Warden and Galley Hill Circular July 2009

Seems like a long time since anything was loaded on to our blog so I thought I'd put in this Sunday afternoon short walk.

We started at the Links Car park at the bottom of Warden Hills and walked some of the Icknield way by the golf course up towards Warden Hill. These hills are one of the most important area of chalk downland in Bedfordshire and is Luton's oldest Local Nature Reserve

Here we are climbing a stile nearing the top of Galley Hill

After walking along above the Golf Course we did the short steep climb to the top of Warden Hill


This is a view of Luton from the top of Warden Hill.


This is part of the golf course and Luton from the Hill

We then went along the top of the ridge and up Galley Hill where there are some barely visible burial barrows, there was apparently a gallows built on one of the barrow in the Middle ages. We came down the hill and across the golf course following more of the Icknield way down towards the A6.




Here we are on level ground parallel to the A6 heading for Streatley.





This is the unexpected find of the 14th Centrury St. Margarets Church,
Streatley




This is the view of Galley and Warden Hill from the other side of the A6.

Then, strangely enough for the Bogtrotters we found ourselves at a nice pub in Streatley which served real ale.
After refreshments and a rest we walked along the footpath from there past the Pasque Hospice back safely across the A6 and to where the cars were parked. Not a hot July day, but fine and breezy, perfect for walking and chatting.



These are some of the 15 intrepid walkers who went on the Sunday afternoon short walk on the Hill overlooking Luton.


I wonder how many people realise that this is to be found so close to the centre of Luton?

June Midweek Meander

For our June Meander we caught a bus from Dunstable to Piccotts End near Hemel Hempstead and walked towards Frithsden, where luckly enough one of our favourite pubs was open for hot drinks and alcohol.

Tring Meander March 2009

We travelled to Tring for our March midweek meander. Found a little known teashop which is on the outside of, and part of Tring Natural History Museum, and indulged in refreshments in true boggie style.
Above are the Louisa Alms Houses which are just round the corner from there.


We went through Tring Park: the photo above is taken from there.

We walked through some lovely woodland.
Making our way along some of the Ridgeway Path.

We also passed through Wendover Woods, which is owned by the Forestry Commission and has facilities for picnicing, a cafe, a high wire course etc. (if you drive there you pay for parking though).

We climbed to the top of Aston Hill. (below)

Which is where they used to test the cars

and the Aston Martin is named after the hill.

You can see Marsworth Reservoirs in the distance.

All this is only a bus ride from Dunstable! Or less than 20 miles by car.

Another great walking day.

LONDON HOSTEL TRIP

On a very blustery weekend in March some of the Bogtrotters decided to forgo the joys of the countryside and muddy fields to go Youth Hostelling at St. Paul's Youth hostel.















It is in the middle on this photo,
taken from the steps of St. Paul's.















A View from St. Paul's Catherdral

8 of us met up at the hostel, which is only roughly 100 yds from the Catherdral. As often usual several of us decided we wanted to do different things so split up, arranging to meet up for a meal later on. 4 of us opted to visit the Globe Theatre where we enjoyed the tour and were unexpectly treated to some of the dress rehersal for the forthcoming Romeo and Juliet and we then went on to visit St. Pauls (hence the view).

The Globe Theatre at night
London has improved considerably over the years and was a pleasantly clean and enjoyable place to visit. Some of us encountered the wonders of crossing the Millenium bridge half a dozen times over the weekend - and no it no longer wobbles.

St. Paul's from the Millenium Bridge

Three of the ladies were very new to the club. One of them we met on one of our trips to France last year! I don't think some of them knew what to expect, but comments were made that we weren't too posh, which was a fear, or words to that effect! After an "exciting walk" in the evening to find our eating house which was easier to find on the map than on foot, due to unforseen byways and gates, we all enjoyed an excellent Thai meal complete with wine and beer, and home via that bridge again!

View of Canary Wharf from the river boat
Sunday after a typical huge hostel breakfast, again some of decided to visit Canary Whalf and sample the joys of a river bus - we can recommend it £5 one way or £12.50 all day. We then found our way to a free Gospel Music concert for a while and, after wrapping ourselves up against the rain to cross over Hungerford bridge this time, the rain stopped and the sun came out again. Time for a quick drink and sausage and mash in a nearby pub and even time for a quick visit the National Portrait Gallery before making our way home. A diffferent sort of active weekend (even if we didn't walk too many miles) with good food and company at YHA pricesrather than the usual sort of London ones!

HI, hope you have been looking at our photos

This is a group of walkers from a local walk at Cow Roast Bridge on the Grand Union Canal

We have been trying to give you a flavour of our some of our recent trips and include a few pictures of our beautiful local countryside. Its amazing how many years I had lived in the Luton Dunstable area without realising just how much glorious countryside we have within a 20 mile radius. Joining the Boggies changed all that! If you interested in the Group, visit www.dunstablebogtrotters.co.uk

Dunstable Downs Half Day

Valentines day - the 14th of february.

We got off to moody views over Dunstable and Totternhoe to the north.

15 walkers in all.
It was cold and crisp on the Downs.











A stop for coffee then lunch at the old farmers boy and home via the quarry at Kensworth.