Walk – Page 13 – Neil Baldwin's blog : Warning contains walking, technology, photography, holidays.

Final day in Suffolk

We woke up to a glorious but cold morning, with some regrets at having booked breakfast for 08:30, perhaps in future we should go for 08:30 on the Saturday and 09:00 on the Sunday? Break fast was up to the usual standard. We had the bill sorted by 10:00 and headed over to Minsmere for a short walk before heading back home.

All the sun was shinning there had been a deep frost and add to that the wind meant that it was quite bitter out. Accordingly we decided to keep the woods and avoid getting too near the sea or other exposed places. We headed out of the reserve to catch the footpath that leads to Dunwich Heath in the hope that the sun may have tempted the Dartford Warblers out. There was not much movement about and we did not hold much hope, but we did decide to give them one last go by standing still and scanning the heather. Helen could hear some calls and did once see a bird hovering but no concrete evidence. Just as I had decided in my mind that we were not going to see one, I saw a bird fly out from a heather plant. I quickly god my binoculars onto it. It was sat right on top of a low gorse, although distant the views were cracking as the sun was just in the right direction relative to our position.

By the time the bird disappear again (5 minutes later) we decided that a celebratory beverage was in order, and with NT Tea room within sight we soon had that sorted. Whilst there we did have a quick look from the sea watch room at the Red Throated divers. Suitably refreshed we headed down to Minsmere Helen and I set off home, and H&N went round to the South hides for a look before they set off.

Autumn walk through the beech woods around Cholesbury Buckinghamshire

We were supposed to be going round A&C’s for a look at their new extension then on for a walk, but C, the Olympic torch bearer, was feeling a bit under the weather so Helen and I decided the weather looked so nice that we should go for a walk anyway.

We decided that we would walk from Cholesbury cricket ground, and keep as much as possible to the surrounding beech woods, as it was mushroom season and there should be plenty to photo. The sun was shining and it was ideal autumn weather. We walked towards the village hall then took the foot path that runs along side it. We passed the church on our left and entered a small section of woods, by crossing the site then following the footpath NW, we then came to an opening where there are usually some horses. We kept to the footpath and enter Buckland Wood, where the footpath seems to peter out but if you keep in the NW direction you eventually hit a T junction with a bridleway where we turned right.

The bridleway lead us to a rural road where we turned right and followed the road for about 400 metres. There were not many mushrooms about, we theorised that the conditions were perhaps not quite right, perhaps it was too warm. There was the odd clump about but not the usual abundance. We soon turned off and followed a path though a small wood then across a field with a crop in it. The small wood had lots of holly in it which had more than the usual amount of berries on it, the birds are in for a treat this winter.

Eventually we hit the track, called Shire Lane, that leads to Hastoe but we turned right away from Hastoe but back to Cholesbury. The lane is a great one to cycle down from the Hastoe end because it is just slightly down hill all the way and you can keep a fair lick going. At the end of the lane we hit the road again which we followed back to Cholesbury cricket ground, just round the bend and after a dip in the road, you can get off the road and go via the woods adjacent to it.

We both agreed that it was a nice short walk, 4.5 miles and took us 1 hour and 40 minutes. There was not many birds about, probably because it was around the middle of the day, traditionally very quiet.

Porthleven to Poldu Cove

Very sunny morning after rain over night, might need the poncho today as showers are forecast. We drove to Poldu Cove to catch the bus. It is a lovely little beach and the waves were rolling in, they looked surfablen and the sign about surfing etiquette confirmed that it is a surfing beach. We spotted our first sand martins of the holiday, nesting in the sandy edges of the beach as well as skimming over the stream that runs down the beach.

The bus was late but we expected that the one we got the other day left Lizard on time but was late to Mullion. There were a couple of people I recognised from the bus the day before. We were soon in Helston high street which has a feature you don’t see very often. Each site of the road between the pavement and the rod there is a foot wide stream of flowing water. The bus stopped very close to a taxi rank, and one was waiting and took us to the car park near Penrose house.

