Start - Ashley Green
Finish - Kings Langley
Geocaches - 6
Pubs - The Saracens Head, Kings Langley
Previous Stages - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8, Stage 9, Stage 10, Stage 11, Stage 12, Stage 13, Stage 14
I was fully prepared to repeat the 3.5 miles from Berkhamsted Station, back onto the Countryway until I checked out Des De Moor's blog. He caught a bus.
Google makes it so easy - so with only a 15 minute wait between arrival at the station and the scheduled 354, I chance my arm. There's a quick geocache to pass the time and a confusing sign on the bus stop - which I think is aimed at bus drivers, rather than passengers.
Difference between a Stop and a Stand |
Instant memories of Ashley Green from the last leg, although its not long before I pick up new paths in a South East direction.
They're not the best.
London Countryway needs more footfall |
Bovingdon Green has a collection of pretty cottages, a pub that I'm too early for and an abandoned Vauxhall Astra with a polite notice explaining Buckinghamshire refuge laws plastered on the windscreen.
Bovingdon Green - view from an '05 plate Astra |
Woodman's Woods doing what its says on the tin |
A rare London Countryway Selfie, as the paths improve |
Looks study enough, with a view over a pool |
She ignores me and 10 pleasant enough minutes pass until she looks over at me and starts whisper/shouting "IAN - THEY ARE COMING!".
I'm genuinely freaked and have to ask who is and more importantly, how do you know my name?
Transpires that I am sat between two hiders and Ian is the other side of me. He's much better at hiding.
And who's coming? The Duke of Edinburgh Kids. These are the walk leaders, checking up on them, without their charges noticing.
On with the walk. Out of Chippenham Common, its all fields, a crossing of the A41 and Kings Langley coming into view.
Smile - the Pub is Coming Up |
However, you possibly want to know about the pub situation. There are two in the main street. The Rose and Crown is packed and has a lovely looking beer garden, but contrary to the end, I head to the Saracen's Head on the promise of a better real ale selection.
Its dark, hot and I am the only punter.
No beer garden at the Saracens Head |
A pint of "Side Pocket for a Toad" |
Mrs M has never been to one of my favourite Cities and is coming to see what the fuss is all about.
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