Saturday 6th August - Not strictly a Ramble

Today we went out. It wasn't a ramble but since our destination, though not 100% wheelchair user friendly proved to be a really good outing we've decided to include it here.

On the way out we copped the gate at a notorious local railway crossing which has been featuring quite heavily in the news lately. Actually we often do but today is the first time we've ever been at the front of the queue. I was quite chuffed with the crispness of the image in this shot because that's the express and she was going a fair lick!

Eventually we reached our destination - Denny Abbey. The site is not especially laid out for wheelchairs but as long as the locomotivator is fairly fit it's pretty easy to get around the whole of the ground level. The building has broad accomodating ramps. Although the upper floor is off limits the openness of the main hall gives you a good perspective and the information boards are all at ground level, clear and at a good height and distance. The coffee shop has lovely home baking and double doors. There is also a bookshop which is worth a visit, plants and crafts. Through the next couple of months they've also got a lot of adult  art & craftworkshops too.

Since the 1100's three religious orders, The Benedictines, The Knights Templar and The Poor Clares occupied the site and later two local families, The Dimmocks and The Chivers. We spent a marvellous afternoon in the company of a gentleman in his eighties who had lived there since childhood, it turned out that he and Robin shared both the same first and second given names! He told us about his amazing life, he had lived and worked on the estate for 74 years man and boy! We felt privileged to have the benefit of his company as it made the whole thing come even more alive.

There's also a museum with information about the history of farming in the area as well. This is a little harder to navigate because of the shingle pathways but we managed by going backwards and letting the big rear wheels do the work. The site is well laid out with audio presentations in each of the stalls which house a different aspect of daily life and there are some wonderful old photographs on display. We thoroughly enjoyed this too.

So not strictly a ramble but we'd highly recommend it as a largely accessible site with all the ingredients for an exciting and interesting day out.
http://www.dennyfarmlandmuseum.org.uk/

Tuesday 2nd August - Mystery Tour

This morning we woke to the soft sound of rain falling but it didn't last long and by the time breakfast was done we had enough of a blue sky to prompt a walk into the village.

After a brief stop at the corner shop (which isn't on a corner) we walked on southwards out of the village and connected with the old London Road, its not only former railway lines which make good walks.

The going is quite tough on this one though being on chalk where it's not tramac the ground is solid enough, it is quite rutted in a few places where heavy farm vehicles have been up and down to the fields and orchard but also amply wide for a wheelchair to pass as long as you pick your route carefully. I didn't and we had one hairy moment when I went into a deep scar on the path but we got out of it without too much effort on either part.

Robin was starting to worry that it was too steep for me but I've cycled this a few times since we moved here and I knew it levels out pretty soon after this point, I didn't bother mentioning it - it's nice to be fussed over sometimes!

The gateway into the orchard provided a shady respite and a charming photo opportunity - I was stunned to discover later that I had taken ninety photos this morning but there were some spectacular views.

From here the track moved into a gentle descent to the A10, we were startled by the ripe blackberries, though as we were to discover later they weren't the only early starters by a long way!

The clouds were thining out obligingly now and I probably didn't need the wet weather ponchos I'd packed but I bet it would have rained again if I'd left them behind.

A little further down the hill we came across a rabbit warren but the bunnies were all inside out of the heat of the sunshine.

We rejoined the A10, took the road back into the village and then followed another footpath that cuts across, theoretically to Bury Lane Farm

The day was starting to get quite warm and we debated whether or not to follow this path as I hadn't explored this lane previously, we had heard it was a good walk from neighbours who walked their dogs but we had no idea whether it was wheelchair user friendly. However with the rain backing off and the ground underfoot drying out nicely we decided to give it a shot.

Can you spot the rabbit? He saw us and after posing for his picture he raced the wheelchair down the track before vanishing into the undergrowth - needless to say he won!

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The track had brought us back out on the A10 quite far north of the farm we had been aiming for and, accompanied part way by a friendly cyclist who had good advice about the route that lay ahead we decided to cross over and carry on following the footpath. It passed through shady woods which were quite welcome now as the sun was rapidly gaining strength. The ground was solid underfoot and we carried on, pausing to pick fat, juicy, ripe blackberries from the hedgerows, they were all quite high up though.

A little further along we found a damson tree beside the path, this too was very heavily laden with fruit.

So were most of the less palatable berries in the hedge!

Robin spotted some fallen walnuts on the ground although these look as if they have been brought down by children or squirrels as they don't seem to be quite ready, even so given that today is only the second of August it seems likely that we're in for another tough winter.

Everything seems to be ripening early and in plentiful supply so that the local wildlife can stock up ready for the cold. Even against such a clear blue sky there's a reminder that the seasons are ever changing.

The path was clearly nearing its end now, we saw a car pass by the end of the long leafy tunnel we were wallking through.

There were a couple of surprises still to come though, the trees dropped back to a cultivated orchard and at the side it had a very overgrown waterway or pond, we weren't sure which but it's been some time since I last saw bulrushes like these outside of the botanical gardens!

And the nicest surprise of all was that this footpath finished up at the Farm shop! Robin treated me to an ice cream which we ate under a shady tree at the entrance before carrying on home for a nice cup of tea and a spot of lunch. we got back shortly after mid-day. I have to say that I'm glad we set out early as the sun had become very fierce. As I write now though, sipping a cooling lemonade shandy, the clouds are gathering and I suspect the day may well end with a thunderstorm.