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