Waltham Wanderers Walks

All one-day walks start at 12.30. Different times may apply to 'Weekends'
24^th January ‘AGM’ walk	A walk will start 12.30 from the Village Hall followed by the usual party.
21^st February	The walk begins at Rayne Station Car Park and there is additional parking in the road. It's approximately 6 miles and a circular walk, heading towards Gt Saling and turning right along the back of Panfield village to return to Rayne Station. The cafe at Rayne Station should be open for tea and cake if required. There are interesting headstones in Rayne Churchyard presumably made in the foundry there. 12.30 as usual. Christine and John Stone will lead.
21^st March	Usual start time of 12.30 . Length of walk : About 5.5 miles Starting place: Coggeshall Public Car Park, Stoneham Street Walk visits wooded areas to the north of Coggeshall and Marks Hall Estate Route of walk liable to change to avoid very muddy areas! For further details contact Clare 07833 941310 or Sara
18th April	Walk around Great Bardfield and Finchingfield Start (12.30 pm) from The Vine pub, Vine Street, Great Bardfield. Parking in Bardfield streets, but limited if good weather brings out the visitors – share cars if possible. We have permission to park in The Vine car park, but it would be best to do this if you plan to be a customer afterwards – they do cream teas! Picnic lunch as usual, but drinks, ice cream etc. available in Finchingfield (half way). Unbelievably, we couldn’t find any public loos in either village – local knowledge would be useful!
9^th May	Waltham Wanderers All - Day Walk Sunday 9th May 2010 This walk is in the Stour Valley on the Essex – Suffolk border. An undulating route mainly on tracks and field paths takes us to Dedham then continues by the winding River Stour through Dedham Vale, the heart of the Constable Country, passing the landmarks of Flatford Mill and Willy Lot’s Cottage before returning to the start. Details in the Pathfinder Guide, Essex Walks. There are no muddy fields to cross! Distance 7.5 miles (12.1 km) Start and Finish Start at 11.30 am from Manningtree Station Car Park. This is a surprisingly large CP for such small town so we suggest you park on the upper, or station, level and near the entrance. We don’t want to lose anyone before we start. Pay and display £1. Getting there The simplest route is A12 (or A131 and A120) to Colchester. A120 towards Harwich and then turn left on B1035 to Manningtree. Follow the signs to Manningtree Station. Do not go to Mistley Station or to ‘Manningtree’. It is 42 miles from Great Waltham and it took us 55 minutes. En route refreshments We suggest you bring a packed lunch that we can have on the bank of the river at Dedham. There is a buffet at Manningtree Station – in case you forget anything – and pubs and cafes in Dedham. There is a café and a drinks/ice cream stall at Willy Lot’s Cottage (National Trust). Comfort stops Toilets at Manningtree Station (on the platform) and just as we come into Dedham. Also close to Willy Lot’s Cottage. Evening Meal This is at 6.0 pm at Lucca’s, The High Street, Manningtree. They do a special menu for groups which includes antipasti, a choice of pizzas (slices), pasta dishes and a choice of dessert. The cost for this menu is £18.95 per person. The restaurant does gluten free dishes so please let us know if you have any special dietary needs. Please let us know (luckslane@hotmail.com) if you want to come along to Lucca’s. There may be time to kill before the meal so have a stroll around Manningtree or drive on to Mistley (see the swans). There is an excellent café at Mistley (Mistley Quay Café) – but don’t eat too much cake – or the Thorn is opposite, if you would like a pre-dinner drink. If you miss this outing you’ll kick yourself!
20^th June	Castles and Countryside A sunny five and a half mile meander from the ancient village of Castle Hedingham on June 20^th Join us for a wander from Castle Hedingham to North End and back. From the castle via lazy meadows, cornfields, hedgerows, stinging nettles and the best kept farm in the UK. Meet at the village hall (see map) just behind the church at 12.30pm where a welcoming toilet awaits. (Tested by Mrs R for suitability). Parking is on the main road as you come in to CH, or by St Nicholas church and also in front of the Village Hall. There are tea rooms and two pubs in Castle Hedingham where one can take a gentle repast after the arduous journey to North End and back. Bring a packed lunch (if you want) which we will take at a suitable resting place just before North End or at the village green North End which has some seating. Remember walkers do so at their own risk. Frances and Tony
18^th July	Walk around Navestock Meet at Navestock Church Car Park. ref. Landranger 167 541983 Angus and Lesley Tony and Frances have invited the Waltham Wanderers to a buffet at their home from 7.00 pm onwards after the 18th July walk. RSPB (tony.rowberry@btopenworld.com) so that Tony has sufficient dry bread and water to go round (you think he's joking!), and to get their address.
22^nd August	Wildside Walk, Danbury A 5.5 mile circular walk starting from the tennis courts (GR TL783051). Visit Danbury Country Park, Blake’s Wood, Ling Wood & Common, and Bellhill Wood. Plenty of car parking in the Danbury Community & Sports car park, Main Road or the Danbury Recycling Centre car park, Mayes Lane both near Eves Corner. Bring a packed lunch. Warning : Many stiles, assents and descents as we could find. May be boggy in places IF we have rain. Some road walking, with one busy road to cross. Roger and Lis
19^th September	George and A. N. Other
9th - 10th October	Weekend in Dorset. Heather and Don
14^th November	Peter and Terry
5^th December to avoid clash with Christmas Tree Festival	Jean and Mike
Remember - walkers do so at their own risk!