December 2010 Newsletter

WATTON RAMBLERS

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS December 2010-January 2011

DATE VENUE/DESCRITION LEADER Saturday 4 th Long morning circular walk starting Ray Everett December, and finishing at The Bell, Benington, by 01920 830 317 9.30 start way of Bassus Green, and the Beane Valley through some lovely local countryside. We will meet at the sports pavilion at 9.30 a.m. and travel to Benington by car where we can pre- order lunch at The Bell. The walk distance is just under 6 miles..

Saturday 1 st Beating the Bounds; a walk of about 3 Peter Aknai January 10.30 miles on familiar paths, always within 01920 830 614 (walk starts at easy reach of Watton in case someone 11.00am) wants to return early. Mulled wine and mince pies served in the Community Hall prior to the walk.

Sunday 16 th Long morning circular walk from Watton Julie Rain January 9.30 with pub lunch. 01920 831 068 start

Description of recent walks

STOOP walk leg 3, Saturday 30 th October led by John Woodland Weather conditions were near perfect when 7 walkers led by John Woodland set out on the 3 rd and final leg of the Outer Orbital Path or Stoop Walk for short. As with the previous STOOP walks we followed a linear path which meant that we had to park cars at both ends of the walk. With this in mind we left 2 cars at the 3 Horseshoes at Hooks Cross and later left the remaining cars at Graveley. We then took a series of field paths which eventually led us to the White Lion at Walkern where we had lunch. Here we took full advantage of the Autumn sunshine by enjoying a well earned meal while sitting outside in the garden. We then set off on the second half of our walk following a series well trodden field paths which led us back to Hooks Cross. The total distance covered was 11 miles.

Sunday 21 st November long morning circular walk from Standon led by Linda and Melvyn Cooper

Twelve walkers set off at 10.00am from The Star Pub in Standon High Street. The walk, of approximately 7 miles, would take us around Plashes Farm - Westland Green and back to Standon. We passed the Standon Puddingstone which sits beside a fine oak tree before crossing the ford and taking the route along the riverbank. The Standon Lordship could be seen to our left. After encountering our first muddy field of the day we climbed steadily with fine views back over the Lordship towards Standon across farmland. We walked through Plashes Wood and after our second muddy field to Plashes Farm by a picturesque pond. We carried on along paths and bridleways around fields with beautiful views over the Hertfordshire countryside until we arrived back in Standon. Everyone enjoyed being out and about in such lovely surroundings on a November day (despite the mud)! A group of us stayed for lunch at the Star where Jo Webster, the Landlady, looked after us very well.

Saturday, 27th November 2010 Leg 14 of the Hertfordshire Way led by Linda Thurlow

10 walkers met on a very frosty November morning eagerly looking forward to this final leg of the Hertfordshire Way. Prospects of a bright sunny walk evaporated as we travelled north to Royston watching the riders and their horses on the gallops on Common emerging through the gloom and the mist.

We started this leg from St Nicholas Church, Great , all of us wrapped up warmly against the chill of the day. We travelled northwards across farmland and meadows to reach the village of Anstey. Here we paid a visit to St. George’s church admiring the Norman font and the stunning modern stained glass window to the memory of the USA bomber crews who died flying from nearby Nuthampstead in World War Two.

We continued along the main street of the village where we were joined by two relatives of the group who had decided to walk with us to . We turned towards the woods and through the site of the Second World War Airfield reaching a road by the Woodman pub at Nuthampstead where memorials to the USA 398 th Bomb Group which flew from the airbase in 1943 to 1944 are situated.

Crossing several fields in the mist we managed to navigate our way to Bury End and then on to the village of Barkway. We walked along the main street admiring the many thatched cottages and timber-framed houses passing the pond, which was only just thawing, and on to the Church where we ate our lunch.

As we started our afternoon section from Barkway the mist had lifted and we were rewarded with some bright sunshine albeit it felt colder. We headed west towards the village of Reed and then proceeded northwards again towards Royston, this time being able to enjoy the panoramic views over Cambridgeshire and the Fens. And suddenly we were treated to the magnificent aerial display of a lonely red kite soaring on thermals overhead, its distinct shape silhouetted against the skyline. What a magnificent bird!

Then, after traversing the rolling hills of this part of , we descended into the town of Royston passing through the Priory gardens and past the Priory Church to celebrate the end of the official walk at the site of the Cross in Royston High Street. We then proceeded onto the Heath to reclaim the cars in the descending gloom.

We had walked a total of 11 miles passing some beautiful churches and villages and were all elated by the thought that we had completed the ring and regained our original starting point at Therfield Heath.

In total we had covered just over 169 miles and congratulations are due to all of valiant Ramblers who have taken part in this challenge.

Once again ‘Thank you’ to the leaders of our recent walks

Notices

From Linda Thurlow

After the successful ascent of Ben Nevis some of us felt that we would actually like to try and climb 's highest peak, which is Scafell Pike in the Lake District. We have set a date for this and this will be during the week of Saturday 9th July to Saturday 16th July 2011 . Everyone is invited to join in, even if they do not wish to make the climb we do undertake other walks and generally have a good social time. We will aim to have a meeting sometime in the New Year with those that are interested but it will be the same format as last year, i.e. travel and accommodation arrangements are down to the individual. Hope as many as possible will want to join us.

Linda Thurlow

And another one from Linda Thurlow

Ireland Holiday Tuesday 10th to Saturday 14th May 2011

11 Walkers have booked to go to Cork on the above dates. We have flights with Ryannair for £35.00 plus 15kg luggage at £30 flying out at 06.20. Val, Ray and Antony are flying from Heathrow with Airlingus. Hotel accommodation at Isaacs Hotel in Cork has been booked at approximately £110 per person bed and breakfast for four nights. It is envisaged that we will also book car hire to get us from the airport and out and about on our walks. If you wish to join us please contact me for further information. Everyone welcome.

Linda Thurlow 01920 830389 [email protected]

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About this newsletter

The copy date for this newsletter is the 25 th of the month prior to publication. Please send all walk descriptions, announcements, changes in walk arrangements, changes in contact details, and general news-worthy items to Peter Aknai ([email protected] or phone 01920 830 614). Your comments or suggestions for improvements to this newsletter are also very welcome; please email or phone Peter as above.

Walk leaders please note: If you change any walk details after the copy date, you will need to inform the membership directly.