Blog
The articles on this page are from 'Charlie's Travelogue Blog', and placed in chronological order.
Southwood Reserve (10th January 2021)
It began yesterday. Remember there will be moments of wit.
There is something that generally calms you down about a walk through countryside. I suppose it's the serenity that comes with it, your time out of modern living and into the natural side of things.
Also, this is a possible glimpse into the effects of Brexit on our nation (Yes I am a remainer and will not shut up about it). So it was, when looking out across the mist, there was calm, a bleakness like the Yorkshire Dales. Even though the day was REALLY cold, this was a wondrous scene. Clearly it was nice for the birds; there was an Egret and Heron gathered around the relatively small space with Farnborough just outside. This is important to deal with the lockdown, when loneliness is a serious issue.
Sulham Woods to Wilder's Folly (15th January 2021)
This time I'm taking on a new challenge; the objective being Wilder's Folly, an 18th Century tower some distance away. Across the swathes of forest, I was set to reach this place, although it was going to be a tough journey.
​
The Folly was a few kilometres away. Now the last place I went to was literally a walk in the park; this was tough. These woods were beautiful, trees so still rising up above the dark forest floor, and a clear day with some blue sky. However, the slopes and wet terrain made progress tricky, a true hike through the woods. After enduring this for some time though, the Folly was in sight.
​
It wasn't the building itself that caught me; it was the land around it. This was a Neoclassical designed structure, just placed in the middle of a bare field. After centuries it was still relatively stable, but it was just a shell of stone, worn away and left alone. As for the woodland on the way back, I tried to walk an easier path back but annoyingly it was just as arduous as before, not helped by the cold there. When I almost completed the journey, I considered Wilder's Folly and how it compared to the forests; as enduring as the tower is, I'm quite certain the woodland will far outlive it.
Wildwood Heath (25th January 2021)
The main topic to take away from this journey was stillness. This heath was a calm scene but it was dramatic in the bleakness of it; there was a clear sky and a wide open space. Of course, it was really cold, and the ice meant extra caution when walking through this place, but it was easy going down the routes.
​
What also struck me, was the combination of light and dark here. In the sunlight, it was a glorious, bright scene; then the obscured areas had a desolated essence about them, as if abandoned by the sunshine. It was a surprise how the heath combined these extremes into a single place, a beautiful heath where the bleak environment brought a richness of setting that for me, was just incredible.
River Thames (8th February 2021)
Now, two things to begin with. First, that this is the stretch of Thames around Henley-On-Thames, and secondly that this was the most complicated trip I've done for this. The river was flooded, as you can see, but this was coupled with the truly biting cold. The picture left, that's a park flooded and frozen! However, I thought this was the ideal setting to capture some wildlife; waterbirds were abundant around the river. Tufted Ducks, as seen below, were gathered in small groups alongside swathes of Canada geese. What made this so tricky was that the first route I took was so wet I had to continue on the other side. As I was heading back the other way, with a freezing wind, I was wondering if this was a good idea. It was then afterwards, that the walk became a surprise.
​
As I travelled away from the town, I came across an open space of grass, just beside the river. It felt bleak, as did the trees alongside it; then I heard them, and saw them. There were parakeets in the branches! A vivid green against the bark, something I'd never seen outside the London Area. Also, tributaries flooded too, allowing Mallard Ducks to swim through the woods. This abundance of species was a surprise, something that I didn't expect in winter. Although, in a place like this, the waterbirds surely felt right at home.
Savernack Forest (14th February 2021)
Today I've been to this place, an ancient woodland stretching for miles. It was originally owned by Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry the Eighth; ever since then it has been cared for by private ownership, now cared for by the Forestry Commission. As a consequence, the Savernake Forest has remained pretty-much pristine; when I set off there was evidence of maintaining the forests' welfare. The trees were cloaked in carpets of moss and lichen around the woods, animals appeared in this well kept haven. The most impressive sight of all though were the most ancient trees.
​
These trees, almost certainly, are over many centuries old. As a result they've grown into giants, dominating the forest around them. So many years of growing and rebuilding have shaped the trees into extraordinary shapes, with their contorted branches and twisted trunks. The most bizarre of them was a tree known as "Old Paunchy", whose trunk had grown outwards and created a huge mound of wood and bark, covered in mounds of moss. These majestic organisms are a reminder of how forests provide so much for us; they are important in our wellbeing, creating areas of peace and calm and reducing the effects of depression and stress. The forest has been protected for centuries, and in doing so has created this wondrous environment; something needed for the forests across our country. That is something that's worth protecting now.
