Stansted Stagger
28 December 2003

A winter early morning over Essex

It was only just getting light when Karen, Lorna and I met up at Stansted Mountfitchet chapel hall for registration. And it was cold...but it looked like it was going to be a fine day for walking. The route directions were pretty good (or we've got better at following them) and we were soon on our way to Ugley Green, a village that didn't remotely look like its name. This part of Essex is stuffed with impossibly pretty villages - worth another visit in the summer.

Ugley Green ahead

Anne, Lorna checking that all her fingers are still in situ, and Karen

We made very good time over the first part of the walk, maintaining a fairly steady 4mph. Pretty good, considering the vast amounts of Essex soil that we were carrying on our boots. Walking through the village of Manuden, we were passed by a pack of cyclists who yelled 'Morning walkers!' We shouted greetings back. 

Anyone who sneers about Essex should come and see this part of the county - it's very beautiful. On next to Clavering, and the route took us past the church...

...where we could hear sounds of the Sunday service from inside. We were at the 10 mile mark, and looking forward to the only checkpoint a couple of miles ahead. 

Anne approaches Arkesden

Just as we came into Arkesden, a group of walkers munching happily pointed out the village hall, just to the side of the church. We piled in, and feasted on tea, sausage rolls, sarnies and cake. Then it was time to forge ahead, along the stream that runs through the village then back across country, towards the M11. 

Anne, Karen, Lorna and other walkers head towards the M11 tunnel

Planes overhead, traffic rushing past and us on our original means of transport.

Lorna, Anne and Karen with the M11 in the distance - the white dots are cars

Back under the M11 again, and we headed past what looked like a beautiful Saxon chapel, called St Helen's.

St Helen's chapel at Bonhunt House

After about a mile I had to stop - I'd put new footbeds in my boots and they were very uncomfortable...Lorna kindly lent me some extra socks so I could take the wretched things out. Feeling much better, we carried on along the return route; the sun was now beginning to go down.

Another enormous field...

There were a few more prairie fields to skirt, and I think we were all beginning to feel a desperate need for a cup of tea. Tea! We were soon back at Manuden, and always in sight of other walkers, so there were none of the usual last miles navigation problems.

Old man's beard in the setting sun

The sun began to set - a glorious splash of orange and gold and icy blues. We headed back into Stansted, weary and very glad to have reached the end. Poor Karen had freezing hands that had turned horribly white; Lorna had peeled ankles but Anne's hands had not swelled up alarmingly. We had  very welcome cups of tea and were chuffed to have completed the 25 miles in just under 8 hours (although Karen and Lorna had nipped to the loo so their certificates showed a slower time). A great walk, and great company!