Pete's Walks - Kensworth, Markyate, Studham, Whipsnade (page 1 of 3)
I did this local walk on Friday, 18th December, 2009. There had been 3-4 inches of snow overnight, and I simply couldn't resist going out in it! I left home about 9.30am, with the intention of doing my 'Kensworth and everywhere' walk in the clockwise direction. I'd done it the opposite way round in the snow back in February, when the day had started sunny but clouded over about noon. The forecast was similar for today, so my plan was therefore to do the walk the other way round and so photograph some nice sunny snow scenes of the part of the walk that had been grey and gloomy on that previous occasion. The advantage of this route is that it is never more than a few miles from my home, so there are numerous places where I can cut it short if I need to. As it happened, I had to do that today, returning home from Whipsnade via Whipsnade Heath and missing out all of the Downs and Kensworth quarry. This was mainly because the snow was knee-deep in places, which meant I averaged only about 2mph instead of my normal 3mph, and also because it grew very dark and grey with more snow obviously on the way (in fact I got home about an hour before the snow started again, and it didn't last very long anyway).
Regular visitors to this site (if there are any!) will be very familiar with these paths, but at least the photos look different in the snow!
As I made my way along the Whipsnade Road, I discovered why it had been closed yesterday afternoon - there was obviously a burst water main, with water gushing along the left-hand side of the road. I was obviously the first person to use the path to Dovehouse Lane today, as there were no footprints to guide me. The Lane itself was a bit icy in places and I trod with care as I made my way down to Buckwood Lane. Despite the snow, the perpetually muddy bit at the start of the path up to Holywell was still muddy somehow.
The Whipsnade Road, heading out of Kensworth. The water on the left of the road is the result of a burst water main, the reason this road was closed the day before.
The path from the Whipsnade Road to Dovehouse Lane
Dovehouse Lane
The path on the edge of Holywell
At Holywell I turned left, following a path through a small wood and then across a huge open field where again mine were the first footsteps. I went a few yards left along Byslips Road, then along the edge of Byslips Wood to reach another huge open field. Here I turned left, following the border of the field beside Byslips and Dedmansey woods. I met a dog on its own coming the other way - it looked at me carefully and decided to take a wide detour through the field to avoid me (I have the same affect on women). I glimpsed a large bird fly out of the wood as I neared the corner by the farm buildings of Buckwood Stubbs. I assumed it was a Buzzard as I've seen them here several times before, but as I passed the corner I glimpsed it again and from the size, shape and coloration of its wings I'm fairly certain it was a Red Kite (and I did see one here just a few months ago).
Looking back to Holywell, from the path to Byslips Road
Looking back to Holywell, from the path to Byslips Road
Byslips road
Start of the path beside Byslips and Dedmansey Woods
The path beside Byslips and Dedmansey Woods
I now encountered my first deep snow of the walk. It had drifted all the way along the track from the farm buildings at Buckwood Stubbs for several hundred yards, and I was sinking in up to my knees at every step. I tried to go along the field edge at one point, but found that was equally deep. I usually love walking in snow, but this was a bit too much like hard work! The deep snow carried on for several hundred yards, even after the path left the farm track, as it had drifted against the hedgerow on my right. This made for very slow and laborious going as I made my way eventually to Buckwood Road, just on the edge of Markyate. The walk had taken an hour and three quarters so far, half an hour longer than usual, so I knew already I wouldn't be able to do the whole route I'd intended to do.
Looking back from just past the farm buildings of Buckwood Stubbs - this was the first tough section, where the snow came up to my knees
The path continuing towards Markyate
The path to Markyate - I had difficulty opening this kissing-gate because of the depth of snow around it
Looking back from the path to Markyate
Approaching Markyate
Buckwood Road, on the edge of Markyate