South of Hertford (that's London isn't it?)

Thursday 23rd May 2013.

Off again with the bike. She still has no name. Black, female, wanderer, tough. Any suggestions?

I caught the ten o'clock train to Hertford and rode straight into town. I walked through All Saints churchyard then rode up Mangrove lane. There were no mangroves, but I saw lots of English spring loveliness.

At this bend a car was driven in the opposite direction by a man using a mobile phone. As I recorded his details another came along; driving a Ford Ka. They had both come from the mangrove Farm industrial estate.

I entered the Broxbourne Woods complex. The main ride is undergoing some resurfacing work. I didn't really have a plan so I just bimbled eastwards. I walked where the surface was too rough or steep.

Eventually I encountered the sculpture trail. I had read about it on the internet, but had not anticipated going that way, so it was a pleasant surprise. I suspect the sculptures all had a local, historical relevance. I shall have to look into it.
Some were obvious, but the mediaeval lady and the block and tackle puzzle me.

I left the wood and cycled anti-clockwise around the perimeter, past Paradise Park, to where Ermine Street met the forest. This was the Roman Road from London to the port of Kings Lynn. 
It is represented in modern times by the A10.
I stopped at the Danemead nature reserve for refreshments. I could not explore too far as there was nowhere safe to leave my bike. Take note HMWT; all your visitors arrive by car!

I rode north along Ermine Street until I reached Hertford Heath and then went east, through the grounds of Haileybury School down to Stanstead St Margarets. Here I just followed the Lea towpath (again!), stopping at Amwell for a while, then slowly on to Hertford and my train back.
By now the sun had come out. I missed both the heavy rain which fell on Stevenage, and that which fell on Enfield, where my wife is!

South of Hertford. That's London isn't it?

Amwell HMWT nature reserve.

The natural River Lea, as opposed to the Lea Navigation, at Amwell.
The bridge in the background rests on the supports of the old railway bridge. 

Gazebos at Ware. How many times have I photographed this scene?

It might be yours. I want a sailing dinghy.

Ware Park Mill. I will write about this in a future blog.

Hertford Lock.

Two views of Hartham Park.

This ride had two particular highlights. At Amwell  saw a lapwing chick. It could have been only a few days old. I am sure that there was only the one; what happened to his siblings?

Later, in Hartham Park, I observed swifts mating in flight.

This was the first time I had ever observed either of these things.

Wednesday 23rd May 2013. Astonbury Wood

Classroom / visitors centre.

This is a 56 acre wood south of Stevenage. It was part of an estate that was presumably monastic as the 'big house' (built between 1540 and 1545) is on a site of a monastery building.

The house was privately owned until the 1960's and my grandfather was one of the last employees on the estate. I lived there for a short time in about 1969. 

The woodland itself was bought by Hertfordshire County Council in 1972. It was used as a nature reserve. 

It now appears to be almost abandoned by HCC, perhaps owing to lack of resources? I think I must contact them to enquire.

It is a pleasant, quiet place to visit to see birds, butterflies, plants or just for some quality quiet time.

Bluebells.

This stream cuts through the north of the wood and feeds two ponds.

The course of an old road to Datchworth.

Early purple orchid.

Time to cast those clouts! ie hawthorn in flower.

I love bluebells. They are one of the few things that Hertfordshire does well.

The big pond.

Another view of the old road to Datchworth. It is far more obvious on the ground than in a photograph.

The big pond. It is held by an artificial dam.

Decay. A pole lathe used for demonstrations to school groups and on open days. The remains of a greenhouse behind.

There is the remains of a second greenhouse under these brambles. I remember these structures  in all their glory, as a child

Rye House Marsh RSPB (and HMWT)

Today I took a train to Hertford station and rode along the River Lea towpath to Rye Meads RSPB reserve.

I wasn't really in the mood for walking around a reserve and I only came across two species of bird in the reserve that I had not already seen during my journey. I should have just gone as far as Amwell gravel pits.

Anyway it was a pleasant way to spend a few hours, and I took some photos:

Lea at Hertford.

Olympic legacy?

Amwell gravel pit. I am old enough to have visited this place when this view would have contained a giant excavator.
Today the view included redshank and a little egret.

Rye Meads RSPB reserve x 3.

Rye Meads HMWT reserve.

Fresh otter dropping in HMWT reserve. It smelt like Shippham's anchovy paste.
I have my suspicions about the taste too.

Trying to be arty with Rye House gatehouse remains, but failing miserably.

Moat.

Lunch companions.

Rye House.

Hardmead Lock. The towpath here is paved with dinky little bags of dog poo.