The Karwendel Marsch

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For some reason I was persuaded by my good friend Klaus to participate in this event in the beautiful Karwendel mountains – he assured me that should I change my mind it would be easy to sell my place which was true but I am sure that he knew that would not happen once I had committed.

The added incentive was walking in aid of the TVAA for which to date we have raised over £600 with this walk  https://www.tvairambulance.org.uk/

I trained in the wonderful Chiltern Hills which proved to be a suitable training ground. With some trepidation I flew off to Innsbruck and was met by Gillian at the airport – I am always grateful for this as, not being a particularly seasoned traveller, it is a reassuring to see that familiar face on arrival and be shepherded through the bus and train options. from then on I was thoroughly spoiled with wonderful food and staying with Gillian and Klaus whose flat must have one of the best views in the world.

The weather was glorious and Klaus had arranged some nice training walks which the 3 of us could do and reward ourselves with cake!

The day of the challenge dawned – a 4.30am rise and a taxi to the start – still dark and thousands of people making their way there. All very cheerful and getting ready for the off. The runners start first on their 52km journey as the sun was beginning to rise, followed by us and our fellow walkers.

Most were using trekking poles or no poles and so I spent much of my time spotting fellow Nordic Walkers. The poles proved to be a great help.

I was amazed when we came to the first refreshment stop – 10kms in and it felt as though we had just started! The sun rose and it started to become lovely and warm but not yet too hot. I was not chatting nearly as much as usual as most were speaking German and my language skills are not very good.

The views were spectacular – along valleys and over mountain ridges, venturing above the snow line it really was very beautiful and the air so fresh.

Farmers provide all sorts of refreshments along the way – herbal teas, water, cheese and meats, home made biscuits and plenty of fruit – it was such a pleasure not to be carrying everything with you.

The only parts that were less enjoyable were the long descent – 5kms of a mixture of scree running and rock hopping and then the very long bus journey back to the start.

I am so pleased to have participated and look forward to going back to Seefeld next summer. A Foot in the Chilterns Nordic Walkers are once again staying at

Hotel Charlotte https://www.hotel-charlotte.com/

A Foot in the Chilterns in Scotland part 1

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A group of 14 of us went walking in Edinburgh. Most of us stayed on the university campus https://www.edinburghfirst.co.uk/accommodation/salisbury-green-hotel-and-bistro/

which did mean trying to get the hang of buses. The bus service is amazingly good in terms of the locations and frequency but managing tickets was not so easy especially when bus drivers do not always sell you the right one. We were sold Lothian west to go to North Berwick which is clearly east and if the bus driver had good eyesight it did not work very well. After visiting North Berwick and being shown around by my sister we walked at least 8 miles along the coast to Gullane ready to be transported back on the next bus – this driver had good eyesight and refused to take us without further payment. When we sat down he turned off the engine and refused to move so we had to file off and wait for another bus who thankfully was more accommodating. He was a brave man to take on a bunch of middle aged nordic walkers armed with poles.

Day one was unexpectedly glorious sunshine – first walk for those who had arrived was from Blackford Observatory

https://www.roe.ac.uk/

We cheated a bit by driving up to the car park and walking from there. Edinburgh, due to its volcanic origins offers visitors the chance to view North, South East and West from the various hills in the city and surrounding area.

Later in the afternoon we walked over Arthur’s Seat to Duddingstone village, visiting the kirk http://duddingstonkirk.co.uk/history_and_buildings.html and Dr Neil’s garden http://www.drneilsgarden.co.uk/ on the banks of Duddingstone loch https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst7881.html before dinner at the famous Sheeps Heid pub https://www.thesheepheidedinburgh.co.uk/

Choice then was walk back along the old Innocent railway or drive back – those that walked had a lovely evening walk https://www.stuffedinburgh.com/innocent-railway-tunnel-2/

Day 2 – fuelled by a very tasty and indulgent scottish breakfast we set off for the Pentland Hills http://www.pentlandhills.org/ to work some of it off. Some people drove to Harlaw and walked there and the rest of us took the steep option from Swanston https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swanston,_Edinburgh

We parked by the Brasserie and set off up Caerketton Hill from where there were breathtaking views, on to Allermuir and then picked our way down some very steep terrain to return to Swanston for a well earned lunch with the others who had done a walk around Swanston after Harlow.

From there a short drive to the Secret Herb Garden and back for drinks and supper.

 

 

Tylney hall and the chalk streams

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A group of us arranged to visit Tylney Hall Hotel Gardens https://www.tylneyhall.co.uk/and walk near there. It is very different to the Chilterns – flat grassy country with clear chalk streams. We were blessed with magnificent warm spring weather – warm enough to picnic,

Tylney Hall has the most magnificent trees and the gardeners have been restoring the estate to its former glory

Following the tour we had a delicious tea in the Heckfield suite – the hotel has a number of private suites for meetings etc and this was one of them – I suspect they were wary at having walkers in the main hotel drawing room!

Donate a Gate – Turville

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A Foot in the Chilterns Nordic walkers recently donated a gate under the Chiltern Society Donate a gate  scheme. As a walking group we are reminded every day what a privilege it is to have such amazing walking country all around us – the Chilterns really is a wonderful place to walk in all seasons.

There are some things one cannot change about a geographical location – the contours, geology and so on and we are so lucky to have such variety. Steep hills to keep us fit and give us some spectacular views, flat valley walks, riverside, wild flower meadows, and I could go on and on.

I decided to participate in the scheme as a way of giving something extra back and to benefit all walkers in the area. I am reminded daily that some people, for whatever reason, struggle to negotiate stiles, meaning that they are restricted in their choice of where they can walk – the installation of gates in place of stiles makes a huge difference to access to the countryside.

Gates are installed by the path maintenance volunteers who keep our rights of way  in good condition, armies of people working all year round to cut back vegetation, install gates, clear obstructions and I am sure many other things besides.

Travelling to other areas of the country as I do I am constantly reminded that we are lucky to have such a comprehensive network of pathways and bridleways and to have them kept in such good condition. Access for those with mobility challenges is carefully considered and information available to guide people unable to negotiate stiles.

The scheme https://chilternsociety.org.uk/donate-a-gate/ is one of the initiatives that the Society https://chilternsociety.org.uk/has taken to help people enjoy exploring this unique area and is managed by Stuart Gulliman. Stuart was so helpful from first contact, to the gate actually being installed. He manages all the negotiations with landowners, volunteer teams, and all the finer details such as the wording on the plaque, style of gate and keeps you informed all the way along with great efficiency and charm.

We have visited the gate on our group walks in all weathers and even had the ‘blessing of the gate’ by one of our walkers who is a lay preacher.

An added bonus is the gate is located near Turville and we can often visit Turville Heath Barn for refreshments at the top of the hill

http://www.thebarnatturvilleheath.com/

 

 

 

Sunshine in the hambleden valley

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As we set off from Frieth high on the hill above the Hambleden valley we were serenaded by birdsong and hardly anyone around. The walk down to Fingest is sensational with views across to Turville windmill, the village church in Fingest surrounded by typical brick and flint houses and the village pub – quintissential England! https://www.englandthisway.com/places/frieth.php

We are so lucky to have such a beautiful area to walk in, undulating countryside to provide the views and give us exercise up the hills.

From there to Turville Village and along the valley towards Skirmett before climbing back up the hill still in glorious sunshine through the beechwoods – beechnuts crunching under our feet which will be replaced by carpets of bluebells in a few months time.