Sunday, June 28, 2015

Up to Dunstable Downs


Another good weekend meant another good walk in the countryside. This time we headed north to Bedfordshire and enjoyed the views of Dunstable Downs. Noted for its hilltop breezes, Dunstable downs is home to amateur kite-fliers and novice para-gliders. This day was no different.

 
  
Our 6.5-mile walk took us along some of the oldest known roads in England dating back to the Roman occupation.
 
 
 
In addition to the rolling wheat fields,



there were wild cherries ripening,



old-fashioned fragrant roses,



poppy patches,



an archery range,




the London Glider Club,



a convenient - yet uncomfortable -  couch carved from a tree trunk,



these guys, of course,



and some interesting posts with different colored glass discs. I have no idea what they're for, but have sent messages to several places hoping to get an answer. Once I hear back I'll update this post.  So, you know, you guys can sleep at night.



Then it was back up the hill to the kite-fliers and para-gliders.



From there we took a short drive to the Pitstone Windmill. At one time there were 35 of these beauties dotting the landscape. Now this is the only one left.












4 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures and what a lot going on in a relatively small area. I have no idea what those glass discs are.

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  2. Thank you, Maggie, it was really a lovely place to visit. And so many families up at the visitor centre with their kites and a picnic hamper. There were also gliders and - if you can believe it - parachuting as well.

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  3. Beautiful pics of a childhood haunt of mine. Afraid I have no idea about those signs either! I'm guessing you didn't make it to the white lion at whipsnade? Lots of kite and model aircraft flyers there...

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    1. Thank you, Lady Ella. We did not get over to the white lion although we could see him on our walk. We had planned to go to the Tree Cathedral too but will have to save that for next time as well. And next time definitely a kite!

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As always, your comments are welcomed and insights appreciated.