After the walks further south in the county, we have now reached East Hertfordshire, described as an area of small villages and large fields.
Leaving Widford behind and moving up the Ash Valley, we head out across the fields, passing Mill Wood, towards Much Hadham.
Before we see anything of this picturesque village, we are directed onto one of the now familiar Hertfordshire Way loops – named the Much Hadham loop. It turned out to be much too obvious, as we came across a junction where the Hertfordshire Way branched off in three directions. We knew by going straight on we would eventually return to this point to take the third option later, and so it proved to be.
However, straight on we went, into Sidehill Wood. Very apply named as the path was cut into the side of the hill. In a large part of this wood the Bluebells were in full bloom, covering the ground with a carpet of blue. A wonderful site to behold.
Leaving the wood behind we crossed a field to the River Ash at a point where the road goes across through a ford. We were not to cross yet, as we were directed through a one hundred and seventy degree turn back up the road before turning off left across the fields.
Eventually, after a further two miles, we crossed the river further downstream and continued on across the fields, eventually arriving at St Andrews Church in the village of Much Hadham. This church is reputed to have two gargoyles carved by Henry Moore, the sculptor. Time didn’t allow for us to view these interesting spectacles, a further visit will have to be made another day.
As we joined the High Street in the village, we met up with another charity fundraiser, Mats Frankl from Sweden, who is roller blade skating round the world in aid of the Red Cross. He commenced his feat at the top of Mount Are in Sweden, has roller blade skated though Sweden and Norway before crossing to the UK, landing at Edinburgh. He has travelled down this country, and stayed over the previous night at a B & B in Hare Street; he will be in London the same day that we met him. Staying that night in Stoke Newington before heading for Harwich, where he crosses back onto main land Europe. Then on through Denmark, Belgium, Germany, France and Spain. From Spain he travels across the Atlantic to North America. He told us he travels approximately 50 miles each day. His endeavours are reported daily on his web site - http://www.rollerpeace.com/ . He is accompanied by his wife and two young sons, who follow behind in a camper van. Good to meet someone with a purpose in life, I wonder what made him start this venture. If you visit Mats’ web site and click on Photos then Supporters, you will find a photo of us with Mats.
After we had all taken the inevitable photos, Mats wheeled away ahead of us down Much Hadham High Street on his way to London. We followed in the same direction but at a far more sedate pace. 
We walked half way down this very pleasant village, with its period cottages and houses, before stopping outside the village hall for our morning coffee break. After coffee we continued on down eventually turning off left by the Old School House, with its flint stone walls.
It was not long before we came across the same river again, this time back at the road and the ford. We were now the wrong side, but a foot bridge had been provided, so all was well, except that there is always one who has to wade through the water!!!!!
Once on the other side, the route retraced our tracks back across the field and into Sidehill Wood again, with its display of Bluebells. So, back at the signpost we resume our walk taking the third option. It was now out into the country again, across fields toward the village of Perry Green.
It was here in Perry Green that Henry Moore came to live during the Second World War, and remained until his death in 1988. Before entering the village we passed through the Henry Moore Heritage Foundation Trust, where many examples of Moore’s work are displayed around the grounds. They say art is in the eye of the beholder!!!!!
Passing through the very pretty village of Perry Green, we cross more of Hertfordshire’s countryside in the direction of Tye Green. Here we found a hostelry for our lunch break. The Prince of Wales is a pub that hasn’t changed much over the last thirty years. It has a varied collection of real ales as well as snacks. The gentlemen of the village were in there for a sociable drink rather spending large amounts of money on expensive food. However, our Linda did find the chips were of a very high standard.
After a well deserved break, we walked on towards Thorley and our final destination of Bishop’s Stortford. Continuing on through fields with beans, corn and rape we arrived at the London/Cambridge railway line. It was crossed with care, even for a Sunday it was busy. Once over that hurdle we arrived on the banks of the River Stort, more a canal than a river.
Turning left up the towpath towards Tyeford Lock. It was here that a dilemma had to be addressed. To the end of the journey via the streets of Bishop’s Stortford following the Hertfordshire Way route, or following the more pleasant route along the river. This alterative was meant to cross the county boundary into Essex.
We decided to take the picturesque route along the canal. I can categorically assure any one following in our footsteps, that Essex wasn’t in our way, and we saw no “Essex Girls”.
The towpath eventually arrived at the end of the canal on the outskirts of Bishop’s Stortford and only half a mile from our final destination, the railway station.
So ended a very pleasant day’s walk though some spectacular countryside, we are indeed fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world.
Howard
