Walking

The U3A states that ‘members, through sharing their knowledge, skills and experience, learn from each other’; today we learnt a skill that was unknown to all of us except one. It is particularly useful for those with shorter legs and involves crossing stiles with a high step up. Demonstrated to perfection one sits on the step with their back to the direction of travel, then firstly one pushes their bottom through squeezing under the lowest bar and then doubled up wiggles the body backwards and lastly brings the legs through. No one else adopted this method much preferring the conventional up and over, but it did cause some amusement.

The second thing we learnt was about the ghost of Graces Walk. This walk is a wide stretch of bridleway that leads up to Great Graces, a 16th-century house. The story goes that in the 17th century Lady Alice Mildmay drowned herself, supposedly because of her husband’s cruelty, and is said to haunt Graces Walk from the house to Sandon Brook – the stretch that we walked; (sightings have been recorded and seem to be always when horses are present).

Leaving the Generals Arms, Little Baddow we strode down the lane leading beside the sports ground and later fine houses on our left, and on the right a private school where youngsters played. It is a pleasant series of footpaths that gently descend and leads to a fine view west over Chelmsford. Across pasture, through a farm and across fields of short lucerne we dropped almost to the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation. Instead of continuing on to it we turned sharply and climbed to Little Baddow Church where we had a pause in the warm autumnal sunshine. Opposite the church stands Little Baddow Hall, a fine half-timbered house. Combining the old with the new, a model of a cow, green, black and white in colour stands in the garden. The plums that fruit in the orchards behind the Hall, have now been harvested, A short way on paddocks contained horses and in the far corner of one were several miniature Shetland ponies: tiny, no larger than a Labrador dog.

After the recent rain the ford in Hurrells Lane was deep but a raised walkway saved us from getting wet feet. Opposite the walkway is a water meadow, which we walked beside and shortly came to Graces Walk. After all the descending we now had to pay for that pleasure with the rest of the walk gradually climbing. After a stretch of road we turned onto Lingwood Common and then turned north climbing through Ling Wood, a delightful wood that eventually led to Riffhams, another fine house of red brick.

A little jaunt through another stretch of woodland brought us out onto the sports field and so back to the pub where we were promptly served, our lunches devoured, and the happy band left for home.

Next Walk – Tuesday 23rd October, 10.00 a.m., Prince of Wales at Stow Maries, CM3 6SA (note: although the pub does not open until 10.00 I would appreciate you all being there at that time and ready to order lunch; we can be away as soon as possible).

Diane Caulkett

The turnout of 26 walkers beat our previous record set at the January meeting of 2017 by 5 and with so many waiting to place their food order at the White Elm Tea Room, Bicknacre our start was somewhat delayed; (maybe the time has come to close the group to new members?). Fortunately, this walk did not have any stiles, obstacles or other hazards to slow us and we were able to stick to our intended timing returning to the tearoom just 10 minutes after our predicted ETA of 12.30.

A short stretch along the road was quickly forgotten when we entered a delightful bridleway that ran below a canopy of trees. High up birds sang as though it was spring but with all the chatter I doubt anyone heard them but me. It was a surprise to the group when we suddenly turned off the bridleway and pushed our way through some undergrowth, a detour that avoided an extra kilometre of walking and which would have added 15-minutes to the walk.

At this point we joined the St Peter’s Way heading east and crossed fields of purple flowering Lucerne and cropped fields where the straw had been stacked six bales high resembling high rise buildings, Groups of young pheasants ran helter-skelter across our path trying to avoid us and seemed most reluctant to take flight – bags of food for game birds was an indication of what the future holds for them.

A fallen log at the halfway point was a suitable place to have a brief stop.

Nearing the end of the walk we climbed gently to Thrift Wood where we saw wood ants busy carrying vegetation at their large nests. Being a managed wood, parts had been felled and other parts coppiced. The final stage of the walk was back along the bridleway we had started on but with the sun in a slightly higher position the light made it look quite different, almost magical.

In the Tea Room we had been placed in the ‘quiet room’ – oh dear, I did feel sorry for those who weren’t part of our group.

