Yesterday (Sunday 21st July 2019) a group of intrepid crypto explorers met in the tiny Bedfordshire town of Arlesey for a #cryptowalk around the local nature reserve and historical sites of the town.
On the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing it was cool to know that the spirit of adventure is still alive and well.
Team leader and local guide was @steevc who was joined by world travellers @adetorrent and yours truly @molometer
Arlesey (ARL zee) is an ancient town dating back to the 12th century and we chatted about the fact that there are thatched cottages here older than many countries around the world.
We met at the local watering hole The Old Oak pub and set off on our trek across the wide expanse of countryside that borders this picturesque little town.
The Old Oak Pub Arelsey
The conversations covered many topics from the latest developments on steem to world politics and the nature of free speech.
Freedom of speech comes with responsibilities.
In 1998, the United Kingdom incorporated the European Convention into its domestic law under the Human Rights Act. However, there is a broad sweep of exceptions including threatening or abusive words or behaviour intending or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress or cause a breach of the peace (which has been used to prohibit racist speech targeted at individuals),[2][3][4] sending another any article which is indecent or grossly offensive with an intent to cause distress or anxiety (which has been used to prohibit speech of a racist or anti-religious nature),[5][6][7] incitement,[8]incitement to racial hatred,[9] incitement to religious hatred, incitement to terrorism including encouragement of terrorism and dissemination of terrorist publications
Source
The trek begins
Our entry point into the walk was via crossing the railway bridge and into the Old Moat and Glebe Meadows.
Railway tracks
We followed along the meandering route of the river Hiz, an ancient chalk fed spring tributary that joins the great river Ouse which ends at the Wash on the North Norfolk coast near Kings Lynn.
River Hiz bridge
Ade wondered if it was possible to get to the sea from where we were? Based on my brief research. It appears that it may be possible.
The Glebe Meadows were full of butterflies but trying to get photos was tricky as the butterflies were busy doing what butterflies do. Flying about looking for food or a mate.
Glebe meadowns
To be totally honest the conversations were so interesting that very little photography got done by me and I didn’t even get a shot of myself or @adetorrent but I did get a photo of Ade doing his Instagram thing on his camera.
Ade showing us how to do instagram
https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmfXv6bnixrAMR8h1LgUM4Noqwb4rn2VUEtntWNkteQQpj
The walk was enhanced by @steevc’s local knowledge and he pointed out many features in the fields and town that would probably go unnoticed by the casual visitor.
Steve pointed out that the river was used by three water mills during the period when this area’s main industry was brickmaking.
As we passed over the tiny foot bridge. Steve pointed out the foundations of the once prosperous mills that are now underwater and all that remains of the industry.
We contemplated how many generations had made their living from this place over the centuries?
We stopped when we saw a field in the distance with some horses grazing on the common land and a discussion began about the ownership of the horses and the tragedy of the commons and how this economic theory can be applied to the steem environment.
The Commons Grazing Land
Every time that I have met with fellow steemians the conversation is always instant, constant and fast flowing and just like the river it moved on in several interesting meanders simultaneously.
View from the bridge downstream
You really had to be there to get the pace of the conversations. It was basically triple our walking pace which was very leisurely.
We eventually came to the end of the Meadows and crossed another railway foot bridge to bring us back into the town.
Crossing the railway bridge back to town
Steve told us about the asylum on the hill in the far distance.
Steve pointed out the number of pubs that have closed and been converted to housing and businesses.
We found ourselves at the war memorial which was very sobering when we considered the number of men from the town who died in the two world wars.
War memorial in Arlesey
One of the recruitment policies of the British during the first world war was the Pals Brigades
Looking at the monument it was plain to see that several members from the same families died on the battlefields of Europe. (Just like the movie Private Ryan except no one was sent for the last family member alive)
Many dead from the same family
It must have been devastating for the townsfolk as so many men died in the meatgrinder of trench warfare. An entire generation of men destroyed.
Local graveyard
Naturally the conversation turned to Brexit and the fact that we haven’t had a war with Germany since joining the European economic community (EEC)
The history of Europe is littered with the number of wars that we have had with each other because we were in competition rather than in cooperation.
We made our way back along the high street and ended up at the local pub for a refreshing drink after our long trek. It was a great way to spend a #sublimesunday in good company with fascinating conversations.
We had a lot of laughs and interesting conversations along the way but mostly it was just great to be with people that understand what we are all trying to build on steem.
It was my pleasure to meet two incredible steemians both with a vision for the future of our block chain.
We discussed the idea to have another #cryptowalk around Cambridge at some point if anyone is interested. The last one was with @starkerz and myself and was quite a while ago now.
Thanks for a great walk guys. @steevc @adetorrent
Local guide Steve.
https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmZsZbkjtYzpcBZSuLv2iso1GK1CFdPNyQUywnLdpP5gDG
Source courtesy of @adetorrent
Meetups do take time and resources but are well worth the effort. You meet such interesting people and local knowledge is invaluable to get a sense of a place in a short visit.
Exploring steem and the other things in Arlesey.
Everyone loses in a war :(
It was my pleasure to share my Instagram secrets haha.
As a species we never seem to learn this simple truth.
Sharing your instagram secret sauce was most welcome. 😂😂👍📷
That looks like a lovely walk - great idea to walk and talk. We had been to Hunstanton the day before, so I was all walked out, otherwise this would have been a great thing to do.
Sunny hunny is a great day out. Did you try the local seafood?
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Stimulating talk and scenery makes a full day :-)
It was a brilliant day spent in great company.
What a great meet-up! It would be such fun to have folks to talk Steem with!
Hi Mel, just found your comment.
It was a great meet up and we chatted non-stop the whole time we were together.
It was good to hear that we all shared common ideas and concepts about steem.
It's a work in progress was the conclusion that needs tweaking in some parts.
It helped to clarify the various paths for the future.
It was my pleasure to show you guys around. I've lived here a long time and picked up various bits of history. I love having all this nature in our doorstep. I'll be up for other events.
It was my pleasure to meet you both and your knowledge of the area is impressive.
It was interesting to learn about the history of the town and the future plans.
We could have spent the whole day there.
I'll organise something in Cambridge for the summer.
I shall expect similar insight on your tour :) I have got books about Arlesey that I ought to study. May be potential for more posts about the place.
Haha I'll do my very best. I've posted loads of blogs and vlogs on Cambridge right here on steemit. 👍📷
https://steemit.com/photography/@molometer/take-a-punt-on-cambridge
Howdy sir molometer and what a wonderful post! I assume that everyone is bullish on Steem and Steemit? Being able to see the local scenery is really cool!
Bullish lol you are funny. The consensus was that this is a long term proposition.
Market price while important isn't the defining aspect at this point in time.
It was an interesting meet up.
Howdy today sir molometer! Ok, well I think the long term potential for steem is very healthy don't you? I mean, outside companies are using the blockchain for more and more things. Yeah, I don't mind the low price especially when all alt coins get hit hard like recently.
Sounds like a sublime Sunday indeed - quite a walk. It is good to meet up with like-minded individuals and enjoy a few laughs, and a few pints together.
Cryptowalk! What a great idea!
And there's only one way to end a walk, used to be my favourite part of the walk! Coke and and bowl of chips!!!
The blackcurrant and lemonade was a perfect finish to the day. Very refreshing and thanks for including this in the travel digest. Much appreciated. 👍😋
You're welcome! Blackcurrant and lemonade sounds so cool and refreshing , especially since its so hot right now.
Mine was always an ice cold coke and a bowl of chips
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