Author Topic: TR - beer and cricket  (Read 775 times)

Ridge

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9691
TR - beer and cricket
« on: 09:42:59, 12/07/20 »
For those who know the area, or want to open a map, the route was;
Sandridge, Hertwood Forest, Eight Acre Wood, Ayers End, Normansland Common, Wheathampstead, Coleman Green, Brocket Hall Woods, Brocket Hall, Cromer Hyde, Symondshyde Great Wood, Capps Cottage, Nashe's Farm, Sandridge.


For those who don't, or don't;
A circular walk of just over 13 miles to the north of St. Albans, Hertfordshire.


A later start than usual, as I had stayed at home to help put the Tesco delivery away, so a shorter walk than of late.


Perfect walking weather some cloud, some sun and never any danger of rain.


When a path is marked on the OS map as 'Mud Lane' it shouldn't come as a surprise if it is like this.



Normandsland Common was full of families with children riding bikes, swinging on rope swings, making dens and falling out of trees. It was lovely to see. The common has many dips and holes which are where clay was dug for brick making but now make a natural adventure playground.



On the first day of the village cricket season I sat and watched a bit of the game. The thwack of willow on leather, the soaring arc of the ball as it flies through the air for 6. The shouts of 'Oh, [censored]' as the ball disappears  in to the woods and everyone goes and digs about in the brambles for 5 minutes to try and find it.



Perusing my map while sat by the cricket pitch I realised that, instead of heading in to Wheathampstead to walk by the river, I could divert to Coleman Green.
Coleman Green has about 3 houses, the chimney of a cottage where author and non-conformist preacher John Bunyan stayed...



...and this, The John Bunyan. One of the nicest, friendliest, unpretentious pubs in the world.



First pub pint since March. A nice, refreshing IPA in a poncy glass.



Heading in to Brocket Hall Woods I noticed that the small pull in carpark was closed with huge lumps of concrete blocking the entrances. Stepping in to the wood I discovered why, a section of fence had been pushed over and a huge amount of rubbish fly-tipped.



I normally hate golf courses for the way they obliterate both footpaths and also the countryside by turning it in to lawn.
The courses at Brocket Hall are better than most with clearly marked paths which don't cross fairways or, as I had recently, the driving range. There are also large areas of more natural heath and woodland.





At Symondshyde Wood a felled tree blocked the entry in to the woods and, having negotiated this, forestry work had churned up the path a bit.



Many of my local/Hertfordshire/Chilterns walks are paths through fields or paths through wood and I never used to take any pictures or write reports as they are all quite samey.







I think I may start to slip back to less pictures as we can all start to get out to more exciting areas.

pdstsp

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3826
Re: TR - beer and cricket
« Reply #1 on: 11:41:33, 12/07/20 »
Don't do that Ridge I enjoy your TRs - they are always interesting.  The countryside may not be full on mountains but it is very English (obviously) and with some interesting history.  Keep them coming I say.

Ridge

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9691
Re: TR - beer and cricket
« Reply #2 on: 12:51:18, 12/07/20 »
Thanks pdstsp for the kind comment. I will try to cut down on the number of photos which are the same as other reports.

karl h

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2350
Re: TR - beer and cricket
« Reply #3 on: 17:01:03, 12/07/20 »
Lovely pics Ridge O0
I too like looking at the countryside around other WF folk, it reminds me what a beautiful and varied little island we live on.


April

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9687
Re: TR - beer and cricket
« Reply #4 on: 18:26:27, 12/07/20 »
Nice pics Ridge  O0 I too like looking at all the places people walk in, variety is the spice of life  :)
Hate will never win

Mel

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10936
Re: TR - beer and cricket
« Reply #5 on: 19:35:40, 12/07/20 »
Agree with all of the above.  I've really enjoyed reading everyone's "lockdown" walk reports and hope it (the variety) continues  O0




Ridge

  • Veteran Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9691
Re: TR - beer and cricket
« Reply #6 on: 19:51:12, 12/07/20 »
Thanks everyone.

 

Terms of Use     Privacy Policy