Versions Of A Walk

Sometimes the kind of walk you enjoy depends on other factors than where you go and what kind of weather you get. Sometimes my walks vary according to the version of myself that sets out to explore the countryside.

The first living creature encountered on this walk was a Red Admiral butterfly feeding on the ivy. For whatever reason butterflies have been scarce on my travels this summer, and those I have met made it clear they had no intention to linger. But this was an odd day weather-wise - chilly, breezy, but with warm sun in sheltered spots. This little creature was too busy lapping up nectar and sunshine to take much notice of me.

Just across the water from Amwell Nature Reserve there's a wood. The birdwatchers who gather here know that on sunny days there are often birds of prey riding the thermals above the treetops. I once saw seventeen Common Buzzards circling there. It may have been that day when I first set off to see if there was a way into the wood, for if there are birds of prey then there will be other creatures present too.

So I must have soon passed this delightful scene, known as Tumbling Bay according to the map. On that first occasion I was looking for birds and probably encountered a selection of the more common wildfowl. This time, although I had an eye out for birds, my mind was more set on searching for pretty pictures.

And butterflies of course! This one allowed me even closer.

We were briefly sidetracked towards Hollycross Lake, which is sometimes a place for dragonflies - or water voles, if you're lucky. Not too bad scenically either.

And then we followed the valley of the River Ash for a while. Jays were calling and to my ear sounded as if they were complaining about the injustice of it all. Meanwhile a Buzzard mewed in its sympathetic but world-weary way. You can actually see the Buzzard in the centre of the shot, just above the trees. There's a peculiarly English beauty to this section of the walk, despite the presence of earth-moving machinery and chain-saws down beside the river. Or more accurately BECAUSE of said machines; they are involved in a long-term project to restore this chalk-stream.

This Comma butterfly maybe appreciates the combined efforts of the Wildlife Trusts and the farmer to tip the balance more in nature's favour. If I'd had my documentary or environmental head on I'd have taken photos of the way they are encouraging the river to meander, but today I was searching out those pretty views.

That's looking back and you can see that we are circling the "buzzard wood", which is on the left as we see it in the above photo. And, just as I discovered all those years ago when first I came this way, it's protected by little signs saying "Private Property". There's also a sign on the road which proclaims that it's a Christian college, though the buildings are completely hidden by the trees. 

There's something about the farms and fields around here that shouts to me that this was once all part of a big estate, probably centred on that large building, now a college, in among the trees. As we walked around the wood this was more or less confirmed by stylish houses called "North Lodge" and "South Lodge" on the roads leading in; these were the old gatekeepers' lodges. Other similar buildings on the periphery probably housed gamekeepers or perhaps farm managers.

The version of me who looks for birds and the one intent on taking photographs never investigated further, but this time I had Les with me and he asked a few questions which sent me off on a romp through the internet when I got home. But not before I'd photographed this Speckled Wood butterfly, another fluttering friend who was soaking up the September sun.

What I found online was that Easneye Mansion was built for Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton in 1868. His father, who had the same name and title, was responsible for eventually getting the Emancipation of Slaves bill through parliament, having been entrusted to do so by the ailing William Wilberforce. Buxton had made his fortune like many in this area from the brewing industry, but the family soon turned their attention to good works. In fact brewing porter was seen at the time as being beneficial to society as it was considered less harmful than gin, which was creating huge problems in nineteenth century London.   

The Buxtons were social reformers who were also involved in missionary work and so it was that Easneye Mansion became a Christian college aimed at creating a new kind of missionary who liaised with existing religions in far-off lands rather than trying to change beliefs. For some reason I remembered an elderly couple by the name of Buxton who lived near my mother. He was a very learned gentleman and despite a fairly modest lifestyle it was obvious that both were well-educated and came from a privileged background. A few clicks of the mouse confirmed that they were indeed related to the Easneye Buxtons. But it was not their money or learning that impressed my mum: it was their simple kindness.

The mansion is one of those heritage buildings which can not be viewed by the general public as far as I can discover. However no such restrictions apply to the Jolly Fishermen pub, just down the road in Stanstead Abbots. It was the hungry version of my brother and I that devoured substantial meals within.

Take care.