Holmebrook Valley Park, Linacre Woods, Old Brampton
We left the car park beside the café, walked down to the lake and entered the wood heralded by birdsong and the sound of swift running water in the nearby stream. These natural sounds were replaced by the shooting of rifles coming from the distance. We walked along the edge of a massive field of golden barley, up twelve steps and down again into a wood, as we got nearer and nearer to the rifle fire. At a field hedge, we spotted three men standing behind a screen and wondered if they were aiming at pigeons.
As we stepped into the open countryside, we enjoyed seeing and feeling the sun on our faces and strode towards Holme Hall estate and then in the direction of Ashgate Hospice. We made a right turn and were met by beautiful views near Leadhill Farm and the uplifting sound of church bells in the early evening time of a sunny, calm Sunday in July.
We collapsed in a field to eat and drink with the church bells of St. Peter & St. Paul, Old Brampton still serenading us. This building is a Grade 1 listed, 12th century church and was celebrating the ordination of Revd. Gill Ball as priest in a Choral Evensong with a quarter peal – 45 minutes of non-stop bell ringing.
Soon we were into the quiet stillness of another wood and battled our way down an overgrown path avoiding nettles and brambles as best we could, then cautiously made our way down a steep, gravel path to arrive at the middle reservoir. We finished the walk via the same route that we had begun it and the three men were still standing behind the screen. The hedgerows were a riot of colour with dog roses, yarrow, the
pink and white flowers of the blackberry bushes, clover, buttercups, thistles and Jacob’s ladder all competing with each other for space as they sought out the warmth of the sun.
We had an Ahh! moment as we trudged past Holmebrook Valley lake; we spotted a huddle of tiny ducklings sleeping on a fisherman’s platform and shaded by the greenery rising up from the water’s edge. The mother duck was standing guard.
We arrived back at the church gates at 7pm after a delightful walk in our local area and with many thanks to our leader, Eric.
Please be at the church gates at 4pm for the next walk on Sunday 7th August. New members are always welcome.
Evelyn Lowe