Day 3 - Hemel Hempstead to Chalfont St Giles

We set off having had a restful evening in the Holiday Inn hotel in Hemmel Hempsead in bright sunshine. A brief note of thanks to the manager who allowed us a special deal including an evening meal on the house.



Our route took us through the back roads towards the Grand Union Canal (GUC). We joined the GUC at South Hemel Hempstead near Nash Mills. We walked along the GUC to Kings Langley and then headed east across the A 41 twoards Chipperfield Common. This is a beautiful wood where we admired the 12 Apostles lake and enjoyed the tranquility of the lovely tree-lined paths.



From ther we travelled on to Commonwood where we stopped for a break at a Cart & Horses pub. We were not allowed to eat our packed lunch there, but with the agreement of the manager collected donations from his patron’s for the Alzheimer’s society. Commonwood is a lovely village with some stunning Tudor buildings.
We then headed south and joined the Chiltern way footpath. This took us through Sandfield wood where we stopped sat on logs that formed a Pixie ring to have lunch . Jeanet had brought her bible and we read a few Psalms before eating.

We continued our way south and joined the edge of the Chess valley, with enjoying the beautiful rolling Buckingham hillside. The path led us to the Holy Cross Church @ Church End. This is a quaint little church with a particularly interesting font. We took an abrupt turn west and crossed the river Chess and walked up through Chilton woods skirted round west Choreleywood which brought us to the River Melbourn and into Chalfont St Giles. This was one of the longest wlaks of the week, but we all enjoyed the experience.
At Chalfont we met up with Revd Tim and Stephanie Stacey who introduced us to our kind hosts for the evening. Chalfont St Giles is a lovely little town and we enjoyed an evening in the townn before selling in for the night.

Walking with St.Swithun for Alzheimer’s Society

Until each day’s blog can be presented here’s a slideshow of the pictures taken on the walk. We hope you enjoy these…



If this is too small press F11 and then click here for a bigger display PLEASE NOTE - You may need to hit the play button too to scroll through the photo's automatically.

Walking with ST Swithun:- Day 2 - Monday 18th May 2009

Following a delightful evening with hosts Colin, Gale & Chris and a substantial breakfast we met with Anne Charles who will be with the team until Wednesday evening.

We set off at 9:15am and made our way from Hitchin towards Hemel Hempstead. This was to be a gruelling 19 mile journey from Hitchin through to Hemel Hempstead.

We left Hitchin from the south towards Charlton then headed south then slightly off track towards Offley across some very picturesque rapeseed fields.


We turned south again past Offley Holes Farm and up and over a steep hill and on towards Kings Walden where we became a little confused as almost all signs in this area pointing toward Whitwell!
We were amused to find that two cyclists had passed us on four separate occasions who were finding the area difficult to negotiate too, and not to miss out Jeanette encouraged them to drop a few pounds into the collection.

We negotiated our way past Kings Walden south of Beachwood Green past Lawrence End house and onto Peter’s Green where we stopped whilst Brian nipped in for a swift half and Ros & Jeanette filled their water bottles. The route then took us to the summit above East Hyde offering us a lovely view across the valley and St Pancras to Bedford railway line. We ascended the other-side of the valley and across the fields towards Harpenden. We negotiated our way past Kings Walden south of Beachwood Green past Lawrence End house and onto Peter’s Green where we stopped whilst Brian nipped in for a swift half and Ros & Jeanette filled their water bottles. The route then took us to the summit above East Hyde offering us a lovely view across the valley and St Pancras to Bedford railway line. We ascended the other-side of the valley and across the fields towards Harpenden.
We arrived in Harpenden and felt in need of sustenance, we stopped off at the Old Bell Public House where we were advised that we’d get to Hemel Hempstead in 45 minutes if we took the Lilly line. Feeling somewhat elated we finished our drinks and set off on this enclosed, picturesque, path way from Harpenden towards Redbourn. However our elation was short lived as it took us the full 45 minutes to get to Redbourn. We eventually arrived at the hotel in Hemel Hempstead some three hours, feet sore and tired, but we still found the strength to smile for the photo outside the hotel.

Sandy to Winchester in seven days... Sunday 17th May: Day-one.

The “Walking with St Swithun team” began the first leg of their trek at the at St Swithun’s Church, Sandy morning service with a special blessing for the five pilgrims by Rev Derwyn Willimans and Rev Janet MacKenzie.

The walk organiser Jeanette was well prepared with her Alzheimer’s collection tin strapped to her back-pack. We set out from the church at 8.45am and headed towards Station Road, past the Bell public house and down onto the Biggleswade-Sandy common. Then, across the river Ivel and past the Quarry Lakes.

walking their dogs. We soon approached Biggleswade where Jeanette seized her first of many opportunities to publicise the walk and take further sponsorship. Having passed Biggleswade the weather took a turn for the worse and a downpour ensued as the river Ivel split and we followed the path of the river Hiz. Langford Mill looked in magnificent order and it seemed but a short time before the rain petered out and the sun returned. Soon after Ros envisaged tea and cream cakes for the first time we stopped for our paked lunches at The Boot beer-garden in Langford. Before continuing we made a slight detour to Langford Garden Centre for a comfort break, and Jeanette took the opportunity to push for sponsorship from the locals passing and raised a few more pounds from some very kind people getting in and out of their cars. We continued the walk passed the Langford fishing lakes, along the Hiz and onto Henlow Grange. This is a lovely time of year to walk, the crops are sprouting and young foals and lambs are in abundance. The route took us along the path of the river Hiz, and on passing over the A507 just west of Arlesley Railway Station we veered west from the river and headed across the fields to Ickleford where we left the fields and took to the roads on to Hitchin, where we met our hosts, Colin, Gale & Chris.

Walking with St Swithun for Alzheimer's

This 110 mile sponsored walk from St Swithun's Church in Sandy to the resting place of St Swithun in Winchester Cathedral, commencing the 17th May 2009 , will take 7 days to complete and is in aid of the Alzheimer's Society.

The team includes : Ros Jones, Alban Macdonald, Val Haygarth, Brian Marshall & Jeanette Taylor pictured below:

The walk itinerary is Sandy (St Swithun's) to Hitchin , to Hemel Hempstead, to Chalfont St Giles, to Maidenhead, Farnham, to Alton, to New Alresford and finally to Winchester Cathedral; where St Swithun's body rests today.

The team from the Sandy area is staying over-night with fellow Christians in the above towns and parishes and we thank them for their kindness and support.
The idea for the walk popped into the head of one of the team during St Swithun's day service last year as she was praying. It's interesting to note that Swithun made his diocesan journeys on foot. And his best known miracle was restoring a basket of eggs that workmen had maliciously broken. So we pray that he may guide our way and he'll be there to make sure we don't break anything on our way. And of course that you will be kind enough to pray for the cause and/or dig deep and sponsor us, on this journey.
Donating through justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: As the Alzheimer's Society gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Click here to sponsor us.