Watford to Ricky and Back

Home to Byewaters to Long Valley Wood to Rickmansworth to Batchworth and back to Croxley Moor.  Phew!   28/09/2020

I hadn't really done much 'proper' walking since my 'birthday walk' the week before (which was fabulous and I'll write that up next), so Monday morning after getting up rather later than I'd planned, off I went down through the estate heading for what is quite often my starting point, Byewaters. However, I was immediately side-tracked by the hot food van parked in the small lay-by near the business park, so stopped for breakfast. Egg and bacon sandwich duly dispatched I continued on, pausing briefly at the waterfall. 

The weir at Byewaters - my little waterfall

There is a channel that runs off from the canal and over the weir, which joins up with water coming in from the other direction and is actually part of the River Gade. On the narrow strip of land between canal and river is where my swan family built their nest much earlier in the year and subsequently hatched four cygnets. They lost one (apparently it got swept over the waterfall, so I was told, but no attempt was made to rescue it) but they have successfully reared three, all growing into their white feathers now and looking for food. I'd forgotten to take some, so they and a large number of Canada geese remained hopeful but unfed. I took a few photos as I bimbled along to the lock, of the boats colourfully reflected on the water and managed to get a half decent shot of some geese as they flew overhead. Then it was over the bridge and up the steps to Buddleia Walk and so into Long Valley Wood, spotting a small copper butterfly on the way. 

There was a lot of noise as I first entered the wood, coming from jays mainly, with some magpies joining in, but they soon flew off and I was left with soft chattering birds and surrounded by dozens of squirrels scurrying about with their nuts! The acorns are plentiful and crunched underfoot. And that was it. There didn't seem to be anyone else about. Peace and solitude and the sun slanting through the branches. Everything was still so green, though there are hints of Autumn colour appearing. I glimpsed a spray of Oak leaves on the path and stopped to arrange some acorns around them. Displays of different coloured autumn leaves and nuts into mandala-like patterns seem to be the thing to do at the moment. Mine was a pretty simple affair, but I liked it. 

At the end of that stretch of wood, a footpath runs up from the canal, joining with the woodland path and I followed it up alongside the Metropolitan railway line and over the bridge towards Croxley Hall Farm. The original farmhouse here was built at the end of the 16th century, but has been altered by successive owners. Just a short distance away, mainly hidden behind the trees, is Croxley Great Barn, a real gem of a building and worth a visit when we can return to 'open days'. It dates back to the 14th century and is really magnificent. 

The path continues on the opposite side of the tracks now and runs alongside the St Joan of Arc school playing fields. It's a narrow little path hemmed in by a tall hedge and the fence above the railway, but at the end you come to a low bridge across a chalk stream, which is in fact the River Chess. I stopped here to watch the water flowing and it was some minutes before I noticed a large bird up in the tree. It was a heron, quite still and watching the water just as I was. It was lovely and sunny and warm here and I lingered a while, the sort of place you might spot a kingfisher, but alas, no such luck, so I strolled on and came into Rickmansworth at one end of the High Street and turned left to walk into town. 

The Coach and Horses looked quite resplendent in the sunshine and I took a few photos of some of the more interesting buildings on my way to the nearest coffee shop. A vanilla latte and a piece of lemon cheese cake later, I detoured into a bookshop and picked up the latest Cormoran Strike novel, a hefty tome which just fitted into my rucksack and then it was off down Church Street to Batchworth Lock. Cafe@Lock81 was closed so there were no groups of people enjoying what I consider the best burger and chips for some miles (they do other food as well) and so passed by and started along the canal home. 

The Coach and Horses

There are quite a few boats on this stretch, some very interesting ones such as the Dutch barges and some not quite so interesting and one or two in need TLC. For whatever reason they are in a sad state, they make for good photos. Many boat owners have made little gardens on the other side of the towpath and there's a definite feeling of 'I would love to live like this'.  I nearly did, many years ago. I was going to buy a boat and live afloat. It didn't happen and now I'm content to look at the boats of others and pass the time of day if anyone is so inclined. Just before the Met Line bridge there were a couple of lovely working boats and then just as I approached the bridge, a kingfisher darted off down the canal away from me. Unfortunately I didn't see it again, but nevermind. The sun was still shining and it was very warm. At Common Moor Lock, a couple were taking a break from a cycle ride, sitting on the bench and watching a boat approach. Whether the two guys aboard were new to the canal or not, they were making a bit of a hash of getting into the lock. I too watched for a couple of minutes and then turned down the slope to the moor. My knee and particularly my foot were beginning to hurt now, but I trudged on. Someone had strung a swing up from one of the trees. I'm not sure how long it will last. It wasn't attached to the most robust of trees. However, my 'dead tree' is still standing, though beginning to look the worst for wear with patches of peeling bark. Perhaps it will just fossilise rather than fall down. 

I reached the Ebury Way and the last lap. A quick cup of tea and (unashamedly) another piece of cake at the granddaughter's and a welcome lift back to my house. 

I'd been out for about four hours or so and walked just over seven miles. It was a good one. 

~ oIo ~

Photos of the walk in the Gallery

As an addendum. I found a curious little stone on the walk through the woods. Shown below. Any ideas anyone?

Bluebell Walk

 Bluebell Walk 12th April 2020

The day after my 'Business Park-Moor' walk, I decided to venture up to Long Valley Wood above the canal at Croxley. I knew the bluebells should be out and lockdown or no lockdown, was determined not to miss them. Going to see the bluebells was almost a Spring pilgrimage.

