Colne Brook & Ankerwyke Estate 11 October 2015

I didn't initially think that I had any interesting pics for this blog post, but then I edited them and realised that in fact, it was quite a lovely walk. Possibly too much talking happened to actually notice until later.

The walk started in Wraysbury and all the signs of autumn are everywhere.  We followed the Colne Brook, going round quite a couple of quarries which were used to build the M4 and had filled up with water since then.

 

When the Thames, which is quite close by, floods, the whole area is under water. As far back as 1852 somebody took the time to carve all these words to mark an exceptional water level.

 

 

Its pretty damp - obviously ideal conditions for fungi - aren't these special?

Crossing the railway line which doesn't run on a Sunday we came on to the banks of the Thames and followed the river for a while.

Then into the fields and heading for the Ankerwycke Estate we found the ruins of a Benedictine Nunnery founded in the reign of King Henry II - 1133 to 1189.

Also in the estate in quite a hidden corner is one of the 50 oldest trees in the UK - an ancient Yew - apparently around 2000 years old! Can you just imagine that?  It's huge, big enough to hide a mini Cooper behind.

On the homeward journey we walked through the churchyard of St Andrews and notice that he seemed to have lost his head!