Leader: Terry Brown

Seven of us, including two visitors - one from Cambridgeshire and one from Suffolk, enjoyed 22 miles of the Hertfordshire section of the North Chiltern Trail remembering our good friend Chris Burns. Chris's husband, Ian, came to see us off from Great Offley which was lovely. The weather was kind - not to hot or cold - and dry.

Our morning break was at Breachwood Green Recreation Ground, we were very aware of the aircraft passing close overhead to their imminent landing at Luton Airport.

Our lunch break was at St Pauls Walden, The Strathmore Arms was excellent, again allowing us to eat our lunch in their garden. The nearby church had a flower festival on so we weren't able to go into look around without paying an entrance fee! However, our afternoon break at Preston coincided with 'Village Day' - it was a bit bizarre because the village green had many stalls, loads of people and loud music but there was an ice cream van and a stall serving tea/coffee and cakes which we took advantage of; we were able to rest on straw bales and chairs.

On the last couple of miles our route was clearly going to be used for a running event the following Sunday as there were route markers and inspirational messages to help us get up the final and steepest climb of the day - which they'd labelled as 'Cardiac Hell Hill' - to get back to Great Offley. It wasn't that bad really!

Some of us finished off the day with a quick drink in the Red Lion. Thanks to everyone who came - we all agreed that Chris would have loved it!

Terry

The Intrepid Seven and Alfie the dog. Photo taken by Ian Burns, Chris's husband who came to see us off.