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.