View from my seat - High Cup Nick

 

I came back Saturday from a fortnight holiday in the Pennines walking and sightseeing with Gill. Picture is from a solo "there and back" 8 mile walk along the Pennine way from Dufton to High Cup Nick. A fantastic walk with superb views. 

Off message but love this picture.

Check out Pathfinder Guide 39. Orange Walk 26. https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/durham-north-pennines-and-tyne-wear-pathfinder-walks-guidebook/

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.

Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang Windmill Walk

Another great walk from this summer that I haven't managed so far to post. It is a 8 mile 4 hour (Orange graded) circular Pathfinder walk in the Chilterns - Ibstone, Turville and Fingest. Not public transport friendly I am afraid. 

A quiet and rather remote walk through lovely rolling countryside, including sight of the wonderful Cobstone Windmill, which was used as a film location for one of my favourite films from my childhood "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang". 

I will post more pictures from the walk on Facebook. 

Table Mountain walk (South Wales)

I have had a busy summer walking wise but have not posted on many of the great walks that Gill and I have been on recently. This 5 mile circular Pathfinder walk from Crickhowell, South Wales was marvellous. Quite tough on a hot summer day but the views from the top was well worth it. 

Will post more pictures on Facebook - and link.

Chilham, Godmersham and the Stour Valley walk.

Off message but Gill and I had a marvellous walk 2 weeks ago in Kent. Check out the route and map in this Pathfinder book. It is a 10 mile circular walk (graded as a "Orange walk" - which are described as "a more challenging walk"). 

Start of walk is in Chilham which is a very pretty "chocolate box", medieval hill top village with a square, a pub, a church and an impressive Jacobean Mansion. 

You soon join the North Downs Way uphill through woods and tracks then leave it to join a track into Godmersham Park. Some great views and a real sense of isolation.  The park Manor House was once owned by the brother of author, Jane Austin, who used to visit him here and used it to provide details for some of her novels. 

The main picture above is of the weeping willows and the River Stour is from the park. 

You later follow the Stour Valley path and come across many superb views but hardly any other walkers. 

While there is lots of ups and downs, there is nothing too strenuous but 10 miles is a bit of a stretch but you can shorten the route if necessary. As a reward at the end, the village pub has a very nice beer garden, while the café does great coffee and cream teas.  

I will post lots of other photos from the walk on Facebook. 

 

Dunstable Downs Walk

 

Off message but yesterday Gill and I went on a lovely circular 4.5 mile around Dunstable Downs, Chilterns.  Superb views across the Vale of Aylesbury. One hour drive from East London. 

Started off at the National Trust visitor centre. There was scores of families enjoying the wind and the sunshine flying their kites. 

First half of walk was quiet country paths where we hardly saw a soul. One short but busy stretch of road. The Whipsnade Tree Cathedral was worth an explore. This is a variety of trees planted in the shape of a Cathedral by a survivor of the First World War to remember his friends who had been killed. 

The magnificent final mile was along the crest of the Downs back to the flying kites. Quick pint in the Beer garden of "The Farmers Boy. 

Other pictures of walk on my Facebook page. 

Elwy Valley Walk

Off message but over Easter, Gill and I went back to North Wales to see my Mum for her 81st birthday (our Christmas visit has also been cancelled when we caught Covid) and visit other family members. 

During the day we would go for walks and this 5 mile circular in the Elwy Valley was marvellous. Plenty of up and down's, great views and hardly any other walkers. 

Unfortunately the modern Ordinance Survey Pathfinder guide  for the area does not appear to have this walk listed in it anymore. Check out this link on the my OS website "route" for a map of walk but watch out that the right of way footpaths have been slightly changed for parts of the route, so follow what the actual signs indicate rather than your GPS. 

Start in the public car park by the old bridge in Llanfair Talhaiarn. The guidebook warns that you should not attempt this walk in misty weather. We finished the walk with an outdoor drink at the Black Lion. The food looked lovely. Next time. I will post and link further photos on Facebook

View from my Chair: Northward Hill and Halstow Marshes

If you like big skies, bird song, isolation and spring blossom, then this 8 mile energetic circular walk is for you. Gill and I drove down from East London in around 51 minutes (sorry, public transport is not great for this walk) and parked in the RSPB Northward Hill car park (warning - search on this address only). 

