Walking

Our first walk for 2020 was from a new dining location, Bunsay Downs Golf Club, and partially, a new stretch of footpaths.  It was a walk that brought its challenges in various ways.

I had warned of mud well before the previous day’s rain and was surprised to find so many walkers prepared to splosh through the puddles and mud ahead.

We were counted out, 27 of us, and set off up the road climbing steadily – I felt like the Duke of York with this number behind me and sure enough, like him, I led them to the top of the hill and marched them down again.  Our first stile of the day marked the top of this hill and has a fairly high step.  Mo quite often finds stiles challenging but with pulls and pushes we got her halfway over when, with such perfect timing, the property owner appeared and suggested we walk through her gate instead, which we did; this caused some hilarity – Mo joined in our laughter.

A series of paddocks led us down to a road.  At that point our intended walk was to have continued down through fields to a footpath running close to the canal, but when I walked it a week before I decided the mud was too deep, and so instead we took another route along a stretch of country lane.  It was a pleasant stretch with fine houses and no traffic.  Then we turned to descend on a track to the point where our original walk would have joined it.  It was at the bottom of the track we realised a section of the group was missing.  Fearing there may be a problem and leaving the majority of the group stranded in a field it was back up the hill to locate the absent group – no disaster, – they hadn’t seen us turn off!!!.  One group member returned to the waiting majority and led them on whilst I took the ‘missing party’ on a shorter route and we regrouped a short while later.

We were not amused!

Over a stile and through a muddy wood, some fields and more woodland that undulated and twisted we eventually reached a house where the footpath went over their front garden.  A quick headcount – we were not 27, so back along the track to find the others (more or less the exact same group) who were some way back – this time they had sensibly stopped for a minor medical reason.

Reaching a road, it was suggested that those ‘struggling’ should return via the road and the rest stride on through more fields and woods, mud and undulations.

We all arrived back at more or less the same time and as luck would have it only about 10-minutes later than planned.

Diane Caulkett

Sunshine – In the November 2019 issue of the U3A Magazine Jill wrote an informed article about the lectures she had listened to at the Royal Institution arranged for the U3A – one of the subjects was ‘Sunshine’. When natural sunlight hits the skin it triggers the body’s production of vitamin D and so gets its name, “the sunshine vitamin.” This vitamin is a crucial ingredient for overall health and it is advised to get at least 10-15 minutes of sunlight daily. Among the many benefits, including aiding depression and boosting the immune system, adding a little sunshine to your life can even promote weight loss. The message is clear – even (or especially) in the depths of winter, wrap up warm and get outside – and this is what 14 members of the Walking Group did on the Monday between Christmas and New Year. Not only was it good to meet and chat again but the added bonus was an abundance of ‘sunshine’.

It was a local walk starting from the clock tower and heading east through the fields of Wick Farm. It is always a pleasure to walk through this farm as not only is it well maintained, but also birdlife is encouraged and abounds. Those of us interested were delighted to see large flocks of smaller birds feasting on the seeds and other larger birds picking berries from the bushes as well as raptors, geese and other water birds. We later met the farm owner, a very keen bird watcher, who had just witnessed a peregrine falcon dive down and take a Dunlin.

Being a leisurely walk, with no hills and no chance of losing anyone, there was plenty of time to chat to all the group members and with the sunshine all were in a good mood and pleased to be out stretching their legs after their recent celebrations.

We passed the solar panels, which have blended into the countryside really well. Around the farm are informative panels and the one about the solar panels informs us that in 2018 it provided enough electricity for half of the households in Burnham for a year (around 1900 at that time!).

We returned to Burnham along the seawall and those with cameras were kept occupied taking photos of the sunlit scene.
We ended our walk in the Bistro on the Quay (formerly Quayside) and although we hadn’t pre-ordered our food it was served in good time and enthusiastically devoured. The sunshine had obviously worked its charm as the good mood continued but even if it did help with weight loss the good work was soon undone.

Next Walk: Tuesday 28th January Meet for 10.00 at Bunsay Downs Golf Club, Woodham Walter CM9 6RU

Diane Caulkett

Having got permission to park in their car park this walk started from St Bartholomew’s Church, Wickham Bishops. It was a large group of 21 walkers that set off on this fine morning firstly along a quiet country lane and then through footpaths and woodland to a golf course. The golfers waited for us patiently as we walked past and we exchanged pleasantries with them. The route through the golf course follows beside a narrow stretch of the River Blackwater where water birds hid amongst the vegetation.

