June we started our next long distance walking challenge, the 82 mile (130 km) Essex Way. Which starts in Epping and finishes in Harwich. There are 10 stages, first is  Epping to Chipping Ongar.

We took the 58 bus to Leyton Station then the Central Line to Epping. Went the wrong way out of Epping station but soon found our way on the well signposted route. Lovely rolling countryside but some noise at first from M11. Crossed over M11 on footbridge and then soon found ourselves in timeless beautiful rural essex.

There are a couple of nice looking pubs on the way but to me the best part of the walk was stopping off at the ancient Saxon Greensted Church (see collage above) which is believed to be the oldest wooden church in the world.

After their pardon and return from transportation in Australia, the trade union Tolpuddle Martyrs, settled in this area and were given land to farm. Two of the Martyrs married in this church but the local vicar is blamed for forcing them to leave and most of them later emigrated to Canada.

Stage one finished at Chipping Ongar (8 miles). We got 410 bus back to Epping then Central Line to Leyton and 58 bus back to Forest Gate.

A lovely and quiet country walk. Recommended. I am also thinking of whether we can enter a Newham Labour team into the relay race on Sunday 2 September when teams will complete the entire 82 miles in one day.

Watch this space. 

Clavering Walk

Off message,on Sunday I had my first day off from politics and the union for a long time. I downloaded this 8.5 mile circular route from the free website Essexwalks.com and Gill and I drove to Clavering near Bishop Stortford about 45 minutes from East London.

The weather started off dry, cold and overcast but brightened up in the afternoon.

The walk went through the chocolate box Essex villages of Clavering, Arkesden, Wicken Bonhunt and Rickling.  By the end of the walk you become somewhat bored by over exposure to beautiful thatched cottages, babbling streams, Essex big skies and ancient deserted churches. It was quite undulating terrain for Essex but nothing too hilly. .

We stopped for lunch outside St Margaret's Church in Wicken Bonhunt. Inside the Church there was a plaque recording villagers killed in the First World War.  24 men from such a small community compared to 5 in the Second World War. Many had the same surname. 4 had the surname "Banks", 2  "Johnson", 2 "Kettridge", 2 "King", 2 "Perry" and finally 2 had surname "Stanley" (there was even one "Arthur Gray"). Some families must have lost all their sons.

For some much older history check out "The Domesday Book refers to the separate manors of Wica and Banhunta. It records that Saxi, a free man, held Wicken before 1066 as a manor for 3 hides and 13 acres with 9 villagers, 8 smallholders and 3 slaves with 2 ploughs in lordship plus 3 men’s ploughs. Woodland supported 100 pigs, 1 cob, 40 sheep and 36 goats. Its value is given as ‘always £7’".

Who knew the Saxons had slaves in England.

We hardly saw any other walkers. Apart from the big fat cat we did see wild deer, Mad March hare and bumblebees.While there was also a cacophony of nest building birdsong. Some unwelcome rumbling noise from the M11 and Stansted airport planes but overall it was a lovely and relaxing walk. Strongly recommended.

While in Dancing Dick's Lane - White Notley to Witham walk

Definitely off message but today Gill and I went for a linear walk from White Notley station to Witham station (Essex). It was a walk in an old booklet I found on my shelf called "Off the Beaten Track - 20 Rambles in Rural Essex" by Great Eastern Railway.

We had a a bit of a mad panic to get to the station to catch the train to White Notley since the ticket machine at Forest Gate station is currently out of action (should have used the new ones at Wanstead Park).

The walk was fantastic. Really pretty countryside and chocolate box villages. Very quiet and peaceful. We passed no other ramblers even though much of the route followed part of the long distance footpath, the Essex Walk. Apart from a couple of friendly dog owners we saw no-one.

The weather helped, since it was warm and blue skies (I was comfortable wearing only a tee-shirt on 15 October!).

It was interesting to see that an old Post Office red telephone box had been turned into a village base for an emergency Defibrillator in case anyone has a heart attack nearby (my father died while on a walking expedition and I have often wondered if he could have been saved if a defibrillator had been accessible. He had stopped off at a town for breakfast when he had the attack).

The 14th century church in Terling was lovely to visit. An ancient church with brass rubbings of long died medieval knights but still a valued community and religious centre currently celebrating the harvest festival. Well worth a visit if open.

The final part of the walk into Witham was along the oddly named "Dancing Dicks Lane" which went past "Dancing Dicks Cottages" and "Dancing Dicks Farm". I have googled this and found no explanation whatsoever for these names. I did feel obliged to participate and dance even though my name is not Richard (see above picture in collage).

Stopped off at Witham for a much needed drink with our nephew Lewis and his partner, Felicity, and our great niece the gorgeous Teagan!

A fab walk. The booklet said 8 miles (the instructions were not very good but may be just out of date. Make sure you have a Ordnance survey map/route planner with you) but Sportrate on my BlackBerry recorded 11.9 miles (and it took 4 hours 40 which is accurate including stops).

Essex Walks: Matching - Sunday 6 August 2017

Off message but Gill and I did a lovely circular 5.3 mile walk today around Matching in Essex (near Harlow). You start at the ancient village church and walk down the road to the most glorious english duck pond ever. You then cross lush meadows surrounded by woods spoilt only slightly by the occasional jet taking off in the distance from Stansted airport and the faint hum of the M11.

You walk away from this into quiet country lanes and across overgrown bridleways. If you don't like getting your legs a little scratched from thorns and nettles then don't wear shorts.

We passed huge fields planted with a crop of peas or beans that appear to have been left to go black and rot for unknown reasons. Then massive field after field of golden wheat just waiting to be harvested.

There were also countless massive dragonflies and fluttering butterflies with the occasional bird of prey up high on patrol for its next meal. Apart from that we saw hardly anyone for the entire walk.

Halfway through the walk, you could leave the route for the Fox pub in Matching Tye for a meal or drink but instead we enjoyed a picnic on the edge of a wood overlooking yet another expansion of wheat.

You finish off along farm tracks and end up again at the start point, the Church of St.Mary the Virgin which is well worth a visit. The guide book that you can buy inside for £2 suggests it was built on the site of a old Saxon Church and has been altered and rebuilt a number of times during the past 1000 years.

I note that the distinguished Welsh scholar and poet, John Morgan, was a vicar here 1728-1732.

30m to the west of the church is the "unique" two story "Wedding Feast Room" built in the late 15th century "for the entertainment of poor people on their wedding day". Amazing.

In the church there is also a memorial to the 197 American airman from 391st Bomb Group who were killed, wounded or missing while based at the Matching airfield from January to October 1944 in support of the D Day Landing.

This was a great walk only 40 minutes drive from East London in a particularly lovely part of Essex.

Hat tip Essex Walks