From the carpark we walked through the park attached to the house, which is very mature woodland, but not many birds. The path runs along the edge of the body of water called the Loe. It is I guess what used to be an estuary which has been blocked over at the sea end by a sand bar. The pebbles on the bar were really polished.

The wind was blowing strongly not really tshirt weather, but the sun was shining bright. We walked along the cliff above the beach to Baulk point, where we had lunch. Helen made phone call on her mobile and claimed that Marconi being near by had something to do with the excellent signal!

We meandered on past Green Rock and on to Church Cove where we had a look at a small church, called Church of Storms, nestled behind the rocks. The wood work in and around the church was carved perhaps reflecting the carpentry skills of boat builders who would have been around in years gone by. The roof itself looked a bit like the inside of an upturned boat hull.

Round the next headland was Poldu Cove our walk was over quicker than we had anticipated. The weather held out for us, I think we were very lucky, at one point we had a shower to the north and a shower to the south. As it was still early afternoon (1430) we decided to have a look at Porthleven harbour.

We parked up for free in a side street in Porthleven and walked round the harbour, I got a couple of panoramas for processing later.

Whilst on Loe Bar I found a bird ring GB 11 S 42133, which it turns out is for a homing pigeon, I submitted the details and got back very quickly details of the owner who lives in Redruth. At least he knows that his bird was lost in action.

St Anthony in Meneage circular walk

Not such an early start this morning, we thought a more leisurely day was in order. We drove to St Anthony in Meneage to do a circular walk via Helford, which is near Frenchmans Creek made famous by Daphne Du Maurier. Getting to the start was a mini adventure we had to do manoeuvre round a dust cart and turn back due to a closed road. The roads in Cornwall can be unforgiving with their walls on each side so it is best to give them plenty of space.

After parking up (£2) we headed off up the river bank until we could no more, then joined the very narrow road. It made a change to be in very lush habitat that you find around valleys with streams at the bottom. In Manaccan we stopped at a coffee shop recommended by a talkative, and friendlky lady we had met on the way. 2 cappucinos and a pain au chocolat £5.80 reasonable.

More woodland valley followed on the way to Helford where we assisted some lost walkers. At Helford the heavens opened and we had to take shelter under a tree for a while, which gave me the opportunity to get this blog entry up to date. From Helford we headed along the permissive path along the head land which is part of the Maenporth estate. It is wooded and we finally added coal tit and long-tailed tit to the holiday list. The path dropped don to sea level many times and we stopped at one beach and had our lunch, cheese sandwiches again.

A bit further on a beach was invaded by a landing part of children in sailing boats being towed by two power boats. Towards the end of the headland we ended up doing a bit a circuit where the path is not very well signposted. Luckily the walk had been fairly short and we were not tired, so the extra walking was not an issue. We eventually got back to the car where I took a panorama picture of the river which was not full of water.

On the way back we took a detour to have a look at Coverack. Once back to the hut we went to the pub for a pint but it was closed. I took another panorama from the opposite side of the valley.

Mullion to Lizard Point (11 miles)

Woke up this morning to very bright sun, however the weather is supposed to turn a bit later. We were up relatively early made sandwiches and drove down to the green at Lizard to catch the bus to Mullion then walk back to the car.
The bus was a popular choice the people waiting more or less filled it up. After stopping at a couple villages and doing three point turns, we arrived at Mullion cricket pitch. There followed some confusion I had decided to leave the map at the hut but take a photo of it, trouble was I missed Mullion.

After asking 3 people we eventually found the coastal path. The weather was great the sun was out but there was a breeze to take the edge off the heat. We followed the path Helen spotted a seal.

We stopped for lunch at a place with a view, the cheese sandwiches tasted all the better for it. A bright green beetle landed on Helen and was not in a hurry to fly away. I got some photo’s and video of it. It really was tucking into the grape I dropped.

At one point I had a look over the cliff edge and spotterd some movement, through the bins I could see bird of prey chicks. We debated them into Peregrins but when an adult Kestrel turned up and fed them it settled the argument.

We were getting very tired as we approached Lizard Point but we found the time to have a look for the Choughs and were rewarded with cracking views followed by a fly past. The cafe was welcome we had a soft drink and shared an ice cream. We then headed back to the car via a less troden path.

