Another Saturday another early start, this time I left the house at 07:30, and the departure station Berkhamsted for the 08:01 to Euston. I would be getting off at Bushes and grabing the 142 bus which as luck would have it passes right by where I finished off the week before. The weather was quite grey and misty but the weatherman said might clear, so I had camera gear with me. The plan was Stanmore to Barnet, but I decided that I might extend to Cockfosters depending how I felt, as it was probably only another three miles.
I got off the train at Bushey with one minute till the 142 left, luckily the bus stop was conveniently just at the station exit. The news this morning was of the death of Fidel Castro the Cuban dictator. The news was full of people with differing opinions, some pointed to the repressive regime with a bad human rights revord, others to the fact that Cuba has a high literacy rate and a world class health system. One story I found fascinating was that after some protests Castro decided that if people wanted to leave they could, so 125,000 left, and the regime smuggled criminals and mentally ill amongst them, that’s one way to deal with a problem! I just think that the world is just a bit more boring with such colourful leaders.
The route goes under m1, then I took a slight detour to look at a laboratory marked on the map, there were no clues as to what it did but it has big and had serious security. The detour route took me round the other side of Aldenham reservoir. Then I had to walk across a field with what I guess was winter wheat planted. A couple of male pheasants ignored me while they sized each other up.
I took the opportunity to take some photos as the sun was just breaking through the mist and the light was very warm. I passed through Elstree and Borehamwood and saw quite a few people with the kippah on so I guess I was in a area with a Jewish community. Next I was on the pavement of a busy road, I noticed a couple of shafts for the Elstree tunnels. There were some big houses being built, even though it was a busy and noisy road. Finally I took a right and left the road for a significant stretch of countryside, Scratchwood open space Thistlewood.
At the end of the wood as I got to the A1, I came across an abandoned looking establishment, Django Lounge, with a soft armchair and coffee table outside so I put my feet up for a while. It was just off the A1 and the path headed south only to get across and then head north. I decided it would be a waste of time so I headed north to a nearer roundabout then went cross country back to the loop. A short cut but who really wants to walk about a mile along side the A1? After all it is my walk and I can make the rules.
My gpx route went through the Old cholmeleian sports club, but it did not look very inviting with keep pit signs and barriers. I threw caution to the wind and carried on anyhow. The drive took me to a shut up club house which I had difficulty negotiating around. The football pitches were in good state of maintenance though so it was clearly used. i eventually found a sign at the far end but I’m still not sure if my route was correct.
Got lost a little bit following a brook on the south edge of Barnet, the footbridge was in the river so jumping skills had to be tested. Once in Barnet itself I spotted a parade of shops, and needing a rest and sustenance I headed off the route
The best offering seemed to be a Costa where I for a toasted feta cheese focaccia, which was nice once it had cooled down. I washed it all down with a coffee and also got a bottle of water for the final few miles to Cockfosters. That’s right I felt that even though I was over 11 miles in, as long as I has a rest I the next stretch would be easily achievable. On the other side of the road was a lady with a massive helium balloon strapped to her.
Next was Hadley with its very big houses, the sun was out with wispy blue skies and sun low again great for photo’s. Monks Hadley Common road marked wa marked as a track, but turned out to be much more than that. Ath the bottom of the valley I came across a serious film crew Arri camera gear, some of it in a big pile by the road unguarded.
On the fnal mile I started to feel I had walked far enough but I was chuffed that that I had manages to walk so far, it is definitely getting easier to walk longer, even if it is by small increments. At Cockfosters the train was waiting to take me to Finsbury park, where I changes to the Victoria line, and on to Euston. I passed through some tube stations I had never before visited, with great names, Arnos Grove, Bounds Green, and Turnpike Lane amongst them.
At Finsbury park a Victoria line train arrives just as I got to the platform. There were announcements about severe delays on the Piccadilly line which o had just got off, things were definitely going my way. At Euston I walked up the escalators which was just as well as when o got to the concourse the departures board said 5 minutes till the 15;34 departed from platform 10. I got on the back of the train because it saves some walking at Berkhamsted. The train arrived on time and once again I stopped at the M&S in Berkhamsted to get a dinner. I was really chuffed at having done 15 miles and come out relatively unscathed compared to previous walls of that distance. I remember doing 17 towards the end of the Thames Path, and being totally knackered and unable to walk the next day.