Tring and the Ridgeway - 8th February

Despite the dreadful national weather situation and that day’s forecast (rain and gusty winds), 13 of us set out from Euston station on the 10.24. We got off at Tring station. Tring itself is a transition town - http://www.tringintransition.org.uk/ - but it has a massive car park for all the commuters heading to London, who can’t walk from their homes to the station due it being located about 2 miles from the town. At the time of building the railway, local landowners objected to it being close to the beautiful Ashridge estate, now managed by the National Trust.

Tring walk JS 140208 100 2323A short walk up the road led us to the start of our walk, picking up on a section of the Ridgeway. Some sources describe the Ridgeway as the oldest road in England, dating back to prehistoric times, used by herdsmen, traders and soldiers. The track led us gradually up, into a section of wood designated as a butterfly nature reserve. The track was easy apart from one massive fallen tree which had to be hopped over. We emerged from the trees onto Pitstone Hill and had a marvellous view of the vale of Aylesbury below. Yes, an excellent view: sun, blue skies and wind to keep it all clear! We walked down across the open grassland and then gradually up again flanking Incombe Hole – a little valley with breaks in the surface revealing the chalk beneath. There was an option to add a couple of miles to the walk by continuing on the Ridgeway to reach Ivinghoe Beacon before returning to the main path. However, several noses sniffed the air and decided rain was on its way, so we skipped that bit and headed into Crawley wood. Tring walk JS 140208 100 2321artThis was the first walk that I had led for EFOG, so I needed a gentle reminder that I was also in charge of decisions about when and where to stop for lunch… As we continued through the wood, past Clipper Down, the rain pelted down but we were largely sheltered by the trees. As the rain eased, the sun came out and created a stunning sight of sunlight glistening in the raindrop laden branches. We walked past the Bridgewater monument, which is open in the warmer months, and headed straight for the Brownlow café for tea and more. The walk then took us downhill and out of the wood into the village of Aldbury, described as the most beautiful village in Hertfordshire. I somehow missed the actual path to the side of the farm, taking us through a very squelchy field, with one young cow bellowing loudly and walking straight towards us. We all made it over the gate to the real path, which could have been better described as a mud pit. However, there was no further rain, and we all made it along and left, back to the station, without anyone inadvertently taking a mudbath.

Jenefer S.. 11th February 2014   Photos by Sue Ullersperger