We took the opportunity to whizz over to Helston sainsbury’s to get a card reader and the car washed. A long day but very enjoyable.

Cadgwith to Lizard Point and back (8.7 miles).

Holiday really starts today, the first day when we would normally be at work, didn’t get up till 830. After had some breakfast and coffee, was soon diying to get out and away from day time TV.
The aim was to walk towards Lizard Point and see how far we could get.
The coastal path is quite hard walking but the rewards, in terms of views and wildlife are well worth the effort. Some highlights included, Linnet, Stonechat, Sedge Warbler, and Whitethroat. By about 12 we had got to Housel Bay Hotel the cappucino is highly recommended, don’t forget to dip your biscotti for the sugar rush. Next stop was to be the light house.
We found a quiet space before Lizard Point to have our sandwiches and to test out the Moomins flash. Sandwiches were lovely and the coffee was still hot enough. At Lizard Point there was the usual tourist shops and tea establishments, the RSPB were doing a Chough watch, apparently there were three young, we hung around for a bit and saw the parents return to feed them.
From the most southerly point we headed in to Lizard village where there are more shops and we manged to pick up some rolls and bread for sandwiches later in the week. On the way past a farm we spotted a bird of prey sat on a hedgerow we could not decide what it was, eventually it took off and it was obviously a Buzzard we had tried to turn it into all sorts of other exotic things!
Eventually we turned and headed back to the coast, and when we took a rest to eat our last roll, we spotted another Chough, it is always far more rewarding to find them yourself that to have them pointed out.
We were then soon back at the hut, for a well earned rest, it was blissful to get the boots off. We plan to go to the pub for some food later, watch this space for a restaurant review.

College Lake

Such a nice day on Sunday I decided to take a trip round College lake with the Father in-law. We arrived at about 13:00 and parked up, BBOWT do not charge an entrance fee but suggest a £2 parking donation. The new visitors centre is very airy, there is an exhibition and a cafe area. The cafe area used to be on the north side of the site in a wooden building, but now you have to enter the site via the new one.

I must add that I have never really been a fan of college lake, I am not sure why maybe because the hides were very distant from the birds. The walk round was to change my opinion, there are now some new hides and well as some of the old ones. The water area close to the centre has been left to flood after they had done some earthworks, and the new hides are well placed to take advantage of the new waterscape.

We headed off toward the Bulbourne side first, it was the middle of the day so there was not much birding action to be seen, but we did spot a hovering Kestrel. Down over the opposite end to the center we came across a toad crossing the path, then went into the newly planted area which is a sort meadow area, there were some shrubs that were covered in the lady birds, lucking the indigenous species. When you turn back towards the center there are a couple of old bits of machinery reminding you that the site was once a chalk quarry.

From the new hide on the bund we saw the Ruff that they had told us about at the visitors centre. I will certainly return, later on the the year.

Walk round Cholesbury (2 Hours)

We met up with A&C for a walk round Cholesbury and were in the woods by 11:15. The weather was sunny but there was still a little nip in the air. We went past the church where some distant relative from the 1800’s have a grave, then kept to the woods and headed towards Hastoe.

At one point we came a cross a wooded area where someone had put on display lads of small fairies, and wind chimes. There was no explanation for them being there, I suggested that someone could not think what to do with a large collection they had so let them free in the woods. They were all nailed in place so they were hardly free to roam.

As we got close to Hastoe it was time to take a right and then start heading back to wards where we started. There was quite a lot of bird activity going on this time of year is a good time because the birds are becoming territorial and you can still see into the trees because the leaves are not out yet. The high lights were three buzzards soaring on the thermals and two woodpeckers doing large circuits of and area as if they were courting or chasing each other.

As we got back towards the car we came across two bumblebees one dead and the other one crawling. I took a couple of pictures and a video. Looking at the video later the bee had quite a few ticks on it. I don’t think they were the cause of death as some internet research suggested that they were harmless.

