Clamp
Hill, Stanmore to High Barnet
15.15
miles
Although
mooted as the better of the two days weather-wise, the forecast for Sunday had
still been poor, with rain and gusty winds threatening. But it was dry and
bright with sunny skies as we set out to re-join the LOOP, so again lady luck
seemed to be smiling on us.
Entering the woods of Harrow Weald Common |
Picking
up again from where we left off last night, we entered the woods of Harrow Weald
Common, skirted the cottages originally built for the servants of Grim’s Dyke
House, and headed on to cross Common Road and enter Bentley Priory Open Space,
where morning constitutionalists, dog-walkers and joggers were much in evidence.
Bentley Priory was once used as the HQ for Fighter Command in WWII, and is now
home to the Battle of Britain museum.
After
a short stretch through some more salubrious housing, we crossed into Warren
Lane and entered the woods through the car park, stopping for a short coffee
break at a handy bench. The woods make for a pleasant place to walk by day, but
there was evidence that the car park may be used for a different purpose after
dark.
By
and large, though, the scenery was a distinct improvement on yesterday, and the
route that wound its way between ponds and beside the playing fields of Harrow
RFC was very pleasant.
By Caesar's Pond |
Passing
the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital without recourse to treatment, we left the woods behind and entered
farmland scenery once again, gradually climbing across a wet and muddy field to
meet Elstree Road and pass under the M1. Further on, we skirted the edge of
Aldenham Reservoir, and took a short break for a quick bite to eat.
Aldenham Reservoir |
Beyond
Aldenham Reservoir, we crossed more farmland. The sight of a wide, muddy line
across the vast field in front of us filled us with dismay, but we battled on, ankle
deep in sticky, slippery mud. At least the next three fields were different:
this time, there was just wet, sloppy mud to contend with across their broad
acres.
Mercifully,
someone had built a golf course, and stabilised the quagmire. We felt a huge
surge of relief at the prospect of dry land once again, and I can just imagine what
Hereward the Wake must have felt on returning to the Isle of Ely after
repelling invaders across the fenlands – terra
firma at last!
Soon,
we reached the road again, and made our way into Borehamwood for tea and cake –
the end of Section 15. But
not the end of the day for us: having pushed on last night and made an early
start today, there was still plenty of daylight left. So we set off again in
the sunshine, with High Barnet tube station our goal.
After
half an hour or so of road walking, we picked up a path into Scratchwood Open
Space. To be honest, I only knew the name Scratchwood from the services on the
M1, but the woods are an altogether better experience than the roadside
catering.
We
negotiated a bit more mud as we dropped into a dip and climbed out towards the
A1, where a lengthy southward loop was required to cross the six lanes safely.
Signpost at the entry to Moat Mount Open Space - Barnet 4 miles away |
The
Moat Mount Open Space provided a welcome return to quieter walking, with a
lovely woodland path rising to farmland followed by a roadside stretch along
Hendon Wood Lane.
Totteridge
Fields Nature Reserve is special for the variety of its wildlife. Judging by
the underfoot conditions, much of it will be amphibian. Roughly two miles of watery
slop ensued as we sploshed our way towards the appropriately-named Ducks Island.
Now I know it has done little other than rain this winter, so all this mud
should come as no surprise, but it does become a bit tedious at times. I’m sure
it’s very nice in better conditions, but when solid ground hove into view in
front of us, I must say we were somewhat relieved.
Whose turn is it to clean the boots? |
The
final half an hour took us on tarmac paths through recreational areas on the
fringes of Barnet. For the second day in a row, we took our last few steps in
the half-light of oncoming evening, finally reaching High Barnet tube station
as darkness fell. Despite the mud, we’d had a good day again; the weather had
been kind, transport had run to time and we didn’t waste much of the available
daylight either. We even managed not to leave too much mess on the train.
After
a spot of dinner at Euston Station, we caught the very busy train home, and somehow
managed to bag the last two available seats. Sometimes luck is on your side,
and when it is you should never look a gift-horse in the mouth.
You
might want to check if its going to be knee-deep in cack beforehand, though ….
"but there was evidence that the car park may be used for a different purpose after dark" - sounds ominous?
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