John Clare Cottage 6.9.20 This year is the 200th anniversary of poet John Clare's first publication. On the 20th July 1841, he left the asylum in Epping and walked 80 miles to Northborough. I intended to follow in his footsteps and undertake this walk; now140 miles as it traverses motorways and circumvents private land. This is the story of my walk in prose and poetry including one published in 'The Meeting'. Out of Epping Epping Forest as ‘common land’ is highly accessible and can be approached from any compass direction. An exemplar of ‘being unenclosed,’ without walls or fences; No convoluted journey to search for pedestrian gate or stile. Enter from the Twittens of Loughton, Ivy Chimneys of Theydon Or the footpaths converging on the Copt Hall cerviduct. Chime over Bell Common, or jump over Chingford Find your own route and walk in your own gait or style. Make time to visit every feature, greet every tree, Relax up Pole Hill - or f...