Once back at the car we parked up at the Half Moon for some lunch in the pub garden where it was only just warm enough to be comfortable. The food was up to the usual good standard. All in all a great walk and meal in good company. We were back in time to watch the boat race and Oxford won by a country mile.

Walk in the rain

We were up for breakfast at 09:00, but lingered because the weather did not look promising. We left the pub at about 10:00 and dumped my car at Warblerswick the plan was to walk back to the pub, via Dunwich, the heath and Minsmere. After a short beach section we headed in land across the marshes and reed beds, toward the disused windmill. It was grey, not too cold, and not raining we were out in the fresh air so we were happy.

When we got to the windmill we found that the footpath was closed and fenced off, we decided we would do what other people had done and carry on regardless, we had walked all that way and we had not had any warnings that might have made us take an alternative route. The half made p[ath was very muddy as it had been laid with grey clay from the marsh, then there was a section with gravel which was like walking on a beach, but it soon passed and we were heading past Dingle Great Hill (all of 12 feet in elevation!). We walked throught the woods overlooking Dingle Marsh and saw seom lovely isolated houses and soon entered the village of Dunwich a lot of which is now under the sea.

The planned stop at the fish and chip place was cancelled because it was closed, from November to March, it was also raining and there was no shelter. We ended up in the The Ship Inn for lunch rather that having the Heidi Pies we had bought in Southwold the day before. I had some shell on prawns, and the others had goat cheese toasties which looked really nice. We had to eventually drag our selves out of the pub and into the rain.

We headed up the hill then eventually over and onto Dunwich Heath where we were hoping to see Dartford Warblers, but there were to remain elusive. It had started to rain so we stopped off at the NT Coastgaurd Cottages for tea and cakes. Whilst we were in the cafe it stopped raining but it soon started again as we headed down off the heath to Minsmere, and the south hide.

During the whole walk we had not really seen a soul and the south hide was no exception, we had the place to oursleves it was a welcome break from the rain. There was not much to see as it was a bit early in the year, but we managed to identify a Med Gull and a Little gull. We woke Helen up and set off back to the pub via the sluices, just as we turned in land at the sluices it started to really rain, so mush so that I had to get the poncho out. We walked the last mile or so in the pouring rain, but still managed to add Barnacle goose to the weekend list. As we go back to the pub the rain stopped, Nik and I went off to pick up the car and the Helen’s went off to see if they could see the barns owls.

In the way back to the car we came across quite a few Muntjac in our headlights. We picked up the car went back to the pub, watched the remaining half of England thrashing France at rugby and then headed to the bar for something to eat and drink. Another great day despite the weather.

Ice Mushrooms

Very cold this morning but Helen managed to drag me outside by 10am, for what turned out to be a brisk, short sharp walk round Dancersend. We parked up where Dancersend lane flattens out next to some houses and marked past the manor then licked up the footpath that heads across the corn field towards to the hills on the horizon.

It was absolutely freezing and even after 20 minutes walking in thermals we were still cold. Once we hit the hills we turned right towards the old victorian pump house that feed the hidden reservoir. Along the foot path we saw those ice extrusions I have mentioned in the past. I think they might be caused by the really wet ground pushing the water up by capilliary action with then freezes when it hits the cold. Some we saw were several centimetres long, Helen called them Ice Mushrooms and I think that is a good name for them.

At the pump house we crossed the road to enter Dancersend nature reserve, we came across a couple each with a child in rucksack on their back, and a very boisterous large puppy, looked a bit like and Irish Wolfhound it was bounding around all over the place. We headed clockwise round the reserve up the hill and then through the woods to the bottom of the reserve. There was a lot a shooting going on around the valley it it a really shame as the blasts really spoil the tranquillity of the place.

We headed out of the reserve and joined the road at the pond on the bend below the manor. So we were soon up the road and back to the car it had been a short walk but we were glad that we made the effort. Not much bird life other than Tits, Goldfinch and a couple of Jays. We decided we would have a go at a recipe I found on the internet for Cannellini Beans in tomato sauce, that meant a trip to Tesco for some beans and a visit to the cinema to watch Black Swan with Natalie Portman.

I have since found out the ice extrusions are probably ice needles as per the Wikipedia article