28th April
Our annual Bluebell-fest (see here and here). We’re at Dockey Wood by 6-45am and we have the place to ourselves, except for two hard-core photographers. It may be my imagination, but I think the display is marginally less spectacular this year. Perhaps the recent hot weather or yesterday’s heavy rain and high winds have taken their toll….nevertheless, the colours are still breath-taking. As is traditional, we wander around looking like rank amateurs, taking a few snaps, before leaving the Wood for The Coombe via Ward’s Hurst Farm. The smell of wild garlic is strong as we walk through The Coombe and we have the place to ourselves.
We arrive at Crawley Wood as a gaggle of Chinese tourists with big cameras decamp from a large BMW. It seems they’ve arrived for wedding pictures amongst the bluebells. We take a few more snaps and once again retire.
The walk across Clipper Down and back to the car is easy and punctuated only by joggers and early morning MAMILs, I can handle them! A 3.9 mile walk and a great way to start the day before morning church.
Ashridge Bluebells picture gallery (more pictures on Flickr):
Distance: 3.9 miles ; Difficulty: Easy
Coordinates for Satnav: N51° 48.456′ W0° 35.494′
Ashridge Bluebells walk profile
Where Angells Tread! 