Berkhamsted Walks and Social

I'd be very grateful if members could make a £1 donation towards Meetup costs. For anyone who has gone 'cashless', please transfer payment to the KROO Bank Meetup account:
Martin Jones
04-07-09
00779315.
Otherwise, it's possible to make a payment through PayPal using paypal.me/MartinJ1986 and choosing the friends and family option.
Thank you!

This 5.3 mile walk should be about 2 hours long and takes in some great views of the urban landscape, valleys and woodland to the north of the historic town of Berkhamsted. Wide, field-edge paths and woodland paths give plenty of space. A relatively easy style-free walk on level paths with about 10 gates and just two short uphill sections. We pass through the woodland of Frithsden beeches, along Berkhamsted golf course and then skirt around the castle. The walk will take in the historical sites of the World War I trenches and Berkhamsted Castle. After the walk we can enjoy a drink at the Crystal Palace pub. Those needing to leave early can follow the canal back to the car park.

The walk begins at the free Canal Fields car park, Broadwater, Berkhamsted, HP4 2AL. The car park is at the end of Broadwater, past the football club and opposite the tennis club. Please be wary of the post code, it is best to use the Google maps link above.

Please note that this walk is not led by a qualified leader and, as such, isn't covered by insurance. Be sure to wear suitable boots and clothing. The organiser cannot be held responsible for any injuries, however caused. Members are expected to take responsibility for their own preparation and safety including adequate fluids, weather protection and a snack. Please be sure to make me aware if you have any medical conditions.

Dogs are welcome as always but please be mindful to keep them on leads for roads and around other animals.

If you are unable to attend please be sure to change your RSVP otherwise our departure will be delayed. My contact number is 07587867371.

Welcome to our Berk Worms 🐛 book club. Each month we all aim to read the same book from a particular genre and then meet to discuss it. We also then talk about other books we are reading and sometimes exchange books with one another. All are welcome!

Our book for discussion in July is a classic western novel entitled ‘Riders of the Purple Sage’ by Zane Grey. This novel was published in 1912 and it runs at approximately 254 pages, depending on the edition you read. It is also available on Kindle.

The seminal western novel was a massive commercial hit, selling over a million copies immediately after its release. It established many of the staple formulas of the Western genre, such as the lone gunman, water rights battles, and the dramatic rescue.

About the novel for Discussion:

Where I was raised a woman's word was law. I ain't quite outgrowed that yet.”

‘Riders of the Purple Sage’ tells the story of Jane Withersteen and her battle to overcome her persecution by members of her polygamous Mormon fundamentalist church, a leader of which, Elder Tull, wants to marry her. Withersteen is supported by a number of Gentile friends, including Bern Venters and Lassiter, a famous gunman and killer of Mormons. Unlike many Western novels, which are often straightforward and stylized morality tales, ‘Riders’ is a long novel with a complex plot that develops in many threads. The story is set in the cañon country of southern Utah in 1871.

Throughout most of the novel Jane Withersteen struggles with her "blindness" in seeing the evil nature of her church and its leaders, trying to keep both Venters and Lassiter from killing her adversaries, who are slowly ruining her. Through the adoption of a child, Fay, she abandons her false beliefs and discovers her true love. A second plot strand tells of Venters and his escape to the wilderness with a girl named Bess, "the rustler's girl," whom he has accidentally shot. While caring for her, Venters falls in love with the girl.

Critical views:

Filled with gunfights, cattle-rustling, high drama and thrilling adventure, "Riders of the Purple Sage" is perhaps the most popular Western novel of all time.

Reading Ahead:

11 August: Russian Literature - we will be reading The Master And Margarita: Mikhail Bulgakov

8 September: we will be reading Action and Adventure. This will be selected in our July meeting

Happy reading, 🐛Cazza