Pete's Walks - Ashridge, Ivinghoe Beacon, Tom's Hill (page 2 of 2)
I crossed the lane between Aldbury and Ivinghoe, and went through the small car park for Pitstone Hill and up the adjacent Hillock, again admiring the rather hazy views over the Vale of Aylesbury. The gentle climb from the hillock to the top of Pitstone Hill seemed to take longer than usual for some reason. It had taken me twenty minutes to walk from the Beacon to Steps Hill, and then twenty-five minutes more to reach Pitstone Hill. The views were still hazy as I continued along the Ridgeway (spotting a couple of Small Heath butterflies), following part of the ancient earthwork of Grim's Ditch as it made its way into the woods of Aldbury Nowers. It was enjoyable walking through the woods, though I met a surprising number of walkers coming the other way considering that this was midweek.
Pitstone Hill from the hillock by the car park
View west towards Tring from the top of Pitstone Hill
Grim's Ditch on Pitstone Hill, heading towards Aldbury Nowers
Aldbury Nowers
Eventually I left the Ridgeway and made my way across a golf course and then along a short path to reach the ever-popular village of Aldbury. I had thought that if my foot or leg were playing up I could just go back uphill to the Monument from here (thus completing a great shorter route that I've done numerous times), but I felt OK and carried on. I made my way through the village allotments, and took the path back uphill towards Tom's Hill, joining the short lane that leads to that hamlet.
Looking back towards Aldbury Nowers from the golf course
Approaching Aldbury, with the wooded slopes of Ashridge beyond
Aldbury
The short dead-end lane to Tom's Hill
As I reached the hamlet, I turned left into the woods once more. I dithered at one junction before continuing on my planned route, but at the next junction decided I should turn left and head back to the Monument by the quickest route. I'm glad I did, it was the sensible thing to do, and as I've already mentioned my left leg was aching again when I got back to the car (it still aches now a few hours later as I'm typing this). There was a good bridleway heading back to the Monument, but I veered off it after a while to take a path on the right which I've only used a couple of times before. I crossed the large meadow beside the National Trust buildings by the Bridgewater Monument and got back to my car about 12.30pm.
The woods near Tom's Hill
Bridleway heading back towards the Monument
Bridleway heading back towards the Monument
Path across the large meadow near the monument
The Monument and the wooden buildings that house the National Trust cafe and information centre
This was a really nice day for a walk, with the temperature getting into the low twenties. Though the route was largely very familiar to me, I don't think I'll ever get tired of walking it - there's a good mixture of woodland and downland walking with a few fields thrown in as well, much of the route has wide-ranging views over the Vale of Aylesbury, and there's a fair bit of up and down.
I'll have to see how my leg is in the next couple of days before I do another walk. Hopefully I'll be getting my new orthotics next week (special insoles, which I need mainly because my left leg is shorter than my right) which should put an end to the leg pains I've been getting. I'll then get some new walking boots, the ones I've had for the last 15-18 months are showing a few problems.