Elephant walk, October 17th 2020. 7 miles led by Ruth

This late addition to the calender booked up fully within a few hours.  Ruth worried that we were going to have 7 ramblers - not entirely illegal as we are a regulated sporting activity, but beyond the club guidelines. No need to stress - 6 set off from Woburn car park with the sun shining!" Lots of deer in the Woburn deer park, then we headed for the bear enclosure. Before we could turn on the camera to photograph a large black bear, a loudspeaker instructed us to return to the footpath. 

 

 

We paused for a swig of water at the entrance to the Safari Park, commented on the entrance fee - £29 per adult, £19 per child -  then passed the footpath that goes down the side of the elephants - the one that is to be diverted.  They have made it difficult to see for free with the netting. But we have ways and means of taking photographs!

There were several females on the left and a big male on the left. We also saw half a dozen ostriches, then later a few wallabies. Freeview over, we stopped for coffee on a log then made for the road, turning right. Ruth kept holding the group up by picking up chestnuts.

We turned down a small footpath before reaching Husborne Crawley village hall. It looked as if it went into someone's garden but soon it passed through a newly planted woodland and into Crow Lane. As I had hoped, no-one had ever walked this footpath before. We then had lunch at Husborne Crawley church, admiring the greensand stones. There was plenty of seating, in the Lych gate, in the porch or out on a grave stone. We then headed towards Aspley Guise and to Birchmoor farm, passing some wonderful fungi growing on the stumps of the old horse chestnut tree.  I couldn't confidently identify them so sadly they are not to be eaten.

The bridge had been removed at the shortcut to the playground. Some of us jumped over the stream, Beryl and Hillary decided to go the long way round  To our amazement they were well ahead of us on the high street - obviously it is NOT a shortcut!

The walk will be repeated next Saturday due to demand.