Twice as much for your money !

Stephen Morse has been one of the earlybirds when it comes to walking our new extended Woodcock trail here at Coombes Valley. In a guest blog, he tells us what he made of the exciting new woodland walk:

I had to get away last Saturday afternoon (3^rd May).  My team, Fulham, whom (for no logical reason) I have followed for the last 55 years, were in danger of relegation if they lost at Stoke City ;  and so I decided to go to Coombes Valley, armed with my camera as always, in the hope of maybe getting a few bluebell pictures.  I love trees, and ‘treescapes’ are what I tend to photograph as much as anything else.

I decided to walk an anticlockwise route and, picking up one of the new leaflets, I was delighted to see the new Woodcock Trail open.  I had no idea that this had happened though I had walked the partial eastern arm before and was aware that work was being done on the western arm.  I had always hoped that there would be a circular walk connecting the two but, with a lamentable lack of lateral thinking thought, "No that's impossible, because of the valley in between".  It's as though I had thought there would have to be a valley-spanning bridge to complete the circuit !  In actuality there is an existing public footpath crossing the valley, part of which becomes the southern end of the route.

A photo by Stephen, showing some of the wilder new path.

It's clear that a great deal of time and effort (a.k.a. hard graft) has gone into creating or opening up paths that seem not to have been walked by the public for generations.  In that respect, it was a magical experience to walk the trail for the first time and I would like to express my thanks to all concerned for creating this new walk.

Judging by the map, the Woodcock Trail seems to have doubled the length of pathways under the care and protection of the RSPB at Coombes Valley.  Although the leaflet cautions that an extra 2 hours should be allowed to take in the new delights, don’t let that put you off as the walk can be completed in far less time than that.  Admittedly there are a few climbs and descents but with those come some lovely views which, as the seasons change, will justify many return visits.

Another photo from Stephen, this time showing the more open areas of the trail.

All in all, it was an unexpectedly rewarding afternoon out.  Too bad then, that, when I returned to my car at 5.00 p.m., I found out that Fulham had been thrashed 4-1 by Stoke and were relegated !

We'd love for you to come and explore the new Woodcock trail, and all of the other beautiful trails here at Coombes Valley, hopefully we'll see you here soon!
Please note, we ask for a £2 donation for carparking, free to RSPB members.