Leaving the golf course we crossed under a bridge, a scheduled ancient monument that formerly carried the Maldon to Witham Railway Line that operated from 1846 to 1964. This bridge is a rare example of a wooden trestle viaduct, is of national importance, and apparently it is the last surviving example of this type of structure within England.

A short distance away in a bend of the River Blackwater is the site of the original village, Wickham, which was situated close to mills (now gone) and of which the remote St Peter’s Church was an important part of the community. Built in the 11th century the church is now redundant as a church and is cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches; in 1977 it won an award for its restoration. We were able to look at the exterior but the door was padlocked.

We passed many fine period houses and also new builds of immense proportions. Orchards used to extend widely in this area but today few remain but we did pass through a small remaining patch of old gnarled trees.

Nearing the last section of the walk we dropped down on a footpath that circuited pasture. It then led uphill through private woodland where recently fallen leaves littered the ground and with satisfaction we could shuffle through kicking the leaves aside in childish fashion. As we neared the end of the walk drizzle started to fall and soon turned to rain – how lucky we were to end this delightful walk with a good lunch in the Green Man, Little Braxted where fires burning in the lounges welcomed us.

Diane Caulkett

What a change from last month – the sun shone, it was warm and calm and this month there were 16 happy faces to greet me.  There was a slight delay at the pub but eventually we were on our way.

After a short road stretch we turned onto fields passing allotments where fascinating round raised beds were one of the charms of this well-tended facility.  The fields were empty of people and it was glorious striding along the grassy paths, a slight mist hanging in the distance and the sounds of chatter from the group.  We soon reached farm fields where sheep grazed and the nearby lakes, with their placid water, looked at their best in the morning light; the intermittent noise of ducks and other water birds drifted across to us.  We had to watch our step on this section as the rabbits and badgers had been active and this hazard was compounded by loose wire from a fallen fence.

After the recent rain we thought the fields would be horrendously muddy but we were pleasantly surprised how well the ground had drained.

Eventually we came down into Ulting (location of the first sugar beet factory in England!), and having made good time were able to detour to look at the canal-side church.  This church, All Saints, has been standing since 1150 and had a major restoration in the 1870s.  According to Wikipedia it was once a place of pilgrimage ranking with Walsingham and other famous shrines.

Having descended throughout the morning we were now taking the gentle ascent back to Hatfield Peverel.  Our route followed the River Ter that wound its way gradually north.  Huge willows lined the banks and the river created a ford on the lane leading from Nounsley.  A lively spaniel raced to the water, splashed around, ran back to its owner and then came back again to do the same.

Almost back at the Wheatsheaf we (well, most of us, some weren’t keeping an eye out and missed the turnoff) passed by the site of a priory founded by the Saxon Ingelrica (reputed to be the mistress of William the Conqueror).  The standing Parish Church of St Andrew that we also passed is said to be the surviving fragment of the Norman priory church nave.

We arrived back at the pub just a few minutes late but before we had finished ordering drinks the delicious food was arriving.  Accolades from the group about the quality of the food were numerous (‘the best meal we have had as a walking group’, ‘best fish and chips ever’, ‘best liver and bacon’ – only Bob seemed disappointed and said his pie wasn’t as good as those that Viv cooks (maximum ‘brownie’ points, Bob) – and we weren’t going to contradict him).

5.35 miles/9kms

Diane Caulkett

When I left Burnham bound for Hatfield Peverel the rain was falling heavily and I wondered if I would be the only person on the walk today.  I reflected too that it was a good opportunity to see if my waterproofs still did their job.  Unfortunately that morning I had received messages from 11 of the group members saying they would not be coming due to ‘the conditions’ (no doubt partly caused by the ‘fear of God’ and amber warnings put in place by the meteorological office).  Having previously had apologises from around 10 people, for either injury or holidaying, I struggled to think who there was left and more to the point, would they come?  What a relief to find six happy faces in the car park and although seven walkers didn’t quite come up to the 15-20 I had told the pub to expect, it was as good a turnout as could be expected.

