A gorgeous sunny day at last! The wind was occasionally a bit chilly, especially around the reservoirs, but otherwise it felt almost springlike. Plenty of cherry plum blossom, some daffodils, and carolling greenfinches, dunnocks and chaffinches (almost the first of the latter I have heard all year) added to the impression.

9 had got off the train at Tring. Two shot off, but the rest of us were reasonably cohesive in a sort of spread out kind of way. The initial canal section was as pleasing as ever. We saw cormorants by the reservoirs and our front runners witnessed an angler with a huge pike.

Seven of us lunched at the Oak. How nice to be in a normal pub, where one could order straightaway at the bar and not have to wait for cumbersome table service! Everyone eschewed the signature “hanging kebabs” and there was some disappointment about the vegetarian options - not that tasty, apparently. But my steak pie was nice.

Leaving lunch we nearly left one walker behind, but checked ourselves in time. However, he was not seen again. We actually went the wrong way soon after and had to do a detour to get back on the route. Maybe he went the right way? We hope he did not feel slighted.

Paths were mainly dry, with the exception of one evil gloopy section just before this airfield. A mystery this place, with its stern Ministry of Defence ‘Keep Out’ notices guarding nothing more sinister than a few gliders. Then to the canal, where two took the short route into Wendover.

The remaining four of us went over the wooded hill by a somewhat original route. At the top we were appalled by about 100 cars in the car park, the county having seemingly all driven there to have a walk. We bypassed the cafe there to get to Rumsey’s for tea. Three stopped there and we also found our front runners there.

After chocolate cake, my two companions went for the 16.58 train. I made a last minute decision to go up onto Bacombe Hill for the sunset, ending up on the train an hour later. A lovely day and let’s hope lots more are in store in the happy months ahead.

When this walk was last posted several of you reported errors in places with the gpx route. Best I know this remains the case. The main errors are at point 31 - Temporary Diversion - just before the lunch pub, and point 44 - where the gpx route takes you up the road instead of turning right into the woods.

It were hot. It were very hot

8 assembled at the station and set off with yours truly in the lead. Not counting the really fast geezer. After an hour or so, I was cruelly usurped - by everybody. Off we sped along the canal, by the reservoirs, across the fields, past the churches and then, shock horror, through a housing estate built between us and the pub. This didn’t slow us down for long but gave me a few twitchy moments.

People enjoyed what they got in the pub. One person’s lunch could probably have been seen from space and had to be nibbled away at by the others.

And given the heat, what chance was there of me staying off the cider? As much as a wax cat chasing an asbestos mouse through Hell.

After lunch we set off again in the baking heat. As we approached the Wendover Arm, I couldn’t believe my eyes. 6 of our number decided to take the easy route along it. Just because it was a little bit hot. Only 1 went for the proper route over the hill. I was so shocked I had to follow them to verify what I’d just seen (though, of course, I myself would have preferred to go over the top).

The Wendover Arm is much pleasanter than a real canal. More like a very long pond with ducks and plants and stuff. But a bit too long if you ask me. Eventually we staggered into the Leg of Mutton, where more cider was drunk. I hesitate to say how much passed my lips and I’m hoping no-one else can remember.

Harrow & Wealdstone is the boundary zone 6 Station for Tring. You can go to Watford on the Overground using oyster & get the Tring train from there.....

Thank you for rescheduling this gem of a walk.

Held over from last week, this walk was worth the wait. Instead of Storm Dennis, we had breezy sun and cloud , the sun particularly in the morning. The wind was quite strong at times but only really troubling when walking round one of the reservoirs, when it whipped up spray. Apart from one stretch over claggy fields before lunch, when our boots all doubled in size, it was not over muddy.

There was an unusually large crowd for a Euston walk of 21 plus one dog. The morning was particularly cheerful in the sunshine, with the interesting section along the canal, then the reservoirs and several old churches (none of which I actually visited...). Our thanks to M for ringing the pub and booking for ten people: in fact about 14 ate there. Despite the pub being busy, some of the food came incredibly quickly, and portion sizes were indeed as good as advertised.

After lunch at least four took the shorter canal route. The rest of us slugged up the hill, split into Gismo-ists and Wordists, the written directions and the GPX route apparently being different. Going downhill into Wendover was a bit sloppy in places due to wet chalk, but the town itself proved to have gratifying numbers of puddles to wash boots in.

Maybe eight of us squeezed into Rumsey’s in two shifts, the canal faction nicely keeping a table for the hill walkers. The pub contingent tried to hide from us by going to the Red Lion rather than the Shoulder of Mutton, but we tracked them down. The last of us got the 17.56 train, some paying for a return ticket to boundary zone whatever and some not, the latter ending up richer. Who says honesty is rewarded in this world?

A suggestion for the future for this walk: but a zone 1-9 travelcard and a single from Watford High Street (zone eight?) to Tring. Does this work?

