WINTER WALK

Sunday 11th February 2024

 

 

Or should it be titled EACC Winter Wade?

 

We should have realised on our first recci, when the footpaths were a tad wet and muddy that we might not be able to talk the walk around Alderfen as planned, but the ‘glass half full’ positive attitude let us continue to plan for a walk around Alderfen.

 

Several repeat visits in various weather conditions saw us come up with a walk of 3.5miles with an extension of another 2 miles for the full walk. These routes included Alderfen and some really lovely footpaths, but as a standby we had a road route planned along Irstead Street. Three days before the walk the rain came back, and flooded not only the footpaths but also much of Irstead Street (part of the standby road sections).

 

 So the ‘standby standby routes’ (which as some will know included some flooded sections of road) were published. (see map)

 

On the day the rain held off and, in true EACC spirit, everybody embraced the final routes and enjoyed a good social walk, even if it did not include Alderfen!

 

 

CJ led the shorter route (red route on map) which include a stop at Irstead Staithe for coffee, cake, and sausage rolls. This route included an option of the Barton Board Walk for those who wished.

 

  

 

 

 

I led the brave wading group (blue route on map) on the trip up and round Brown Hill and Neastishead Hall. (There were questions as to if we were on part of the navigation channel, and did we require a toll for some of the flooded sections of road undertaken). 

 

 

Only one person slipped, tested the depth of the water and the muddiestness of the mud, but bravely carried on. The dogs had a wonderful time and seemed to cover many times the distance of those on two legs.

 

We had a ‘coffee stop’ on Brown Hill, but with no coffee (my flask went on the other walk, and some left their coffee in the car!). The sausage rolls that CJ had issued to me seemed to be popular, making my back pack a little lighter for the remainder of the walk. 

 

 

Gaby at the White Horse had done a sterling job keeping up with the ever-changing EACC head count, and the staff provided a lovely filling roast meal, so filling I noted that only one person managed to order a sweet! 

 

Thank you all for turning out for this event.

 

Perhaps later in the season, during better weather we can arrange a walk around Alderfen?

 

Jimmy James

 

Thanks to all who provided photos including Jimmy and Carolyn James, Roger Everett and Jane Stevens