A very pleasant walk, starting with time to explore the ruins of Berkhamsted Castle, a Norman motte and bailey castle.  We headed up on to Berkhamsted Common and then into woods, passing a WW1 trench.  A picnic lunch on logs on the edge of the impressive Ashridge College.  We got rather chilly but were rewarded with hot drinks and cake at the delightful Courtyard Cafe in the college grounds.   Any sort of eating out is a treat after so many months of lockdown.  The last part of the walk took us through Frithsden Beeches, a lovely woodland conservation area.  Eventually we arrived back in Berkhamsted where Hilary persuaded most of the group to divert from the station to view the newly hand painted plaques on the canal bridge.    Half the group  then repaired to a canal side pub for a convivial hour or so (although I am embarrassed to say it took us the best part of half this time to master the online ordering system sufficiently to get our drinks)!

Thanks to Hilary for leading and to Ida for the photos.

Gillian