Hertfordshire Challenge Walk - 25 miles Saturday 11th May 2013

Hello again dear Reader,

Despite suggesting I would cease doing 20+ mile training walks, the habit continues as my penchant for masochistic pursuits knows no limit.

On Saturday 11th May, I successfully completed the 25 mile Hertfordshire Challenge Walk in a wide loop north from North Hertford train station.I must say my prejudices based on my slogs down River Lee were totally unjustified. This was one of the best long distance walks I have ever completed, and that is saying something!

I was conscious my long distance walks were taking up entire days at the weekend, and the frustration for Karen, who would prefer to do other things together. Therefore, I decided to get up at 4.30 am in order to catch the 05.32 train from Finsbury Park. As it happened I dawdled and then forgot my camera, so had to come back and put my feet up for 45 minutes as I waited to get the 06.32 train! Damn, I could have had a lie-in until 5.30 am!

I arrived with Rufus in Hertford at 7.15 and off we set. The aim was to maintain a reasonable pace of 3 mph and arrive back at the start for around 3pm to meet Karen and go off for lunch somewhere.

Our Local Country Path looking verdant and splendid as I set off

The initial ½ mile was on the busy A119 which delayed the surprise when I eventually turned off the main road. This was a real surprise and now I know I will do this route again.

These next 3 shots show the lovely start.

Really attractive riverside walk at the start

This was a lovely place, which included this little church nestled onto the riverbank

Eventually, I crossed under the railway and walked along a lovely woodland path for about ½ mile.

It was at this point, Rufus decided to have his first dip and drink of the day. This was a surprisingly long wait for Rufus, who normally jumps in the first sign of water he gets.

Rufus first dip of the day

Soon after the woodland path, we moved into open countryside. The views were great, made all the better now the crops are in full bloom. Herfordshire really is lovely, and has such great open spaces, with nothing but countryside to see for miles and miles.

This was a great time of year for walking. I had spectacular displays of bluebells in the wooded areas

Beautiful rolling countryside

I was admiring the views so much, I was veering off course, so ended up having to walk through this woodland below to get back on course.

However, that just offered yet more glimpses of bluebells in full bloom. There were huge carpets of them mixed with equally spectacular displays of Wood Anemones.

Bluebells

Bluebells and Wood Anemones

Spectacular carpet of bluebells

OK, enough of the bluebells and onto the walk. You can tell at this stage, I'm not suffering the usual litany of ailments that usually afflicts me later on these long walks, but you have to enjoy things while you can. 

The woodland section carried on for a short while before bursting out into the open

Pretty much now, the walk is across open countryside, allowing Rufus the freedom to run around, chasing rabbit scents.

Is that a rabbit I smell?

I could hear roaring water to my left and came upon this small weir.

Just next to the weir was our first and only style of the day, and it was this monster ladder style. I thanked my luck I had put on Rufus' style harness, and told him to wait for me to carry him over.

Rufus waiting for assistance to get over ladder style.

I asked him to wait for me to help him, but his command of the English language is not great, so he must have thought I said go ahead and do it yourself! He just scrambled up and hopped down the other side. I expected to see him in a crumpled heap on the other side, but instead saw this angelic face looking up at me wondering what all the fuss was about!

It's easy all this style lark!

We walked through Woodhall Park, just north of the little hamlet of Stapleford. This was a massive country estate with a private school in the grounds and huge fields of sheep we had to plough through. We had to divert around the edge of the estate, and I came up onto the estate road too early and came to the lodge at the edge of the estate and a locked gate. There was a bloke in his dressing gown drinking his morning coffee who looked amused at my attempts to open the gate, before he said this is not the footpath you know! So I was basically trying to bash his garden gate down! he kindly let me though by pushing a button in his house that electronically opened the gate.

As I crossed over the A602 onto the Sacombebury estate, I saw this massive bird of prey hovering overhead, which I assume was a Kite. I am pretty sure I haven't seen one before, but it was impressive.

A kite hovers overhead

As I progressed I came across countless tiny little churches like this one at Sacombe.

As I broke into open country again, I caught this view below, which was my favourite shot of the day!

Spectacular scenery

There were just fields as far as the eye could see.

Rufus having a well deserved rest

As I went though Lodge farm near Dane End, there was this field with horses in, all beautifully groomed. the fences were all electrified, but it tickled me to see a sign suggesting the fences were "alive" instead of "live".

This fence is apparently "alive"!

Eventually, we came to Kings Wood which marked the halfway point for my challenge having gone 12 miles now.

More displays of bluebells

Soon after this, I had to cross the A10 for the first time, and this was an ordeal, taking both our lives in hand.There is absolutely no consideration for walkers when the council splits a path up with a major dual carriageway. I had 2 lanes of cars thundering down at over 70 mph in both directions. You had to take your

chance and spring to the central reservation and repeat it again to get to the other side.

I then came into Standon for the home leg south to Ware.  

Rufus waits patiently

As I walked over the hill in the above shot, my breath was taken away as the vista below opened up.

As I came off Harcamlow Way into Youngsbury I saw this amazing deer structure made of metal in someones garden.

Before entering Thundbridge I came across a scene that could have been lifted direct from a Holman Hunt painting. So cute!

A ruined tiny church

By now, Rufus was thoroughly filthy and ready for a bath!

I had to walk through Thundbridge  which was quite nice. My feet were bloody agony by now, so the hard paved ground underfoot was not welcome.

As I left the village, I knew I had to cross the A10 for the last time. However, at this point, there was absolutely no attempt to even keep the path access open. They simply built up the fences at both sides, but I was absolutely determined I was going to cross. I hoicked Rufus over the fence and climbed over and scrambled up the steep bank to descend down to the dual carriageway. We sprinted over scrambled up the bank on the other side but  there was absolutely no sign of the path on the other side. I could see a broken fence and could see that someone had made it clear you simply cannot block a public path. So we climbed on through and onwards to the final descent to Ware feeling really weary by now.

The end is near as Ware comes into view.

I was quite pleased I managed to arrive in ware at 3.15pm, precisely 8 hours later, and exactly 3 mph as planned. This means, If I can replicate this on the Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge next week, I will have 4 hours to play with to negotiate the mountains in between.

My reward for getting to my destination early was to have to wait ½ hour for Karen in the drizzle of Ware, so I cheered myself up listening to Otis Redding on my iPhone.

Next challenge, next Saturday. The Yorkshire 3 peaks. My aim is to attempt to do these within the 12 hour challenge time so I can prove to all my sponsors I have done this within the required time, so any disasters when I complete the National 3 peaks mean I have achieved this one already.

Watch this space!