It is worth mentioning in Para 30 that as of February 2020 there is still no sign of a way through the extensive Bellway housing development, so the diversion mentioned in Para 31 should continue to be taken

I found two places where the GPS route for this walk is wrong: it takes you along the car road through Wendover Woods, rater than along the path through the woods. It also doesn't include the diversion around the housing development. The group I was with avoided the road and figured out the diversion by looking at the OS map.

1 did turn up for this walk, apparently, despite Storm Dennis

It is 7.4 miles to lunch. Those of a mathematical bent might notice that this means we won’t get to lunch till 2pm. But I just checked and The Oak does do food all afternoon.

Freedom Pass people should get a single from Harrow & Wealdstone. You can also get the overground to Watford Junction for a slightly cheaper fare if you have time to spare.

This route is a fares black hole. As far as I can make out. A Zone 9 day travelcard (for Amersham) does not include Watford Junction as far as mainline trains are concerned, so you would need a single from Harrow & Wealdstone.

Watford Junction is now a tourist destination (for Harry Potter theme park) so having the most complicated fare choices in London makes perfect sense!

Disclaimer: I accept no responsibility for you getting the wrong ticket & have no special skills in this area!

Day it was, oh what a. 16 on this walk on the loveliest February day in the world ever. Sunny and summer hot , with just a delicious hint of cold as we started out. To steal a line from Lake District author AJ Wainwright: “Heaven must be a bit like this.”

There were actually 14 of us on the train up: two (involuntary) late starters joined us later. The early canal section proved as interesting as ever and there were grebes, cherry plum blossom and butterflies to cheer us on our way.

Getting left behind due to contemplation of these natural wonders I decided to skip the second reservoir and do a short cut - with one of the late starters - along a disused section of the Wendover Canal. This was fascinating. First it was a track in a trench, then we came to sections which were being rebuilt, then it had water. Its banks were lined with coltsfoot - not a flower I see often.

After two beautiful churches (at the second of which the many sandwich eaters ate, I later discovered) we two got to the Oak at about 1.30, ahead of the main group. We were allowed to drink in the garden and to wait in the garden for our food to come and the staff came out into the garden to tell us it was ready, but we had to eat the food inside for reasons obscure to me. Portions were vast. The “light lunches” were big: full-sized meals immense. Five of the main group arrived just as our food arrived and we all ate together.

After lunch at least one caught a bus and three opted for the shorter canal route into Wendover. Eight of us headed up into the hills but four of us unwisely trusted the GPS not the walk directions and ended up on a road (the GPX will be amended). We met up with the others at the Cafe in the Woods but only two of us had tea there, the rest standing around and watching. Down in Wendover two went to Rumseys and six to the Shoulder of Mutton. We got the train home from Wendover station, where the deafening roar of the adjacent main road is soon to be “ruined” by the addition of a high speed train line.

Sorry Walker , given the current configuration of oceans and land masses I don't think 20c UK temperatures in February are to be celebrated. Deeply worrying in my view.

I don’t entirely disagree, but some perspective is useful here. The excessive heat was caused by the position of high pressure, which brought air up from Africa. Last year at this time we had a high further north which brought air from Siberia. So in a way this year’s heat and last year’s cold came from the same type of weather. Both were probably due to a weakened jet stream due to Arctic warming, and that is worrying, yes. But interestingly there is evidence from the past that unusually hot and cold Marches (it is almost March) go in pairs: this was true of 2012 and 2013, 1962 and 1963, and 1947 and 1948 apparently. Also the record that was broken was set 100 years ago, so there was a hot February then too.

But yes, I do not want a weirdly early spring and am glad the weather has now turned more typical. Long may it remain so. Still, Wednesday was a lovely day to be out walking.

Going, whatever the weather.

Five on the posted train, one on an earlier train, and one on a later train, so that is 7 on an overcast and humid day , with the sun staying indoors all day, but no rain.

The woodland and meadow flowers were lovely and plentiful along our way, and the morning legs beside water were relaxing, even though we maintained a good walking pace. Young goslings, all bundles of fluff, said hello to us as we went around the reservoirs.

The caretaker of the Wilstone Cemetery kindly gave us a potted history of the resting place on our calling in to view the war graves, with their beautifully maintained Portland stone headstones. Onwards afterwards beside another reservoir, then over a vast field, then All Saints Church Buckland, for a quick peep at their famous tapestry. We reached The Oak in Aston Clinton at 13-45 hrs, for a frosty reception. However, the staff soon warmed to us as we started to spend lots of money, and some of the meals when they arrived were of more-than-generous size, and very tasty. The pub has just re-opened after an extension and an internal refurbishment, and it is now better than ever. Recommended, if you can get a smile out of the bar staff.

Two in our band opted for the Wendover Canal route to Wendover, with five heading uphill into the Woods, tough going for the oldies (me) in the humid air. A brief stop on top for an ice cream or ice lolly at the Wood's Visitor Centre (soon to be rebuilt - there is lots of building work on-going at present, making route following a bit tricky). A slippery descent to the outskirts of Wendover, and most of us were soon re-united (including the Canal walkers ) at the Shoulder of Mutton. Two on the 17-58 hrs, and five on the 18-29 hrs train, for a swift journey back to Marylebone.