We used this "Kent Walks - pathfinder" which is out of date but the latest version doesn't appear to have this marvellous walk, which is an incredible shame. 

It was cloudy and cold in the beginning but later brightened up and the wind dropped. We hardly saw a soul during the walk, the sense of peace, quiet and remoteness was incredible. You could see for miles and miles. 

The walk along the embankment next to the River Thames in the bracing wind was exhilarating. We did this same walk 4 years ago and can still see why Dickens used this location for the famous beginning of "Great Expectations". 

The car park was supposed to close at 4pm so due to my mistake about timing, we had a tough yomp up the hill to get back in time (there is a gate which can be closed). 

Afterwards, we stopped off for a drink at the Red Dog, which was full of families celebrating Mother's Day. 

I have posted further photos on Facebook.

Ightham Mote & One Tree Hill walk

Off message but great walk two Sundays ago in Kent even though we got hopelessly lost. We drove to and parked at the National trust owned moated Manor House at Ightham Mote. Which dates from the 13th century and is justifiably described  as "the most perfect medieval house in England".

We were suppose to do a 6 mile Jarrold Pathfinder circular walk via Oldbury Hill but ended up to our surprise, at One Tree Hill instead. Obviously, Gill and I blamed each other for the map reading error but since we ended up with a lovely 5 mile ridge walk, it didn't really matter.

A fantastic walking and history area only a short drive from London.

Mill Green & Blackmore walk

Off message but did a fabulous 6.5 mile walk in Essex today (Pathfinder Essex walks). Cold and windy but blue skies and sunshine. Mill Green Common is only about 40 minutes from Forest Gate, East London by car (near Brentwood).

The start of the walk is amongst the remnants of the ancient Writtle Forest. You can park outside the "Gray & Sons" pub, "The Cricketers" (no known relative - unfortunately) The landscape of woodland and open grassland has hardly changed since the middle ages. It is amazing that it has survived.

Other highlights of the walk include the many footbridges, the Big Essex skies, beautiful winter sunshine shadows, the picturesque Norman Church at Blackmore (as well as it's lovely village green and duck pond).

Downside was the mud and biting cold wind but what do you expect when walking anywhere in the UK in January?

“There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”

― Alfred Wainwright, A Coast to Coast Walk

Weald Country Park Walk (avoiding "Plonkers Lane")

Off message but this was a lovely 5.5 mile,  Essex pathfinder walk only 30 minutes by car from Forest Gate, London. I have been silently suffering for the last week with the "dreaded lurgy" (aka as "Man flu") so did not feel up to a full London Loop walk

The Park itself was busy being a Bank Holiday. There is a cafe and you could hand feed young deer in an enclosure for only 50p. There was also a fresh organic bread, pie and cake stall.

Outside the County park boundaries, the walk was quiet and all very lush and green apart from the commonplace white spring blossom on trees and hedges. The fields were dominated by bright yellow buttercups. It would also have been a marvellous place to visit a few weeks ago when the bluebells were in season and full bloom.

This is a very much a walk of ancient paths and lanes. We walked along what was once a medieval pilgrim's route to Canterbury and went near Day's Lane, which believe it or not used to be called "Plonkers Lane" (no comment Rodney).

A famous former resident of the local village, South Weald, was ruthless naval hero, John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent. If like me, you are a fan of the historical novelist, Patrick O'Brien, you will know all about this real life former Sea Lord.

You end up back in the forest of the Country park.  We stopped for lunch at two benches overlooking a gorgeous country vista. A couple were sitting at the bench next to us with two dogs. The women asked if I minded taking their picture, sitting on the bench, since they had commissioned it in honour of her husband's late parents.

I said with pleasure and took the pictures. I remarked that my family had also sponsored a bench in the countryside to remember my own Dad.

While flowers and gravestones are very important to people, I think that commissioning a bench somewhere beautiful and special in memory of your loved ones is far more meaningful. It is obviously though a matter of personal choice. 

A Christmas walk "In the Valley of the Elwy"

"Lovely the woods, waters, meadows, combes, vales,
All the air things wear that build this world of Wales..." Gerard Manley Hopkins

Off message but today I went for a truly beautiful walk in the "Switzerland of North Wales" the Elwy Valley.

