Chivery to Chalton
After a lovely night with Coral and her Rangers. I was back on the Ridgeway, ready for the last section to Ivinghoe Beacon.
I started out across fields. With the sun shining, it was beautiful and I couldn’t ask for better weather!
The Ridgeway took me back into some more woodland, which was lovely and peaceful. Apart from the odd walker or runner, it was just me and the birds.
I then walked through Tring Park. Tring Park is an old estate, which now holds Tring Park School for performing arts. The tree lined track was nice and wide bordered by trees either side. Part way along they had a sign about some work to cut back some trees and open the view. It was interesting to read something that was so focused on preserving a view instead of letting nature grow and restore!
At the end of Tring Park, I realised that I had entered Hertfordshire. Sorry to the couple who almost ended up in the back of me, when I stopped still to look at the sign! I’d not realised someone was so close behind me.
On my way into Tring, I found another Trig point, so here is a compulsory photo.
Once I got to Tring train station, I was joined by a friend for the day. It was so lovely to catch up with her. I’m so touched by how many people would like to be part of my journey.
We continued along the Ridgeway and made it to Ivinghoe Beacon. This is the official end of the Ridgeway. It felt amazing to have completed the first full national trail of my trip. The views from the top were beautiful. We could even spot the Whipsnade Zoo Lion in the distance.
We then took the Two Ridges Link path, before following some roads into Eaton Bray. It was a beautiful little village, that had a really nice coat of arms at the centre.
We then took footpaths up to Tottenhoe nature reserve. The views were beautiful and we could see for miles. The nature reserve was an old settlement, with a motte and bailey. It was so interesting to see the ditch, that had once been a moat. I could definitely see why the location was chosen.
For the afternoon, we joined the Chiltern Way, which took us past the new Amazon plant. It was massive!
We continued north of Luton, before it was time for my friend to catch her bus back home. It was lovely for her to join me. I was also very grateful, because we’d prearranged for me to order a gas canister to her house (which she brought along for me). Gas is something that I can’t post in my parcels, so I’ve had to work out places on route that I can source it. When we planned to meet, we put this plan in place. This gas canister should last until I reach home, where I’ve got another one waiting for me.
I then continued along the Chiltern Way and into Chalton. Part of the route included this lovely BOAT. It took me through the hedgerows, which also blocked some noise from the nearby road.
Shortly afterwards, I reached Chalton for the night. Along this part of the route, there are not many campsites, so I contacted a few village halls, asking if I could camp on their adjacent ground. It was a lovely surprise to get an email from Katie, to say that they could offer me a spare room instead!
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