The Southern Meet - 2011 Print
Written by Peter Burgess   
Sunday, 23 October 2011

Related links:

The OFC group on Ivinghoe Beacon
'Summit hogging!'
Since at least the OFC web launch on Ivinghoe Beacon in 2007, there has been a call for an 'official' OFC meet well south of 54 degrees north! Thankfully, it was long time OFC member Jill Batchelor who stepped into the breach to fulfill a long called for outing with a great walk starting out from Aldbury in Hertfordshire and taking in Ivinghoe Beacon on the Ridgeway National Trail and an ascent of the Bridgewater Monument.


Bill and Keith chat along The Ridgeway
On The Ridgeway
Having reconnoitered the walk previously with husband Nigel, Jill agreed Saturday 22nd October 2011 for the walk from Aldbury in Hertfordshire.  Unlike their own Lakeland walks with OFC members, today's event was a lovely, ambulatory exploration of part of the Ridgeway National Trail onto Ivinghoe Beacon with a return after a lunch stop, back to Aldbury along Ashridge with an ascent of the 33m/170 steps Bridgewater Monument along the way.  The walk in fantastic autumn sunshine was followed by a lovely meal with fine ales at the Greyhound Inn next to the village pond.  Thanks go to Jill for arranging a fantastic day and for providing the on walk chocolate brownies! After walk festivities were provided by the Greyhound Inn in the centre of the beautiful village of Aldbur, our base for the day.

 

It was great to have that 'fellwalking' feeling on my drive to Aldbury in Hertfordshire despite being so far from Lakeland!  Peter B.


Unexploded bomb!
Lorraine & bomb!
Thanks a lot for everyone who attended, including Lorraine who travelled down from Rochdale and Keith by train from Staffordshire.  I guess he wins the AW 'day prize' for his use of public transport.  It was also lovely to walk with Bill and Sherran and of course Nigel and Jill.  Tracy joined us for the meal later after checking out Whipsnade.  Anyway, it was a great day out with a feeling of true fellwalking spirit, despite being on the lesser hills of the south.

Jill descends back to Aldbury
Jill B - Walk Leader
If your interested in this walk there is a rough sketch map below, but also various links further information on the area in the 'Related links' box above, as well as a wealth of other information on the Internet. 

It was a great day out; a superb walk; lovely warm weather; great company, and all amid beautiful autumnal  colours.  Here's to the next Southern Meet!  Ian H.
A special thanks to Jill for organizing it and for the gorgeous chocolate brownies.  Sherran & Bill
 

 

The Ridgeway National Trail, 87 miles (139km) through ancient landscapes.  Over rolling, open downland to the west of the River Thames, and through secluded valleys and woods in The Chilterns to the east, following the same route used since prehistoric times by travellers, herdsmen and soldiers.

 

Sketch Map
Sketch Map
Route summary:

 Aldbury-across golf course-Pitstone Hill-Ridgeway-Ivinghoe Hills-Beacon-Gallows Hill-Ward's Hurst Farm-Dockey Wood-Ivinghoe Common-Moneybury Hill-Bridgewater Monument-Aldbury. Dist: 9miles, 1000' ascent

Was it really so steep?!
South face of the Eigerhoe Beacon!
Finally this photo by Nigel Batchelor shows how walking in the south, really can be extreme! :


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