Diane Caulkett

Next Walk – Tuesday 25th September 10.00 Generals Arms, Little Baddow, CM3 4SE (note that 10.00 is the time I would like to start the walk so please arrive in good time to place food orders, the pub will open at 9.45).

The night before the walk I received an email saying, ‘see you tomorrow’ – with one of the highest temperatures of the year forecast I had throughout the day been receiving messages from those who would not be coming due to the heat, so it was somewhat of a relief to know I would have some company.

I had warned the pub that numbers would be well below those I had indicated – but to my surprise (and the pub’s delight), twelve stalwart walkers gathered at The Bell and two more joined us for lunch; also meeting that day were the Maldon & Dengie Ramblers whom we outnumbered by 3-1.

I had been monitoring the heat and it was to be 24° at the start of our walk rising to its highest by the time we would be enjoying our lunch, in air-conditioned comfort, and that proved to be the case. Food ordered, water bottles filled and hats on we left the pub and climbed steadily in a north-west direction. Although climbing was warm we did have a breeze that helped keep us cool. Everywhere was parched and the fields where the crops had been harvested revealed the ground cracking into five-sided shapes.

Crossing paddocks, where we had frequently to open and close gates and detach and reattach fences, we came to a high point of 76-metres where communication aerials stand (or lie, as some had fallen down). We crossed a stile and strolled along a quiet country lane admiring the many fine houses and gardens. Shortly we came to a footpath that turned north and we had a blissful section in the shade, which we made the most of. This path emerged onto an open field and we looked across the valley to Hatfield Peverel and beyond and then descended to a road and another footpath that led us to Retreat Farm, an Holistic Living Centre – that, so their website says, promotes a ‘Strong Body and a Still Mind’. There are a myriad of treatments to be had and classes for Chi Kung, Tai chi, Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation, and other such things. Attached to it is a small campsite. Stabled horses eyed us as we passed through the farmyard and, leaving the yard, we turned the corner passing a Shepherd’s Hut in the process of being renovated.

The hottest part of our walk followed as we crossed open fields with little shade. Purple flowering lucerne was a welcome contrast to the blanched crops and grass. Along a track we climbed once more and reached Ravens Farm, a superb example of a 15th/16th century Grade 2 listed timber-framed farmhouse, and admired its decorative chimneys – I read later that the house had changed its name from Ivy Chimneys. Opposite is a spring (marked on the map) but of no benefit to us as it has been capped, presumably by the water authority.

A delightful wooden gate led onto the next footpath that took us close to Hoe Mill but we turned away here to follow another path leading to a road that led us to another mill, Blue Mill. Although we had taken every opportunity to pause in the shade and hydrate it was with some relief when we reached the coolness of The Wilderness, a narrow strip of woodland with a gently flowing brook running through, and which led us back to the pub.

Diane Caulkett

Our Group Leader, Diane Caulkett took a well-earned vacation, which meant that she was unable to lead the June walk. However, she set what was intended to be a relatively short and simple route for the group, to be led by the undersigned.

The Group met at Burnham railway station, to be joined by two new members to the group, and boarded the 1020 train to Althorne. From there 15 of us walked down the lane to Bridgemarsh marina, where a helpful yachtsman pointed us in the right direction along the seawall.

As everyone will recall, summer had already arrived and we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day. We all agreed that the shorter walk alongside the river Crouch, facing a cooling easterly breeze was a good choice on such a hot day.

Having not had rain during these last few weeks, the ground was dry (no muddy boots to clean). The terrain was flat and easy along the seawall, with only a gentle climb up above Creeksea Cliffs to take in the view of the Crouch and beyond.

Apart from a few swans, geese and ducks, we did not see a lot of bird life, but we did see some people cooling off in the river at Creeksea. We also passed a few other walkers coming in the opposite direction

Ten of us ended our walk back to Burnham with a very good lunch at The Oyster Smack.

Jan van der Schans

18 of us met in the car park of the Star pub at Steeple peering up at the sky wondering what the day’s weather would bring; most wore or carried waterproofs fearing the worst.  However, the day was very kind to us and as the walk progressed the sun came out and the waterproofs were put away.