Whilst contemplating booting up the skies brightened and we managed to keep ourselves dry all morning.  Having had a good watering over the last few wet days, the pumpkins in the Hatfield Peverel allotment had increased in size and everything looked fresh and green.  We bounced along relating tales of barbecues under rain sodden canopies where only the cook remained outside and the rest of the party watching proceedings from inside – everyone had a barbecue tale to tell.  There was a lot of conversation about cars, the delight of hot cinnamon rolls, café lattes and cappuccinos with sprinkles that stuck to your lipstick, and also the benefits of an infra-red sauna – apparently these have to be small in size so ideas were swopped about how to get more people in one (could be fun!).

With all this chatter we stumbled through an area filled with rabbit warrens and were intrigued by the way the rabbits scurried furiously back to their warren at the sight of us.  Crossing large fields we remarked on the clouds and the forms they made in the now partially blue sky giving them appropriate names, Boris and Donald come to mind.  We hadn’t noticed that we were gently descending until we came to the canal and a near naked canoeist passed close to us giving us a canoeist wave with his paddle.

The gentle uphill section followed close to a small river and we marvelled at the kingfishers swooping along the water course.  We ended the day dry and our boots clean and remained quite fresh after our morning’s activities.

It was a unanimous decision that we would meet at the same place for October’s walk and that we would all turn up whatever the weather even if there was deep snow (but no deeper than 4’11” unless a shovel was brought along).

Diane Caulkett

Isn’t fiction amazing? You can invent whatever you like (although some of this is true).  In reality we decided not to walk, apologised to the pub and went for a coffee!!

After a busy weekend with brisk Bank Holiday Monday trade the landlord and staff at The Anchor, Danbury were waiting for us, pen poised and ready to take our lunch orders prior to our walk.  The pub looked glorious in the bright sunshine with its containers and hanging baskets full of brilliantly colourful plants.  The sixteen of us were prepared with hats, water, wet flannels and change of shirts as this was forecast to be a very hot day with a high of 33 degrees in Danbury by mid-afternoon.  We were to finish our walk two hours before this with a cooler 5 degrees below that.  Four walkers were going to do a shortened walk.  Needless to say there were some members who chose not to walk in this heat and others who couldn’t make it this month so I was pleased with the turnout as last month, with equally high temperatures, the walk was abandoned and the pub had lost our trade that day and it is our first visit there.

We made our way from the pub via quiet roads through Twitty Fee to a wood named Poors’ Piece on the map.   A wide track takes us through this spaciously planted wood where small balsam grows plentifully and still retains some of its tiny yellow flowers.  Branching off on a meandering, smaller track where earth balls flourished, we weaved our way through various other woods including the delightfully named Pheasanthouse Wood.  At one point we crossed on a wooden boardwalk what would otherwise have been a wet patch. We walked a stretch where giant ant mounds stood at frequent intervals and watched the ants as they scurried to and ‘fro.  The Exmoor ponies had been brought in to graze the Essex Wildlife Trust section of the Woodham Walter Common but the notices asked that visitors refrain from feeding or patting the wild ponies so we had our picture taken with them instead.

Before the halfway point the four, who wanted a shorter walk, left us.  They were confident they wouldn’t get lost because at every turn we had made directional arrows, pointers had been placed and landmarks pointed out (and hopefully remembered).  With a compass set that would take them to the exit of the wood, they couldn’t fail to find their way back – and thankfully they didn’t; having taken advantage of frequent rests they arrived back only 10 minutes before us.

Leaving the Common and walking up Common Lane with the Bunsay Downs Golf Course to the left and right, we joined a quiet road and passed the golf clubhouse.  Just past there a track leads to a pumping station and a footpath beside it drops down into a dip which, judging by the quantity of water mint growing there, could be quite damp at times.  Brambles laden with sweet blackberries grew in abundance and straggly branches were beaten back with a stick but low growing stinging nettles remained an aggravation.  But it was a short stretch and we were soon on the Warren Golf Course and far outnumbered the golfers that were visible to us.  We gave way to three golfers who were teeing off and crossed uneventfully.

Walking two sides of a large grass field was refreshing as for the first time this walk we gained a breeze.  Then we went through immature woodland of mixed trees, via Twitty Fee and back to the pub.

We were very hot, red-faced and tired and cold drinks were much appreciated, as was the food that was served promptly.

5 miles/8 kms

Diane Caulkett