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]( https://busy.org/@molometer/moon-landing-anniversary-date-21st-july-1969) 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. 

<h2>The Old Oak Pub Arelsey</h2>
![The Old Oak Pub Arelsey.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmWdJbz6AveL1zqMP7EpbpSYXrkSkH2fF6w7LAyEu7q4s1)


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]( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_the_United_Kingdom)

<h2>The trek begins</h2>

Our entry point into the walk was via crossing the railway bridge and into the Old Moat and Glebe Meadows. 

<h2>Railway tracks</h2> 
![train to london .jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmZDMQsbgyCceDAR5xamWhswm2FutH24vqh3XckUp3gFDv)


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.   

<h2>River Hiz bridge</h2>
![river hiz bridge.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmQPHfc4H6ggQBddX5umr3gvE3uHmYqHoGtqSHVoa9DKDW)

[River Hiz facts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Hiz)

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.

<h2>Glebe meadowns</h2>
![Glebe meadows.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/Qme6HCuaNDYkKjTZppgVfy252CZLJzyvsjxnLh615JcrUh)


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.

<center><h2>Ade showing us how to do instagram</h2>
https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmfXv6bnixrAMR8h1LgUM4Noqwb4rn2VUEtntWNkteQQpj</center>

[Source courtesy of adetorrent](https://steemit.com/meetup/@adetorrent/the-first-arlesey-crypto-walk0)


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. 

<center>![old mill race foundations.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmbwGWbD75wQqPyx51JfepZp2nofGQayZhAt8MGWXJw1k3)</center>


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]( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons) and how this economic theory can be applied to the steem environment.

<h2>The Commons Grazing Land</h2>

![the commons grazing land.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmYbyBzmcZQq5YEyeLNdXXP8xGTvmpPmHRBQtassqxAVa3)


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. 


<h2>View from the bridge downstream</h2>
![view from the bridge downstream.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmSgEce33wKEPLRigL9bRvt2Rw6fJ3WiL8Pz6y3bLDbVBw)



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. 
<h2>Crossing the railway bridge back to town</h2>
![crossing the railway bridge back to town.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmZPYkFBeBAzX8nAdu4teHpVzu3SWJoQRcUTLSAfKenoWE)

Steve told us about the asylum on the hill in the far distance.
 
![The asylum on the hill.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmXf7kSqvCpnKJf3qYDfibjPr1PEqrVGhoJB2zyEJgfVTU)


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.

<center><h2>War memorial in Arlesey</h2>
![war memorial in arlesey.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmQfcy944ETjziWeNe2s6w9i2KXZkSVwaK4AY5TuVce8H4)</center>



One of the recruitment policies of the British during the first world war was the [Pals Brigades]( https://steemit.com/architecturalphotography/@molometer/the-pals-battalions-of-world-war-1)
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)

<h2>Many dead from the same family</h2>
![family names of the dead.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmXQwk1KdqyhPWhY8ENhesBhqU1HizFWskVwwePTnooF8P)

[War memorial roll of honour](http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Bedfordshire/ArleseyRollofHonour.html)

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.

<h2> Local graveyard</h2>
![the glorious dead.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmeQM8ERnHyhkoWr3PQcaSncQKdE8HikhC25RFa6VbMf8n)


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.

![blackcurrant and lemonade.jpg](https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmSo82duojyVx8fYgrEpd1qEU6pfypzvbR6MTkMz6cWTJi)


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.

<center>Our walk in yellow.
![Inkedwalk_LI.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQme4GkAgxbTbQ4dcF8EZSMHiuiXPuruQHgQj6ftk7h2AJg/Inkedwalk_LI.jpg)</center>


[//]:# (!steemitworldmap 52.015221 lat -0.264238 long Cryptowalk Arlesey, UK d3scr)