​
Hambledon Mill Circular Route
(19th February 2021)
Today, I have been on a serious journey. Over 10 kilometres long, my sister and I hiked across the countryside, heading towards Hambleden Mill a distance away. The first stage was a narrow track enclosed by trees, opening up into a wider forest; here the moss spread out to form islands above the ground amongst bare trees. Then we arrived at the rolling fields, vast across the landscape and encircled by birds all around. Eventually, we reached the Thames river where we headed onwards.
​
When we arrived at the mill, it was crowded with waterbirds, staying alongside the heavy flowing water. This stretch of the Thames was lined with imposing trees, across flat bare ground. As we approached Henley-On-Thames, there were beautiful buildings along the river; the one below was designed to be a fishing lodge centuries ago. As we reached the end of the journey back at Henley, the conclusion was that despite the endurance, the route was absolutely worth it. Even on this dreary day, the sense of serenity was abound and certainly I would walk this route again.
Cookham Moor (26th February 2021)
With spring almost here, and a day as sunny as this, I thought it was a perfect day to head out. I wasn't disappointed, the scenery was more beautiful and serene then anywhere I've been to for this blog. I first went towards the river, which shone against the sunshine. The calm waters brought a huge number of birds, including the Crested Grebe in the picture below. After walking along the still river, I reached the point where I had to cross the fields to reach the moor. It was definitely worth it.
​
The land alongside the hills was boggy, with areas of flooded water alongside tangled trees. Outside of the sun some areas seemed bleak, but the sunlight brought a ray of shine across the hills. This is what the blog is all about; exploring the world to see the vividness of nature. Today was, without doubt, the best trip out yet.
Virginia Lake (8th March 2021)
This route circled around the lake and includes many detours through the parklands where the lake resides. The first leg of the journey began at the southern edge of the lake, and would carry on up the eastern side. As expected, there was a vast array of wildlife, predominantly waterbirds such as geese, ducks, coots and many others. The park also contained interesting structures including a massive totem pole many stories high and intricately carved. As we ventured away from the water's edge, we arrived at the gardens, maintained constantly. With spring here, the flowers were beginning to appear; Rhododendrons of all kinds bloomed with striking colours.
​
Then there was the Heath Garden, where Heath flowers spread as sweeping carpets across the grounds. Eventually, we reached the lake again and with the sunshine arriving it was glorious; clear, still water spread over the horizon. After walking to the ruins, standing in defiance to nature, we arrived at the Virginia Cascade, a waterfall travelling down rows of huge rocks. This journey was a truly wondrous experience, as Spring returns and with it the beauty of nature that's so important now.
Maidenhead Thicket
(17th March 2021)
The thicket, close to the city of Maidenhead, is a protected and well maintained environment. Nature is clearly abundant here, with birdsong across the trees. On the forest floor, moss has grown up small plants, creating the appearance of tiny conifer trees; elsewhere Ivy gathered across the branches of trees.
​
The most interesting place in the thicket was "Robin Hood's Arbour" (bottom centre), a 17th century road used by travellers between towns and cities. As a result, it was patrolled by outlaws, ready to ambush any travellers and take anything of value to them.In my previous post, I talked about how important nature is in helping with depression. This trip seems to me an extension on that; the serenity of nature was apparent here, even on a grey day like this.
Ambarrow Court (26th March 2021)
Now, the first thing I should mention is that this was not my first choice; there were road closures preventing me from reaching there. While driving around though I stumbled across this place, which although smaller than recent places I've been to, still had beautiful scenery. The name comes from a country retreat built here in 1885; only a meadow remains (bottom right), surrounded by the woodland. The woods were well kept, and with spring here, the flowers were appearing too.
​
The daffodils were spread out across the forest, alongside tangled trees. The most impressive trees were around the hill nearby; tall conifers standing together all around. The best view was at the top of the hill where you could reach up towards the canopy. This place, which I hadn't planned to see, shows how nature can surprise you in many different ways.
