Pete's Walks - Kensworth to Ivinghoe Beacon (part 4)
On the right of the fence, the rough grass sloped steeply uphill towards the car park for the Beacon. I was surprised at how many walkers were about - I counted a total of 19 that were in view as I followed the path by the fence, including a group of seven that passed me coming the other way. I heard the distinctive sound of a Raven here, though it was too far away in the gloom for me to see it.
Near the start of the Icknield Way, heading away from Ivinghoe Beacon
Further along the same path
After a while, I went through a gate in the fence (actually I could have followed a path on the other side of the fence to get here), and followed a path towards a wood. Just before going through a gate at the entrance to the wood, I sat on a log to eat my lunch and have some coffee. I was worried that I might lose heat and get too cold while I was stopped, but the coffee helped me keep warm and I was fine. A few snow flakes fell, but just for a few seconds - this had already happened a few times, and did so again just after I set off again. I followed a path through the wood, and soon spotted a male Muntjac Deer amongst the trees to my right (I managed to get a fairly poor photo of him). After a few hundred yards, the deciduous trees gave way to the slightly spooky coniferous section of the wood, but I was soon through that and back into more natural woodland.
Entrance to the wood, where I stopped for lunch
Poor shot of a Muntjac Deer - shame there were twigs and branches spoiling the view
The path through the first part of the wood
The coniferous section of the wood
The far side of the wood
The path forked left at a track junction, and started up a steep flight of wooden steps with a hand railing - these were put in a couple of years ago, as part of some general improvements that were made to this part of the Icknield Way (a lot of new signposts were put in at the same time). The steep mud and chalk slope that was here prior to that was probably a bit dangerous when wet, I could well imagine someone skidding or slipping over and injuring themselves. At the top of the steps, somewhat out of breath, I followed the edge of a pasture and went through a gate to reach Ward’s Hurst farm (I mentioned it earlier).
I turned left and immediately left the farmyard through another gate. I followed a fence on my left between two sheep pastures - a long line of sheep were processing through an open gateway, heading over to my right. They stopped to let me pass by, then continued on their way. I was now following an embankment on my left, where some magnificent beech trees grew, as the path gradually descended. There was usually a good view ahead of the Gade Valley and Dagnall, but today there was just a blank greyness. The hoar frost on the trees and grass continued to make for good photos though.
The start of the steps, on the way to Ward's Hurst Farm
The path from Ward's Hurst Farm to Hog Hall
The path from Ward's Hurst Farm to Hog Hall
I passed a few more sheep, and beyond the end of the very long pasture the path went round the corner of an arable field to reach the drive to Hog Hall. I turned right and carefully followed the drive steadily downhill. It was very icy in places, and I often had to resort to walking on the verges either side. After half a mile or so, I reached the road that runs through the Gade Valley again, on the edge of Dagnall. This walk passes through the three counties of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, which all meet at a point just outside this village.
The start of the drive from Hog Hall
Towards the end of the drive from Hog Hall
I turned right along the road, into Dagnall. I went straight on at a roundabout, passing the rather unusual church on my right. I turned left immediately beyond the village school, following a path between paddocks on my left and a small field on my right. Ahead of me was a steep slope, part of the Chiltern escarpment, where there was one of the very large open paddocks of Whipsnade Zoo. When I reached the end of the path at a lane, I saw an emu beyond the zoo fence opposite me.
Dagnall church
The path from Dagnall school
Looking across to the next path, along the edge of the wood going up towards Whipsnade Golf Club