Our walk this month was along the Flitch Way from Rayne towards Dunmow, across a pleasant stretch of the Essex Countryside. We met up at the Swan Inn Rayne.
The walk started by crossing the playing field opposite the pub to join the Flitch Way. We stopped for coffee at the pretty Rayne Station.
The Railway Carriage which is by the platform at the station but not part of the cafe was open. As it was a cold sunny morning we asked if we could sit inside the carriage with our coffees .
There is an interesting exhibition about the history of the Flitch Railway with old photographs and a layout of the line inside. Also ,some beautiful photos of the fauna that now grows along the line during the year.
After our coffee we wondered along the line enjoying the views of the countryside in winter and then returned by the same route to Rayne Station.
We took the road by the station to the Main Street of the village. There are some interesting old buildings and a modern housing development on the site of the old foundry, where the sculptures of John Betjeman and the embracing couple on the platform at St Pancras International Station were made.
We returned to the Swan Inn for a very pleasant lunch and good conversation.
Heather Brigham