Walking

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

We were 15 sweat-soaked and tired walkers when we returned to the Swan at Little Totham. Long cold drinks were essential and the pre-ordered food was needed to revive us – and it soon did. With high humidity after overnight rain combined with a high temperature, it was possibly the hottest walk we have done and, although an undemanding walk, was sometimes a struggle especially across one field of rape. Over the previous weekend a farmer had thankfully mown the edge of one field where the footpath ran, clearing it of stinging nettles and long grass. Interestingly, according to Wikipedia, the road and field patterns in this area remain much as they were at the Domesday survey of 1085.

Quiet country roads, distant views of the River Blackwater and of the church standing alone at Beckingham Hall, and large expanses of farmland (we counted 5 different crops), dominated the walk. We passed through the tranquil village of Tolleshunt Major, through three gardens (one, Little Totham Hall dates back to the 12th century which we could only glimpse but saw and heard two peacocks in the grounds). We found some horses to pat (always an attraction!).

We admired period houses with decorative chimneys and paused at All Saints Church, Little Totham. The church is a Grade 1 listed building, has a 12th-century nave and 14th-century chancel and the north door dates from the 11th century and is said to be the oldest recorded church door in the United Kingdom and is nationally important in terms of its ironwork. We had time for a brief look at the interior.

Passing reservoirs, walking along what seemed to be an ancient ‘green lane’ joining Little Totham Hall to the moated Moors Farm, we meandered back to the Swan.

4.6 miles/7.3 kms

Diane Caulkett

After a very busy weekend with a personal wedding celebration and brisk Bank Holiday Monday trade, the Blackwater Bar & Bistro were waiting for us, pen poised and ready, to take our lunch orders prior to our walk.  Unlike their weekend our walk this month was to be a leisurely affair taken a little slower than usual and slightly shorter.

After a headcount, 23 today, we set off west heading into a brisk, warm breeze.  It was a beautiful morning with the sun shining brightly and the river looked glorious.  The first short stretch followed the St Peter’s Way and then we veered off crossing fields beside inland water pools.  Here wildlife flourished with plenty of reed and sedge warblers singing, skylarks rising, holly blue butterflies flitting about, and we had a bonus of seeing three brown hares.  Unfortunately we also saw a sign on a gate saying that hare coursing was illegal, so presumably this is a problem in this area.

The fields here are big and as we walked along the edges of one pushing our way through the long grass, the field on our left was being harvested.  The crop was some kind of fresh, green fodder, which was being transported in trailers to the Dengie Crop Driers.

We had two aims this month, the first, as requested by a member, was that we visit the ‘Petrified Oak Forest’.  These dead trees never fail to impress – except I did overhear one person say, ‘is this what we’ve come here for, just to see some dead trees?’.  When it was explained to her that these weren’t just any ordinary dead trees but were ancient trees mentioned in the Domesday Book she was impressed – the story goes that the trees were due to be chopped down in 1588 to build ships to fight against the Spanish Armada, but the wood was found to be too warped, so they were left to stand.

You can’t visit the oaks without also visiting the nearby delightful church of St Mary, which has been superbly restored by the Friends of Friendless Churches.  It has some interesting architectural features; a weather-boarded timber-framed tower, a 16th-century porch and inside a complete set of 18th-century box pews.

Leaving the church we started on our return back to Maylandsea by way of tracks, footpaths and a stretch on the seawall.

We were back on the dot of 12.30 where the food and drinks were served promptly and enjoyed by all.

4.5 miles/7 kms

Diane Caulkett

NOTE – There are 39 members in the Walking Group and in view of the increased number of those walking each month I am sorry to say that anyone wishing to join the Walking Group will now have to join a waiting list.

The focus of this month’s walk was bluebells.  Why is it that every year people who rarely venture outdoors visit ‘the bluebells’? I don’t know the reason why but when you see swathes of these blue flowers glowing in the dappled sunshine amongst the trees, it is magical – and the rich scent completes the pleasure.  Photographs do not do justice to the scene but no one can resist picturing them.
Leaving the car park we skirted a short stretch of Danbury Common, walked on footpaths through housing estates, gaining local knowledge from the residents as we went and reached the grounds of Riffhams.  Sheep with sturdy lambs grazed the pasture and looking north across the field and ponds we could see the grand house.  With 26 walkers crossing stiles slowed us somewhat; there are only three on this walk and two stand at each end of this field.  The further stile leads out into Hall Wood, a narrow strip of woodland but one that is rich in wildflowers, not only bluebells but also wood anemones, lesser celandines and stitchwort.

The Danbury area is particularly tiring to walk in with its many undulations and having descended across the pasture a short, sharp incline was a reminder of this.  Many paused halfway up to photograph our first sighting of bluebells – or perhaps to catch their breath!

Our third stile led across the lane to the orchards at Great Graces where quite often you can hear nightingales singing, but we were disappointed today.  However, Blakes Wood and its multitudes of bluebells didn’t disappoint and we spent some time admiring them.  The well-trodden paths wind through their midst so we could capture them in different lights.

Above photos taken (on the day) by Diane, Jan, and David

With time running out we hurried on and crossed the ups and downs of Lingwood Common, pausing only for a group photograph before a descent and a climb up ‘cardiac hill’ as nicknamed by some.  It was a spread out group that reached the hill near Danbury Church and the final descent back to the Cricketers pub was most welcome.  21 stayed for lunch so it was a noisy affair.

A wonderful walk – I wonder if these are the best bluebells in the area or should we go elsewhere next year? Perhaps you could let me know your views.

5 miles/8 kms

Diane Caulkett

NOTE – There are 39 members in the Walking Group and in view of the increased number of those walking each month I am sorry to say that anyone wishing to join the Walking Group will have to join a waiting list.