Virginia Water, at the top of Windsor Great Park has been on my radar for a year. The Ramblers walk there regularly during the week, but that counts me out. So today I negotiated the traffic around Windsor and found my way there. The weather wasn't particularly good but you can't let that stop you on this little island otherwise you will stay home an awful lot of the time.
I started from Blacknest Gate and headed across the lake, dam, big pond, reservoir? Not sure what to call this body of water. It's man made, created in 1753. A grand ambition. Though there was a huge storm in 1768 which destroyed the pondhead and drained the lake. It was rebuilt by in 1781 and again in 1784 but the rebuild in 1790 created the dimensions seen today.
Crossing the Five Arch Bridge I headed towards the beautiful Valley Gardens.
I know this Park has been used by hunters for centuries, but I'm pretty sure this isn't what they looked like.
Turns out this colourful gentleman belongs to Sikh Relief, an aid organisation who were holding an event in the gardens today. This event was in aid of Nepal disaster relief and they do amazing work, definitely a case of putting their money where their mouths are. They were also handing out delicious cupcakes to passers by. Note to other charities - cupcakes enhance attention and listening abilities (tongue firmly embedded in
During WWII, the lake was drained as it's distinctive shape reflecting in the moonlight could be used by enemy pilots for night guidance.
Moving away from the water I headed up into the Valley Gardens and towards the Plunket Memorial
with it's spectacular view down to the water. Such a peaceful place.
A brief respite then moving on past a giant redwood along the Canadian Avenue.
And coming to a giant totem pole! This was a gift from the people of British Columbia to the Queen in 1958. It's 100 feet high and carved from a 600 year old, single log of western red cedar.
Some more teenage swans and ducks
More than half way round, definitely time for tea and cake. It was good.
I think this is not the best time of the year for the Cascade Waterfall - it was completely underwhelming! I suppose it is the end of summer and perhaps in a month or so there will have been some rain. Apparently the autumn colours here are some of the best in the UK, I'll have to come back and check them out.
Here's a taste of those colours. Berries starting to appear everywhere.
Another surprise - ruins! A 200 year old set of Roman ruins imported (that's a polite way of putting it) by George III from the ancient Roman city of Leptis Magna on the North African coast near Tripoli, Libya in 1818. Prescient perhaps considering what's happening in that part of the world at the moment. There used to be statues but the Victorians vandalised them and they were removed for safekeeping. So safe in fact that some have never been seen again.
By this stage I was almost all the way round the lake and had a really good view of the Five Arches Bridge, so that was my walk.
I haven't done much walking over the summer and my feet were taking some strain. Time to head home and put them up. Just a couple of flowers for you because they are so pretty.
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