This walk was one from www.essexwalks.com which is a very useful website – it was one of their short walks, 4.5 miles.  The walk took us a little way along the main road to a well-hidden footpath sign next to the Rising Sun pub (now defunct?). From there we walked through a delightful wooded path which then opened out into pasture land.  When Lesley and I first walked it the path was easily visible but within the month it had become overgrown.  Nevertheless, it was adequately signposted and we made our away along field edges accompanied by quite a variety of birdsong.  A slight turn to the right brought us to the riverbank.  We had to cross a bridge which had a sort of a stile at the end of it which was a bit of a challenge for those of shorter stature!

Unfortunately the tide was well down but as the day was clear we had excellent views across the river to Osea Island and beyond.  We continued east along the coastal path enjoying the pleasure of the Essex countryside on such a lovely spring day.  As we turned inland along Mayland Creek we passed the edge of Steeple Caravan Park – how thoughtful of them to provide us with benches to sit on!

This was usefully at the mid-point of the walk and we paused for a short break and watched the world go by!  We then continued along the creek as it wound its way back towards Steeple village. We were treated to some magnificent displays of May blossom ranging in colour from white through to pink.

Overall the signposting of the path was very good but where it was supposed to leave the river bank and cut across the fields back to Steeple along the St.Peter’s Way the fingerpost was no longer there to be seen. The walk instructions say to go over a dilapidated wooden stile but there is not one of those either.  Fortunately when we initially walked along the path we had worked out where we needed to go and found an indistinct path that leads at an angle from the river and across several fields.  This eventually led through the farmyard at Hall Farm and out onto Canney Road that joined up with the main road back to the pub.

Before reaching the pub we passed the pretty church of St Lawrence and All Saints. We were back by 12.10 and pleased to sit down to a pleasant lunch at the Star.

Sue Bridgman

Compared to last month’s the mud we encountered is hardly worth mentioning, but a few deep patches caused concern to some and slowed the pace, as did the six stiles we later had to cross.  This undulating and strenuous walk is a favourite at springtime and the bluebells, wood anemones, lesser celandines and other wildflowers did not disappoint.

Leaving the Cricketers Arms we climbed to Danbury Church, took footpaths that led to the A414, which we crossed, followed it a short way downhill and then descended to the fringes of Lingwood Common.  On its outskirts we followed a delightful path that ran beside a stream and weaved its way west. Here we caught our first glimpses of bluebells growing amongst the trees.  Although we had to walk along Riffhams Lane for 5-minutes it was no hardship as this too is attractive in the spring and the several dead, giant, gnarled oak trunks are worth seeing.  The next footpath took us across parkland belonging to Riffhams, where sheep and lambs wandered and on the ridge beyond stands the house in its landscaped gardens; in the grounds two stunning trees with pink blossoms gave a burst of colour to the dominant greenery elsewhere.

A series of paths through woods, beside fields, and across a field of horses and foals led us to Belle Vue, a house which as its name suggests stands on a high point.  From here we descended into Blakes Wood where the bluebells were stunning. Caught at the right moment, as we did, the bluebells here never fail to impress; neither words nor photographs can sufficiently portray the scene of swathes and swathes of them amongst the trees glowing in the speckled sunlight.

Tracks meander willy-nilly through this wood and I have to confess I did take one wrong turn and we had to backtrack a short way; unfortunately it was uphill and the only excuse I can think of is that the cheerful chatter of the group distracted me!! As you can imagine there were some disgruntled ‘comments’ from the group, However, it was only a slight blip and poor Tim having worked his way from the back of the group to the front found that when I turned around, he ended up at the back again.

The last bluebells of the day were in the gardens of the White House that we walked alongside for a short while.  Then we entered Lingwood Common once more, but this time higher up where the path undulates before dipping down to a stream and the final long climb back to the church.

The final descent from the church back to the pub is always a relief.  We were served our food quickly and silence fell as we tucked in but it very soon reverted to the usual noisy, bubbling chatter.

Diane Caulkett