A long(ish) walk and a long day, but an most enjoyable one.

Now I might do the Walk on Sunday. But I can't Guarantee I will. Another thing I am just wondering. Although the Train Departs from London Euston. it says Return Trains to London Marylebone. Can you go from London Marylebone as well?

No, Mark, unfortunately not. They are completely different lines, so you have to go out from Euston.

I guess it's from London Euston to Tring. And from Wendover to London Marylebone on the way back.

About 12 on this walk, with one taxiing from Tring to lunch pub. Some drizzle in the afternoon .

As has already been recorded in the comments section of this walk, paragraphs 26 - 27 can't be completed as written because a housing estate is under construction right across the path. Finding a variety of ways round this obstacle took time, leading to late arrival at The Oak in Aston Clinton which not unreasonably had given away the reserved table, but still fed us with efficiency in the bar. Portion sizes were beyond generous, in some cases straying into the vulgar.

Four of us took the canal route into Wendover and spent some time observing a small duck-like creature that could scoot under the water for tens of metres at high speed. One of the signs included a picture of it but frustratingly didn't label it. Others went over the hill.

Tea for some at the Shoulder of Mutton and others at Rumsey's Chocolaterie. Most back on the 1726 train.

On closer inspection, the written instructions do specify the diversion around the housing estate construction. The GPX leads you nose first into the barricades around it.

5 on today's walk on a lovely Spring day, sunny and warm with a pleasant breeze , once again near perfect walking conditions.

We made good progress on the morning leg, with lots of daffodils and primroses to keep us cheerful. We just made the Oak in Aston Clinton in time for last luncheon orders, due to the new Bellway housing development in the village's outskirts blocking the route and requiring some head scratching as we sought an alternative route onwards - now written up. The lunches served were excellent value and tasty - main courses from £ 7.

Suitably refreshed and well satisfied, we started out on the afternoon leg, with three in our group heading for the woods, one took the shortcut along the canal into Wendover, and I lagged behind updating the walk directions. By chance and good fortune all five of us met up on the platform of Wendover railway station, to catch the 17-58 hrs train back to Marylebone.

A thoroughly enjoyable day out in excellent company.

Thank you Marcus for taking on the walk posting for this sub group at such short notice after the problems we've had in not getting posts in good time to make arrangements and book tickets. Whilst the special deal fares are still available please consider the more adventurous walks especially on the coast as there's quite a few of us who like a swim and an early evening supper with wine on the train home! I for one have not been able to do Tisbury for example as its only been posted on Saturday.

Thanks Marion, and I'm looking forward to walking with Wednesday walkers on a more regular basis (hopefully) this autumn.

Unfortunately, South-West Trains' summer deal of £ 16 to most places expires on Friday 09 September - which means rail fares for my planned Botley-Netley posting for September 14th will now cost a bit more. Ditto any posting of the Tisbury walks. As for late summer swim options, I will see what I can find, although the continued shambles that is Southern Rail limits the options available.

Thank you Marcus for volunteering to post on Wednesdays and also thank you to Arthur Dent for all your work walk posting. I know it can be time consuming and your effort is appreciated.

Good luck Marcus don't let the anonymous posters grind you down

...on that note: Marcus in on record for saying that he won't ever reply to anonymous comments...we shall see, he might establish a new trend

An addendum to my response below to Marion: as the weather forecast for this coming Wednesday is very good viz predicted sunshine and 25 degrees C temperatures, my partner in crime for future Wednesday postings, Thomas, will post a "Wednesday Swimmer's Walk" for the swimming contingent amongst mid-week walkers, taking advantage of the SWT rail fare offer for the last time this year. Non-swimmers are welcomed on this coastal walk or the inland Tring to Wendover walk, and I will not be the slightest bit offended if I am the only one on the Tring walk as I will be updating the directions as part of on-going Book 1 walk checking project.

Dear Walkers ,

I would like to thank Mike for his gallant efforts to act as walk poster.

Certainly the task has been a somewhat poisoned chalice. I am grateful to him.

I also welcome Marcus into his new role.

jfk

Also grateful to Mike, knowledgable, charming and a great person to walk with,

as is Marcus.

Just 4 of us (a fifth, seen buying her ticket at Euston, was never seen again). An overcast warm and humid day but this did not spoil our walk, although the conditions made it harder work than usual and quite enervating. We arrived at the Oak pub in Aston Clinton in time for an excellent, inexpensive lunch, promptly served by very friendly staff. What a difference it makes when a pub actually welcomes ones custom !

After lunch we watched the tugs and gliders perform in the airfield nearby before three in a our group opted to follow the Wendover Arms Canal back into Wendover, and home for an early bath, leaving yours truly to ascend Aston Hill up into Wendover Woods. Resisting the temptation to have a go on the zip wire in the Go Ape Centre, I started my descent into Wendover just as the sun broke through - at 4-45 pm. A lovely, sunny evening was to follow -just a shame the sun didn't bless us with an earlier appearance.

A nice day spent in excellent company.