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Photos 24th February 2008

Today it was my turn to be the fearless leader once again. :D So if you want to see the route we took then all you need to do is click here. We started at the carpark north of Pitstone Hill. We followed the Ridgeway path along the ridge and down through the woods at Aldbury Nowers nature reserve. Then we cut across the valley just South of Aldbury, eventually leaving the Ridgeway path behind. Then the rest of the walk was pretty much in the Ashridge Estate. A brief excursion up onto the common worked up an apetite for a late lunch at the Greyhound Inn in Aldbury. Then after an hour's break in the pub where we ate and let our food go down, we climbed back up all the way to the Bridgewater Monument. From there it was a straight forward walk north through the woods up on the common and then bending round to the West to return to the chalk grassland and back to the carpark.

12 of us were present in total. Everyone except me is in the very first picture. The weather was kind early on, with the sun coming out to play during the early part of the walk on the exposed part of the ridge. It clouded over around lunchtime, and the forecast rain didn't really cause any problems. Only a bit of light drizzle from about 3:30pm. We finished at 4pm, and after that as the rain pepped up we didn't care as we were now back in the cars and going home. So lucky with the weather too. It was mild and I didn't need a coat. Because the weather was dry and most of the walk over chalk, the ground had also dried out nicely, so no significant mud either. The pub was also quite a posh affair, and a really nice atmosphere. So those who didn't come missed a really nice day.

Thanks for the round of applause at the end. I wasn't expecting that. Glad you all enjoyed the walk. Of course the walk wouldn't have been successful without everyone coming in the first place. So thanks for turning up!

Wikipedia links: Aldbury | Ashridge Estate (including Bridgewater Monument)

WalkingUpPitstoneHill.jpg	PitstoneViewNorth.jpg	PitstoneViewSouth.jpg	FollyFarmChalkPit.jpg	PitstoneDescent1.jpg	PitstoneDescent2.jpg
Setting off on the walk, leaving the car park behind. A quick climb over Pitstone Hill to get warmed up.	Ahh the great British outdoors. Looking North (behind us) along the ridge, and South (ahead) from the top of Pitstone Hill.		Carrying on along the ridge, passing a chalk pit and lake down below.	Descending off Pitstone Hill and into the woods at Aldbury Nowers.

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Walking along the woodland paths in Aldbury Nowers.	Aldbury from the Southwest, as we cross the valley from Aldbury Nowers to Brightwood.	Now up on the common, looking down towards Aldbury as a classic car drives by.	A long driveway at Gryme's Dell.	As we start to descend into Aldbury for lunch we get a good view back to Pitstone Hill.	Now descending back down towards Aldbury for lunch.

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Passing other walkers as we descend a steepish slope to Aldbury.	That's the way to go after lunch.	A couple of shots of Aldbury village centre as we head for the pub.		The Greyhound Inn pub where we had lunch.	A warm cosy fireplace.

Aldbury4.jpg	Aldbury5.jpg	Stocks.jpg	AscentToMonument.jpg	BridgewaterMonument.jpg	MonumentBase.jpg
Two more shots of Aldbury village centre as we leave the pub.		JWalkers discussing who has been naughty enough to be put in the ancient stocks and whipping post.	Ascending the hill to the monument.	The Bridgewater monument was built in 1832! There are 170 steps to the top but it is only open in the summer months.

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The tearoom was evry busy. Glad we stopped at the pub!	Setting off north from the monument.	En route we found a downed tree had thrust huge tree roots up. Amy, Mark and Paul posing in front of the roots.	Near Dunscombe Terrace a gap in the trees allowed a lovely view down the valley to Dunscombe Farm

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Despite low light levels causing camera shake I couldn't resist including this image of lots of snowdrops and some daffodils near Clipper Down. Nearby was also a vast carpet of bluebells that will look awesome in a couple of months.	As we break out of the forest the start / finish carpark becomes visible in the distance. Almost finished.	A JWalker taking in one last view before we finish.	Now they tell us! The path to Ivinghoe and a warning sign. Thankfully we all finished in one piece.