Walk 15 of Pathfinder guide "North Wales, Snowdon and Offa's Dyke" was only 5.5 miles but was pretty challenging in parts.

It was cold and windy with plenty of winter sunshine. Apart from some fell runners and their dogs we did not see a soul. I was born and bred in North Wales and cannot believe that I have not been walking here before. It was stunning.

There is even a West Ham connection since the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins whose poem "In the Valley of the Elwy" was born in Stratford.

Check out more pictures of walk on FaceBook

Christmas Sunshine Over Maeni Hirion

Off message-ish but I thought I would share my picture of the early bronze age stone circle, Maeni Hirion. It was taken on a marvellous pathfinder guide walk on Sunday in Penmaenmawr, North Wales. The far edge of the Snowdonian National Park overlooking the sea. Nowadays you may have driven past Penmaenmawr in minutes while along the A55 on route to Anglesey or Ireland. In the past it use to be a popular seaside resort. A favourite with William Gladstone.

This stone circle is better known as the "Druids Circle" yet it was built a 1000 years before the Druids first came to the area with Iron Age invaders.

Sunday was only a few days after the winter solstice.  You would imagine in the past that the midst of winter and the shortest day, would have been an important time of the year for those who built it.

It is a breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful site even if the wind whips red raw any skin you foolishly expose to the elements.

Check out the balanced and thoughtful (as ever) Jack of Kent post on the origins of Christmas here.

Nadolig Llawen everyone!

Epping Forest and Upshire Walk

Off message: but a great 9 mile pathfinder walk today on my own doorstep in glorious winter sunshine.

East London Narnia
Click to bring up detail.

Photo album on FaceBook here

Wansfell and Troutbeck Walk

Off message but I spent last week walking and sightseeing in the Lake District. The weather was just a little ropey at times but it's such a beautiful part of the world.

Picture is from the summit of Wansfell looking down at Lake Windermere. A short but relatively tough climb from Ambleside then an easy decent back via Troutbeck valley.

Magnificent views of lakes and fells. I'll post other pictures from the week on Facebook.

Used walking poles for the first time. I found them really useful and definitely felt they made going up easier and protected your knees when coming down. 4 legs are better than 2.

Update: done check out here

Llangollen, Castell Dinas Bran and Valle Crucis Abbey Walk

Off message (ish). Last week I spent hill walking and visiting relatives in North Wales.

We stayed in a 17th Century cottage in the centre of Llangollen. Which is now a beautiful if a little touristy old welsh borders town and crossing over the magnificent River Dee.

In the past it use to be a very industrial area of water mills, canals, railways and mines.

This walk (number 24 pathfinder) was on Bank Holiday Monday. Castle Dinas Bran overlooking Llangollen is well worth the effort. An ancient romantic ruin with fantastic 360 degree panoramic views.

The route below Eglwyseg cliffs is quiet, peaceful and vivid lush green. There is an upside to the rain in Wales after all!

Valle Crucis Abbey is stunning even if it is in the middle of a caravan park. While the final section past Horseshoe Falls and the Shropshire Union canal is simply gorgeous.

(I'll post pictures on FaceBook)

Finchingfield and Great Bardfield Walk

Off message but I had a glorious country walk yesterday.  Started in Finchingfield, Essex which is often described as the county's "prettiest village".  The weather was perfect - warm and sunny.  It is not that often you can wear shorts and a shirt in this country during October.

It was a little sad to come across these iron watermills rusting away. An important part of our history will one day just disappear. Mind you, it is now a beautiful and peaceful spot.

If you have a Facebook account I have posted more pictures here.  Once again despite being only 50 minutes drive from Forest Gate in East London there were very few other walkers. 

Hampstead Heath Walk (Down at the Old Bull & Bush)

Another “off message” glorious Summer Sunday walk. Gospel Oak is only 29 minutes from Wanstead Park station, Forest Gate on the “Overground”. This is a great train service that also gives you a “heads up” on London via a brick viaduct (aka the “magic train”). Come out of Gospel Oak station, turn left and the Heath is only a couple of minutes away.