A lot of people in Watford venture down to Whippendell Woods abutting Cassiobury Park, but I find them too open and too crowded with people walking all over the plants, standing or sitting amongst them as they pose for photos (at least they were last time I was there). Long Valley to me is more like an English wood should be; gentle hillside paths winding their way beneath canopies of trees, dappled sunlight playing through the leaves, the slender branches leaning together and forming patterns against the sky high above your head. Wood pigeons coo, jays screech and magpies chatter and often there's the sound of a woodpecker drilling into a trunk. And at your feet, carpets of bluebells. Go at the right time and the scent is heavenly. 

I left home early and walked down to Byewaters where the canal was bathed in golden light and the reflections were bright and colourful on the still water. Taking a few photos I carried on to Common Moor Lock, crossed over and took the path leading up from the canal on the other side. I didn't have to walk far to catch glimpses of blue through the greenery and then I was there. Bluebell woods are beautiful. There's no other word for them. 

It was still early and there was no one else about, perhaps one or two dog walkers. I meandered slowly from one end of the wood to the other and took a lot of photos, drinking in the scent as I walked, wallowing in Mother Nature. Once again it was the blues and greens and freshness that was so overwhelming. And the quietude. Spring was having a field day!

Had time been on my side I would have bimbled up to Croxley Hall Woods above Long Valley, but I was still quite guiltily aware of the "one hour exercise rule" and while no one knew what time I had gone out or indeed, what time I would get back, I felt an urge to make my way home, more quickly than I would normally have done, yet lingered a little on Croxley Moor with the gorse and glorious blackthorn blossom and dew-laden cobwebs. The light was still golden and the moor was glistening with frost, throwing the ancient termite mounds into contrast. I took a lot more photos before hitting the Ebury Way and so home. 

~ oOo ~

To see the photos of the bluebells, please take a look in the Gallery -

but being a keen local historian, I couldn't finish this Blog without adding a link to the 'Croxley Green History Project'. It's an excellent site and I refer to it quite often. The link below will take you to the history of Long Valley Wood:

https://www.croxleygreenhistory.co.uk/sand-and-gravel.html

Business Park to Croxley Moor

Bimble to Business Park, Croxley Moor and back. 

Lynda's Bimbles. What are 'bimbles'? Basically it means to walk or travel at a leisurely pace. I first heard my sister use it and liked it, so stole it and use it all the time. I bimble all the time, weather and health permitting (I have dodgy knees and a disruptive foot), but love walking, so just get on with it. And always with my camera for company. I do walk with friends - usually my brother Martin or friend Sue, but quite often on my own, as unfortunately they still work and I retired four years ago. Best thing I ever did. 

So, Lynda's Bimbles. Where shall we start. I intended to start this Blog earlier in the year, but had problems with the website and now I have several long and lovely walks under my belt that I don't know whether to write them up in order or just as they appeal to me. 

Perhaps I'll go back to April, when we had just gone into Lockdown, but were allowed out for 'exercise walks'. They were only supposed to be for an hour and at first and I kept to that. But later, if you could find somewhere a little off the beaten track where you weren't likely to bump into too many people, then I didn't see why they couldn't be extended. And I did. Extend them, that is. 

So .....

Business Park, Croxley Moor and back  - 11th April 2020

I live pretty much on the edge of town, though it is being encroached upon at a rate of knots. Every spare piece of land or every space created by the demolition of something, sees the rapid rise of tower blocks. It's easy to start feeling hemmed in, but there's still enough open countryside near me that I can reach and lose myself in. 

The Business Park is just a few minutes down the road and not like any old business park. It has the most well kept grounds I have ever come across. Apparently there is a small group of seven groundspeople who keep it looking immaculate and this was evident even in Lockdown. Between the shiny offices and units are small lakes, ponds, fountains, ornamental trees, flower beds and even a Japanese garden with pagoda and bridge. On this particular morning it was totally deserted. And do you remember back in April and May, those blues and greens of the most amazing Spring I for one have ever witnessed? And the silence. It has been said by many people since, but it truly was as if the world of humans stopped and Mother Earth heaved an enormous sigh of relief. I loved it. Rejoiced in it. Couldn't get enough of it .....

I wandered slowly around taking photos of the newly-planted flower beds until I reached the far end of the main road where, behind a hedge, there is a grassy path that leads to a gate and the gate opens onto Croxley Common Moor. 

I've known Croxley Moor all my life. It's history as common land goes way back and it's a local nature reserve, SSSI and open space criss-crossed by paths. In summer cattle are brought on to graze. It's borders are bounded by the business park, the River Gade and Grand Union Canal and the Ebury Way. The Ebury Way was once the Watford to Rickmansworth branch line, the tracks long since removed and now a very pleasant walk/cycle/jog. As kids we would walk the line to the moor, across to the canal and picnic. John Dickinson's paper mill was still there then and the canal not so bad that you couldn't swim it. I wouldn't now, but the Gade is great for paddling and for spotting herons and egrets. 

I made my way to my dead tree to check it was still standing and then continued across the moor, passed flowering blackthorn - so pretty and white - and yellow gorse, spotting a few rabbits along the way. The river Gade was very still and glass-like and I stood on the bridge gazing at the reflections of clouds in the water. From there I walked up to the bridge over the canal and then along the towpath beside Byewaters (the residential site that replaced the mill), stopping to look at the swans at their nest. The nest was becoming hidden by willow branches and it was difficult to see if there were any eggs. The pen was on the nest while the cob swam sedately nearby. 

The weir was my last stop; an overflow of the River Gade from the Canal and my favouritest little waterfall ever. I can't pass it without taking photos. 

And then home. Not the longest of walks; easily done in an hour, but enough to lift the uncertainties of Lockdown. 

~ oOo ~

For each of these walks I am going to add photos to the gallery. So please take a look.