Good company, great walks, beautiful scenery, yummy food—-there was nothing ‘not to like’ about yet another wonderful Essex & Herts walking holiday.

 

It all started well on Friday afternoon 27th March, with an excellent, albeit hilly, 5 mile ‘warm up’ walk ably lead by Lizzie. 
The largest UK HF hotel in Church Stretton, Shropshire was the chosen venue for this years annual ‘soiree’. Recently refurbished, it provided a real upmarket venue and a private room in which to  welcome everyone with a Friday evening prosecco reception. This was partially funded by the generosity of Sarah, the daughter of the late, much loved member Francoise Bannister who refused a refund for her mum's deposit for the holiday. The toast to the cherished late lovely  member raised the roof.
After the usual HF freshly cooked, top quality dinner,  most replenished their glasses and enjoyed a fun quiz devised by Lizzie.

Saturday’s walk started close to Much Wenlock and provided different out  and  back routes to Ironbridge, birthplace of The Industrial Revolution and home to the world's first cast iron bridge built in 1779. An iconic place to eat one's sandwiches.

 

It was a pleasure to welcome Rob from the Marches LDWA to lead Sundays fabulous, if somewhat  demanding trek. After 2 very steep ascents the Long Mynd provided a relatively flat traverse across the ridge with glorious views. No one actually got blown over…or very wet!
After a cosy lunch huddled in a cow shed some chose the direct route back to the hotel from Little Stretton, whilst the battle-hardly continued over 2 more hills including Caer Caradoc to complete 17.5 miles and 4,400 feet of ascent! A tough day's walking. 
A ‘HF special’ Sunday roast, lots more socialising in the bar and a skittles contest  completed the day.

 

After check out on Monday morning, before heading home, most rounded off the holiday with a 7 miler  lead by Peter Tremain.

          Of course these holidays  would not be complete without the usual hilarious ‘off walk’ shenanigans.  

          Wallace and Gromit’s “The Wrong Trousers” have nothing on The Essex & Herts long distance  walkers. When Kirsteen, the esteemed chairperson, inadvertently put on her husband Mark’s waterproof over trousers at the start of Sunday's walk the error was not discovered until Mark got ‘his’                pair out his rucksack at lunch break. Given that ladies trousers are cut to afford more ‘rear end’ room and tighter at the front, Mark's afternoon could have been a little more comfortable!

           A word of warning. Sharing a lift and suitcases with the group's lovable scallywags, Chris and Linda, is best avoided. After much rearrangement of bodies and cases to ensure an easy exit for the girls on floor 1, they alighted and helpfully pressed  the button to send their friend up to her room               on the floor above.  The result was Chris and Linda  going nowhere and getting back out on the ground floor and the unfortunate friend unknowingly wandering around floor  1 searching for her room  which was actually on the level above!