Surprisingly, only 4 for this pleasant walk. A hint of drizzle at the start but that had disappeared by the time we set off. So a dry cloudy day sunny later

Pleasant, that is, after an early stretch of builders yards and maybe a motorway or two. The ‘marshy’ bit was dried out and cracked and, apart from the occasional predatory bramble or briar (ow) lurking in the goats rue, was easily traversed. The encroaching vegetation was wet, though, and our trousers got an unscheduled wash.

Two stopped at the Doghouse (formerly the Moletrap) which was as pleasant as before. The other two sped on, one eager to watch England, the other just eager. We came across one later, dozing in the grass. He promptly leapt up and continued with us as far as North Weald where he got a heritage bus back to wherever. There was vintage trains chuffing about and we stopped to watch a Thomas-esque engine leave the station.

The new ending was fine though I was slightly disappointed not to be going past the Theydon Oak, of which I have fond memories (possibly tinged by last year’s cider and beer festival).

The Gernon Bushes was a pleasant enough alternative.

Another grand day out.

There were at least two groups on today’s commemorative walk and, though there were about 16 of us at the station, some SWCers left earlier with the ramblers group. This made counting difficult but, using the formula “fingers, toes, add one”, I reckon we were about 21 all in (not including the sizeable Ramblers group). The groups walked separately but, inevitably, there was some fraternisation.

A pleasant walk on a hot sunny day. through marshland, ancient woodland and fields, with buttercups, cow parley, resplendent hawthorn, the works. Ground firm underneath (though in a wet season, this would have been different).

It was important to pay more attention to the GPS than the sparse guidance notes, which don’t document every twist and turn, (of which there were plenty). Mr Tiger might well have succumbed to the L-word had he not been in the company of others.

The main lunch stop, the Mole Trap was fine.

Some sat by the village pond and ate sandwiches. There was a second lunch stop at North Weald where some visited the cafe and others just sat and watched vintage trains and buses come and go.

After the lunches, some took the detour into GreenAcres to pay their respects. More fields and woods followed until the Theydon Oak was reached.

Mr Tiger had hoped for a quiet end to the day, maybe a sip or two of something restorative. Imagine his disappointment when he discovered a beer and cider festival in full swing. It was felt necessary to sample several beverages. Slack ma Girdle, Gladiator, were delicately quaffed. just modest halfs, you understand. The most alarming was a ‘scrumpy’ that could have passed for vegan chicken soup. It tasted of apples so he drank that as well.

Having thanked Mike for this new walk with other contributors Mike said

‘ I just designed the route to be a annual memorial walk for Stephen aka Bridie for walkers who knew him in SWC and my North East London Ramblers Group. However, it turns out that 21 turned up from SWC, 25 from my NELR ramblers group. There were your mates in that count too. Open toed sandals - cool! Anyhow because there's been lots of positive feedback, I'm writing full instructions for the route which I'll drop onto the SWC website when complete. Like Hever to Cowden, it's a summer walk and will be a mud fest in the rainy winter months. Thanks for feedback.’Mike

West Essex ramblers also fielded another 20 or so walkers. No mud- going was easy enough and a choice of pubs plus the steam train cafe. What’s not to like.

There's a few photographs from this walk at https://www.flickr.com/photos/181765680%40N08/albums/72177720308673797

Happy to add others you might like to offer

Lovely pics Mike