Date: Monday 21 April 2014 (Easter Monday Bank Holiday)
Distance: 17 miles
Footpaths: Section of the Lee Valley Walk – long distance path
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lea_Valley_Walk
Time: 7 hrs with stops
Counties: Hertfordshire – North London
Weather: Sunny with cloudy spells
Terrain: Mostly gravel or stoney paths, some grass, some tarmac & pavement
Clothing: Salomon Womens Tee, Katmandu Ladies Zip Off Trousers, Basic Leggings, Northface Walking Boots, Walking socks, Jack Wolfskin – Highland Trail 46 Women’s rucksack
Maps: OS Explorer 174
Travel
Parking at Hartham Park: Free on Bank Holidays & Sundays (Chargeable Monday – Saturday)
Single train fare – Ponders End to Hertford Stations: £6.80 (no charge for dog)
Rest Stops
Drink at The Fish & Eels, Dobbs Weir Road, Hoddesdon. Carried dog to bar and sat outside in the garden on a bench overlooking the weir. Dog water provided.
Lunch at The Narrowboat Cafe, High Bridge St, Waltham Abbey. Carried dog inside to order and sat outside on a picnic bench in front of cafe next to river. Dog water provided. Outside toilets – key from cafe.
Amwell Nature Reserve Viewpoint
Pubs/cafes passed but not visited
Saracens Head – Ware, Jolly Fisherman – St Margaret’s, The Rye House – Rye House, The Crown – Broxbourne, McDonalds – Waltham Abbey, The Greyhound – Enfield Lock
Notes
Training walk with heavy rucksack – slowed pace
Camelbak + collapsible dog bowl allowed me to carry one lot of water for us to share hygienically
Tow path very busy with walkers and cyclists in sections. Not all cyclists have bells to alert pedestrians
Riverside scenery gets more industrial towards London
Plenty of bins for dog poo
Hertford East to Liverpool Street train line (Greater Anglia) runs close to the river which means you can stop at any point and return by rail
Lots of midges – Avon SSS prevented bites
Not much shade on paths. Sun cream needed.
Birds spotted
Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Heron, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pheasant, Buzzard, Kestrel, Lapwing, Black Headed gull, Common Tern, Wood Pigeon, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Willow Warbler, Wren, Robin, Chaffinch, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail
LongWalkswiththeShortDog 