Author: Christine

Traditionally, March is bereft of meets. This is usually due to the weather being poor all around as it is not cold enough for a winter meet and not warm enough to entice the regulars out for a full weekend or inviting for the new. So we like to throw in some walking days out instead at the weekend where we can escape our locale for a day but know we can return home for the rest.

A brief look at what the club got up to!

March 12th – Ashridge and Ivinghoe Beacon

In a fantastic example of team work, Alix organised the walk and due to being unable to lead that day David stepped in to guide us through from Tring station all the way to Ivinghoe Beacon and back again.

It was a lovely day – the weather wasn’t hot (though sunny) but it wasn’t cold either. Perfect walking weather! It must be admitted however, that while everyone was warned that the area could get muddy and did bring appropriate footwear, no one expected how much of it they’d be going through!

They eventually reached Ivinghoe Beacon and then the next journey of the leg began. Thinking it was going well they somehow hurriedly walked straight past the entrance to a pathway through some woods and almost walked the way back to the Beacon.

Spotting the error they think was initially made by trying to interpret location data via GPS on OS maps and comparing it to the navigation map, they found their way out and around. Where there is a route, there is a way! They might have had to cross some fingers and be late for the pub but there you go. Alix and a few others greeted the late comers and everyone dived into their food.

March 26th – Amberley to Arundel

This walking day out had a very different feeling, particularly with next-to-no muddy sections, everyone’s feet hurt a little differently by the end of it! Sarah W organised and led this route and amazingly having arranged for us to have some wonderful blazing sun for most of it too.

The group eventually reached the village of Burpham, and diverted to check out St Mary’s Church. A picturesque Church and well worth the quick stop!

Off they went again, navigating large trees (or small spaces? depends on your height!). The team’s prospective walker Ian was also the tallest so it seemed to be a bit tricky – nonetheless, he made it look easy.

The rest of the walk followed the winding river to Arundel, across some railway tracks (safely crossed) to a beautiful and lively town with a fantastic pub to go visit.

Thank you very much to Alix and David for organising and leading the first social walk, and Sarah W for organising and leading our second for March. This was super appreciated!