Walk with me

Want to see some beautiful sights?
Come and walk with me.
On Sunday afternoon, CBC went out for a cycle (an epic fast cycle so not one I could tag along with) and so I also wanted to get out and get some exercise (especially as it is the last day of the holiday) and not be aimlessly at home.
All my walks so far have taken a left out of the end of my road so this time I decided to go right and walk towards a nearish village we had cycled through (the place of the Asparagus) if it was possible or at least head in that direction and see where I got.
I turned off the main road and ended up walking along the lane when I came quite quickly to some OSR fields.  I'd never had these in walking distance of where I live before so it was rather exciting.  I only met one pair of dog walkers along the stretch.

When I reached the end of the road, a footpath turned the right angle along the field so I decided to follow that rather than continue towards the village. 

The yellow blooms spread across the horizon and I was completely alone.

I looked to the right and saw a meadow which was teaming with daisies.

Some beautiful Bluebells were flanking the border and it was a delight to see.

The odd Fava bean plant was dotted along the path. I find these really attractive!

A final glance at the OSR before I advanced into some green fields with woodland flanking them. At the end, I had to turn into the woods and found myself on the playing fields behind the community centre on the main road.

I wasn't sure where to go next so I walked through these towards the main road. I saw these daisies winking at me at the entrance.

There was some great artwork on the back of the community centre. The reason for the Vikings is that nearby is supposedly the scene of a battle between Ethelred and some of the other ancient kings and Vikings.

I continued onto the main road and then turned right along the lane towards St Andrew's Church.

I thought these were Red Campion flowers but now I'm not sure.

These were growing along the fences leading to the church.

And there the church was, looking beautiful and peaceful.

Turn to the right and see the view down the valley towards the river.

The blossom looked like tresses of pure white here.

And up close, some beautiful Cherry blossom.

Notice the clock?

A welcoming sign from the church.

I like the idea of a grave for those who have no official resting place. Notice the shard of light.

I continued through the graveyard, tutting as I could hear the voices of youths and a loud blaring mobile phone hidden in the bushes. I am quite sure they aren't related.

The footpath continued down the hill and then I had no choice but to join the main road back towards town.

As I walked along homewards, I saw someone had done some lovely rainbow chalking.

The walk was probably around 5 miles in total, not huge but certainly wonderful to explore some more routes around my home town and region.

I hope you enjoyed it.

xx

Beautiful Essex Walks- The Saffron Trail 2 -from Felsted to Great Dunmow

Last week, I shared a beautiful walk which was part of the Saffron trail.  On Saturday, CBC and I decided to continue the walk from Felsted where we had finished off.  Would it be as beautiful as the previous stretch?

The first part of the walk goes behind a riding school and we were delighted to see this young lady being led out as we walked past. Her fur (?) was so soft

 The first field held the beautifully photogenic OSR as before.

 The verdant green crops that continued on were beautiful to see too and less cloying than the strong aroma of OSR.

 Soon after, we encountered more OSR.

 The walk suddenly reached a path which it transpired used to be an old railway line.

 This helpful information informed us that the Flitch Way was the railway line that used to run between Bishop's Stortford and Braintree. I can't help but think that it would be great if there was still a railway line! Certainly helpful to people who live here, miles from any station.

 As a canopy of trees overhung the old railway route, it leant a dappled light to the path and certain trees were highlighted. I really like the shard of light on its ivy-clad trunk.

 There were some pleasing examples of flora to interest us. Are these Corncockles?

 And some potential bluebells?

 At one point, we saw a marker as to where Felsted Station once stood.

 Most of the walk was beautiful thus far but I was extremely disappointed, just after crossing the road after the Felsted station sign, to see an absolute stream of rubbish- dumped rugs, plastic bikes, buggies and rubbish a-plenty just littering the path, undergrowth, streams and bushes and was saddened to see a traveller-site to our left. It saddens me when stereotypes that people often spout are seemingly fulfilled.

 Still, the sun shone on and gradually we left the mess behind us.

 There are a few bridges left from the railway line

 For some bizarre reason, I was strongly put in mind of The Railway Children.

 We took a right through a field and found ourselves going through a mysterious tunnel of green.

 Again, the way the light hit the leaves was something I found exquisite.

 The church in Little Dunmow was really attractive. I particularly liked the tower.

 As before, there were some really ancient, quaint and picturesque houses. I love how wonky the lines are!

 We reached a collection of these spiky plants and I really wanted to photograph one but they kept rearing up at the camera in the wind! This looked like hedgehog attack!!!

 Finally, we reached Great Dunmow outskirts. I stood and watched this Cricket match for a little while, feeling like I wasn't alone...

and it seems I wasn't the only one interested in the cricket scores!

The final destination on our walk was the Doctor's Pond which I had visited in 2010 when CBC and I cycled from Brentwood to Cambridge. We stopped here for photos.

 Read about Doctor Lukin's leach pond. Sadly, not Doctor Who- though I wouldn't be surprised to see some daleks emerging from it alla Dalek Invasion of Earth!

 He looks cosy, Mr Mallard

 Here was my dear companion.

We hopped on the bus back to Felsted where we picked up the car.

Conclusion: another delightful stretch of the Saffron trail. I preferred the previous stretch but this one certainly still had some beautiful points of interest!

xx

P.S. If you missed it, here's part 1 of the Saffron trail