#WeekendCoffeeShare: A Misadventure
If we were having coffee i'd confess I didn't expect to see you again so soon. Today's post was going to be all about a country walk i'd taken today, prompted by some books my sister-in-law got me for my birthday. Unfortunately I got lost. I'd tell you the day started well with glorious sunshine, a clear blue sky, and the local blossom trees all in bloom. I set out to walk to the start of the walk mentioned in the guide, some 5 miles from our house, heading up the hill to Whetstone where I got some water and a pepper and haloumi ciabatta for breakfast. Turning away from the station and following the train tracks it wasn't long before I was flanked on either side of the road by open fields. I saw some horses and arrived at Mill Hill East feeling good.
The guide didn't mention there would be a bit of a muddy start as I stepped over the first style but this didn't dampen my spirits any. I'd demonstrate to you how I hung off the edge of a wooden fence, fearing at any moment that it would snap and i'd land on my backside in the mud though.
I'd recount how I crossed some fields and saw a happy group playing cricket before reaching the first waypoint, Folly Farm, and it was after this that things somehow went wrong.
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I'd show you the page in the guide where it said to look for a public sign to Long Ponds but this was nowhere to be seen. I followed the trail up past a plant nursery, opting to stay the course of the road bearing left when I reached a junction, since heading right would've taken me back towards the main road.
Soon it was off road again and - expecting to see the kissing gate mentioned - I strolled on contentedly. I'd tell you this off road terrain is exactly what to expect on my walk to Brighton so it was good practice. I'd say I saw a few families out for the day and met a lovely little dog that licked my hand 'hello' before passing more sports grounds and cricketers. I passed through another muddy metal gate and listened to birdsong as I continued for another couple of miles. I'd show you the video I took of the trail ahead.
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Then i'd say how I came across a style to my left and found a pond, albeit neither of which were mentioned in the guide. At this point I had an inkling i'd veered off course and i'd show you by just how much on my map. Rather than course-correct, I figured out how to head in a new direction back towards home, all in all completing a walk just shy of 10 miles.
We'd have a good old chuckle at my woeful sense of direction but i'd maintain that the day wasn't completely wasted: I saw some beautiful countryside. I'd promise to let you know when I do manage to complete the walk in the guide though.
Do you enjoy walking? Where's your favourite place to go for a ramble? Have you ever gotten stupidly lost like me?