Five years ago, we had just arrived in London, starry eyed and in culture shock. We didn't know where to live, what things were called, how long we would be here. We were very aware of and self-conscious about being foreigners and frequently found ourselves struggling to figure out what every day products at the grocery store were called (paper towels/kitchen towels, crushed red peppers/chili flakes...it's hard to remember the things we couldn't figure out now!). We were in awe of London and we were excited to explore more of England. So, five years ago, we went on our first country walk to Wendover. If you want to read about that, click here.
It was a spectacular walk and we were spectacularly unprepared for the English weather. We had no waterproof clothing or shoes. I walked over 13 miles in J Crew wellies. We got soaked to the bone, lost (because we didn't know what things like "stiles" were and couldn't understand the directions in our English walking book) and were frightened by the prospect of walking through a field full of Rams. We didn't bring enough food and we almost didn't get back to the train before it was pitch black. But we were so charmed by the English countryside and the beautiful Chilterns and the village of Wendover and the idea that we could get to someplace so lovely by train in less than an hour that none of the hardships that we faced on the walk really mattered.
Last weekend, we decided to revisit Wendover. We got out our ratty, tatty, outdated Time Out Walks book, dressed in our waterproofs and Gore-tex boots and lots of layers, left the girls with the babysitter and headed to the Chilterns.
It was a cold and rainy day, just like last time, but we were upbeat and warm and dry thanks to what we have learned after five years of living and walking in England.
We knew what stiles were this time .
And did not lose our shoes crossing muddy fields.
We discovered that the Wendover community is vehemently against the High Speed Rail plan (as evidenced by this 'train as monster' poster, which was posted all over the town and throughout our walk).
Jim broke in his new hiking shoes.
We remembered the last time we did this walk and being very impressed by the beauty in this particular area. It's amazing what you can remember five years later.
Jim sat upon a "hillock."
And also at the foot of a church.
And when it was time to cross out of this pasture, a very large horse was conveniently parked in front of our exit stile.
Not being a horse person, I was scared to take much action from any distance closer than this (and my cajoling didn't convince the horse to move)...so we found an alternate exit, after which the horse, of course, moved.
It was really nice to go back to Wendover and enjoy being there again, but we were also happy to get back home to these guys. Someday we'll ALL go for long walks in the country.
