An earlier pick up today as our leader and driver had an early evening appointment. Agreed we’d meet at Wallingford at 07.30 so that it was easier at the end of the day. Amazing drive over, very frosty and incredible sunrise but sadly no time or place to stop for photos as quite a tricky cross country journey.
Over to Wendover but instead of starting at last night’s pick up we went to the station where we should have finished. So missed about half a mile along a main road, I’m sure we’ve made it up elsewhere!
An unusual start as we walk through the town and next to a park. We follow a track at the edge of the village and start heading out towards woodland. Before being surrounded by trees this rather splendid avenue is past.
Clear paths and not quite as muddy so far, through beech woods, a few riders out again today. This is still undulating countryside with some steep slopes. First through Hale Woods and then on by open fields before more woods. The beech leaves on the ground still have a strong colour.
More woodland and then a coffee stop at Hastoe Village Hall. Mirella went inside to see if anyone was selling coffee but alas just a puppy training class! She did use the facilities! We’ve been so lucky, warm sun again today. Onward, we are now in Tring Park and walking along King Charles avenue – much more formal. We see the entrance to a children’s adventure area.
We head out of the park and down the spur of a hill, we are about to cross an area where every single possible service/ transport route are squashed together. Firstly over the A41, a well appointed bridge, we come off this and almost immediately cross the A4251 and along a short distance before we follow a track next to a large hotel estate. On to a road and then over the Grand Union Canal before coming to Tring Station which is a way out of the town. An offer of a lunch stop in the station car park is firmly declined! There’s a well placed path in the field next to the road and we shortly divert off along a well appointed track before heading into woods. We are in NT maintained property and there are good steps and a well defined path. We do eventually stop for lunch and sit on a bank. Other walkers stop to chat and we know we are not too far from our final destination.
We come out on to Pitstone Hill- amazing views including looking back to see where we have come from. We just walked back into Buckinghamshire having been in Hertfordshire. This section of the walk has put me in mind of a period in my life when I was the Guiding Association walking Advisor for Anglia Region which included both of these counties plus several others. We did once walk from Ivinghoe Beacon to Chinnor over a weekend. Some good times!
We can just about see our final destination and with a car park at the bottom of Pitstone it has suddenly become much busier. Whilst looking out we could see a windmill, a really special design. A post mill built in 1627 it is unique in its design as the whole mill turns to allow the sails to catch the wind.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/pitstone-windmill
A couple of steep climbs and some of the worst mud of the week – too late to worry about dirty boots!
And then we are there! Officially 87 miles and seven days of getting up and walking, each day very different. The three of us have stuck it out and really do feel a sense of achievement. The sun is so strong we have to turn away from it for a photo. We really couldn’t have had better conditions in January.
Steve has this great idea of going down to meet the van by a very steep grassy ‘not path’ – Anna finds this very difficult and ends up coming down much of it on her bottom! Not quite the ending she had planned I’m sure!
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 