It was the morning after the country learnt of the passing of our late Queen. Walk leaders from around central Bedfordshire gathered to walk from Flitwick to Steppingley and back, a circular route of about three miles through open countryside, hosted by the Flitwick Wellbeing Walking Group. A pre-arranged event that probably would have been cancelled given the time, some walkers that were expected to attend stayed away out of respect, but having said that thirteen met up in the car park of the Rufus Centre in Flitwick and our respects were shown with a momentās silence.
I have to say, it did feel a little weird having the boss there, Mike Fayers, this is the guy that trained us, all those years ago. Having highlighted the hazards and potential risks that we might encounter on the way, ābusy country lanes mostlyā I delegated the lead to Pauline Bierton who donned her new orange Hi-Viz tabard with Mike Clark in the middle and me bringing up the rear. Not all of our walk leaders could make this Friday morning meet but the three of us would be fine, fingers crossed, at least it was a fine dry sunny day, perfect for a relatively short walk like this.
So we set off crossing Steppingley Road directly into farmland, sandy soil, open fields that had recently been harvested, Muntjac deer looking on from a distance, with the gentle gradient that eventually exposed wonderful panoramic views for all to see. Conversations ceased for a moment there whilst Nicola took photos and then we continued on our way crossing Woburn Lane, more fields up into Steppingley itself, past the old school house, the church, the āFrench Hornā public house, across the lane again back into farmland.
All this under the watchful eye of a small group of highland cattle in a distant field, we descended slowly to the perimeter of Flitwick Wood, bluebells now long past their best and clear signs of new fencing, recent ground clearance and a general tidy up. On this clear day, specific landmarks could easily be identified in the far distance, the single wind generator at Marston Vale Forest Centre, the incinerator at Stewartby, Houghton House, even a cluster of wind turbines at Blossumville near Olney in Buckinghamshire.
From here it was all downhill across farmland back to the Rufus Centre for tea and cake and a chance to network with colleagues, ask those questions and bat ideas from one to another. A most enjoyable day was had by all. Thank you Mike and everyone who attended.
Written by Chris Toyer (walk leader- Wednesday Flitwick walking group)
A big thank you to Pauline Bierton and Mike Clark (walk leaders).