Walk 12 “In and around London” Pathfinder. Only 4.5 miles but it is surprisingly hilly in parts. While for most of the walk it was pretty busy other parts were very quiet and peaceful. Started at point F of walk near the “Stone of Free Speech”. Which is either a 17th Century “focus of political and religious debate” or a just a trig point. Google it and you get different accounts.

The views of central London from the top of Parliament Hill is very, very impressive (see main pic & double click).

Carry on past the mixed bathing ponds. First pub on route is the Jack Straw Castle which is supposed to be where this leader of the Peasants Revolt in 1381 met his followers. I gave it a miss since it was almost totally rebuilt in the 1960’s. I had planned to have lunch at the “Old Bull and Bush”. This is the pub made famous by the musical hall song “Down at the Old Bull and Bush” (see Florrie Forde YouTube link). I was slightly horrified to find that my expected London Cockney boozer had been converted into a Gastropub! Despite my misgivings, I was starving and thirsty and actually had a first class freshly cooked and tasty meal. Recommended.

A little further on there was the Spaniard Inn. Which I had a quick look (only) around and this was more like your traditional London former coaching inn. It claimed that Dick Turpin was “probably” born here. 

Soon after I bumped into Carolyn from the Unison London regional office who was off to lunch nearby with her youngest son. We had a quick chat about the next regional health and safety committee.

Next was the 18th Century Kenwood House now owned by the English Heritage. The rain then started falling. Not too heavy but enough to make the rest of the walk a bit soggy if not unpleasant. The kids and the dogs in the Heath didn’t seem to mind the rain and carried on playing while the adults ran for shelter. On the way out you were serenaded by live jazz being played in the bandstand. Back home via the magic train. More pics on my Facebook here.

A good day.

Ardeley, Benington and Walkern Walk

Off message but on Sunday, as part of my post Conference recovery plan. I went for a countryside walk in deepest Hertfordshire. The walk was glorious as was the weather. Double click picture.

48 hours previously I was sitting with my delegation in a converted Mancunian Railway station, plotting and planning, listening to speeches, while struck down with the recognised UNISON medical condition - “Conference lergie”. 

But now I was walking along lovely peaceful ancient paths and byways. Enjoying the blue skies and the sunshine. Spotting wild deer, being blockaded in by greedy spoilt ponies, having a lunch in the 15th Century pub The Bell and investigating a Flower Festival in a medieval Church. For some inexplicable reason I wondered off route and this Pathfinder 7 mile walk actually turned into 10 miles. Obviously, I suspect UUL sabotage.

It is amazing how few other walkers you see. Every weekend Londoners in particular will travel enormous distances up and down the Country to go walking in the traditional often crowded National Park beauty spots. Yet practically on their doorstep there is fantastic countryside to explore with usually hardly a soul to bother you.

I’ll post other pictures of this wonderful walk on Facebook.

A prayer for Alberto Korda (of "Guerrillero Heroico" and Fidel Castro fame) in an English Medieval Church

This is a little unusual but an interesting tale - I think anyway.  Last week I was on holiday in the Cotswolds and went for this 7 mile Pathfinder country walk round Ilmington and Ebrington. It was a lovely bright, blue skies and sunshine day. Half way into the walk I stopped off to have a look around the 13th Century St. Eadburgha Church.

Ebrington is a simply beautiful thatched cottage Chocolate box Gloucestershire village.  Very old and very English - as was the church. Well worth a visit for anyone with any sense of history. So I was somewhat surprised to see this inscription in

the Visitors Comments book by Keith Cardwell.  Who had come to the Church on the 25 May this year to say a prayer for his old friend, Alberto Korda, who had died 10 years ago on this day. 

Alberto had been the personal photographer of Cuban revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, and had took the iconic picture above of the "Heroic Guerrilla" Che Guevara.  Which I am slightly embarrassed to admit (only slightly) that like many others I had a tee shirt in my dim and distance youth with this same image on it (which I still have somewhere!).

I really don't know whether Keith, Che or Fidel were or are at all religious (the last two are certainly most unlikely to be C of E - Church of England) but I think that Keith's prayer and comments remembering "a great friend and a good man" will strike a cord with most of us.  I'm not sure that the "God Bless Fidel" will go down all that well in the modern day Cotswolds never mind parts of Miami.

Of course we should not forget that if they were RC then this Church for the first 300 odd years of its long existence would have been a Roman Catholic Church.