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Photos 14th March 2010

This is my 7th time as fearless leader. 11 intrepid people followed me around a route just north of Aldenham in near perfect weather. If you wish to see a map of the planned walk route then please click here.

Before the walk I did have a pub problem, with the planned Round Bush pub being unavailable due to double booking and totally full. However as the weather was so nice, everyone was happy to walk an extra mile and go half a mile past Round Bush to the Three Hammers pub in Letchmore Heath where I had managed to secure the small bar to ourselves.

After a long cold winter spring was in the air today, as the temperature climbed into double figures. The whole walk was dry, and mostly sunny with a pleasant breeze. In the more sheltered spots it felt rather warm. The forecast showers didn't turn up although it did cloud over briefly during the afternoon. The whole walk was mostly mud free as we have had 2 weeks of dry breezy weather which has helped dry out the mud that I found during the test walk a few weeks ago.

The walk from the start point was straight forward. Even going past the sewage works was not unpleasant. The views and the cloudscapes were pleasant overall. I did make a mistake and ended up in Aldenham instead of Round Bush, but a quick left turn soon had us passing the sports ground we should have walked through, and a little while later we reached the Three Hammers for a much needed break. Some decent food there and nice staff even when some food was delayed. After more than an hour we did set off again, doubling back to Round Bush before heading over to the River Colne. Then a long walk North along the Ver-Colne Valley Walk all the way past the Ver-Colne confluence and then back to the car park. A few JWalkers struggled towards the end but I believed they enjoyed themselves anyhow.

Now feel free to enjoy the photos I took below. If anyone else wants to submit pictures then please do send them to me and I will add them and credit you accordingly.

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JWalkers walking along the tracks from Netherwylde Farm to Hill Farm passing horses as we go.			Backlit cloudscape.	Oakridge Lane near Hill Farm.	Aldenham church from the North-Northeast.

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Admiring the cloudscape as we walk along the Hertfordshire Way from Round Bush to Letchmore Heath.	Crocuses in Letchmore Heath.	The Three Hammers pub and main green in Letchmore Heath.			Another Canine JWalker (called Jayjay) relaxing in the pub at lunchtime.

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The Three Hammers pub.	Jayjay.	Aldenham church.	Snowdrops.	Otterspool Lodge and the view over the River Colne.

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Passing a horse and a bridge on the Ver-Colne Valley Walk path.		Jayjay while stopping for a drink.	Crossing the Colne.	Confluence of the Ver from the left into the Colne.	Ford and stepping stones on the Ver.

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Pushing the final leg of the walk alongside the Ver.			A nice wooden sculpture welcomes us back to the car park.