And then there was mud..............

I had arranged to meet Jane and Nige at the visitors centre at Dunstable Downs to do a 7.5 mile walk called the Ridgeway Link. The walk goes along the Downs, around farms and villages ending up at Invinghoe Beacon - and then back the same route to the visitors centre making it 15 miles.

The weather has been appalling all night and there was no change this morning. The wind was howling and the rain flooding down so waterproofs were donned immediately on arrival.

The ground was absolutely sodden with mud everywhere and surface water running in streams along every path we followed. We skirted the edge of Whipsnade zoo, scaring a herd of deer from the bushes as we approached, and followed the signs pointing out our route. Along the top of the Downs the driving sleet started, giving us all red faces and literally taking our breath away. We stopped for snacks and comfort break - I can honestly say I have never had a call of nature in such inhospitable weather out in the wild. It was freezing!

Snack Time - look at that river of mud!

We soon discovered that all wasn't as it should be. It appeared that someone had been 'adjusting' the signposts along our route which meant we were not were we though we should be.

Fortunately Jane is a local girl as was able to lead us along an alternate route to Ivinghoe beacon. It was hard going climbing to the top as the mud and rain made for treacherous going but getting there was well worth it.

We decided on a more straightforward return route as time was getting on. Even that defeated us as we had to circumnavigate a large ex-RAF base. We were worried our cars would be locked in the car park at the visitors centre. Jane called her Mum who very kindly picked us up and ferried us back to our cars.

A very wet, muddy, tiring but rewarding day was had by all.

Miles walked: 17.5
Hours walked: 5hrs 15min