Tags
Chilterns, Cushion calamint, Forestry Commission, Harriet Mead, Lady's bedstraw, red kite, Somerset Rural Life Museum, Tom Hill, Wayfaring tree, Wendover, Wendover Woods
Buckinghamshire 4. The last day of my visit to friends was intended to be very different, a quiet walk in Wendover Woods (Forestry Commission) in the Chiltern Hills. On the way, we stopped for a coffee in Wendover.
Outside an art gallery there was a sculpture which reminded me of that by Harriet Mead which I had seen at the Somerset Rural Life Museum in June, but after a little research I think it may be by Tom Hill, who specialises in sculpting using horseshoes.
We were planning for a quiet Monday walk, but when we got to the woods, and took a while to park because of all the crowds, we were a little apprehensive. No need to worry. The vast majority of people remained around the café and children’s play area.
We scarcely saw a soul in fact. We took the ‘Firecrest Trail’, 4.5.km/2.8 miles, and its official description proved to be accurate, ‘surfaced tracks and unsurfaced woodland paths… a great way to explore different habitats.’
Chalk soil and flints, underfoot for some of the time
There were plenty of wildflowers to be seen. (These identifications are subject to any suggested corrections.)
Cushion calamint, clinopodium vulgare. The leaves certainly had a minty smell
Lady’s bedstraw, Galium verum
Wayfaring tree, viburnum lantana (I’m least sure of this one)
A convenient bench about two-thirds of the way round enabled us to rest and debate the patterns before us, especially that of the broad field in the middle distance.
We knew we were nearing the hub once more when we passed Go Ape – and were not tempted to join in. (Unlike some I know – sorry, private joke.) 
Despite the large numbers of visitors, lunch at the café was peaceful in the open air.
After all those activities, my visit finished with a quiet afternoon in the garden, where I was able to get some better pictures of red kites.
Thank you, Geoff and Jackie, for a lovely break.
Musiewild's blog 
What a splendid day out, glad the crowds didn’t bother you on your walk. I loved the horseshoe sculpture and your red kite photographs.
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I was pleased the red kites gave me a second chance.
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Looks idyllic – particularly the wild flowers and the red kites!
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It was a lovely way to finish a lovely stay.
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The red kites are a wonderful addition to the local ambience. Everyone should have some.
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Yes. They’ve been seen in eastern Somerset, but not yet breeding, I believe.
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We have some fifty miles away and very occasionally see one here.
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Go Ape? I can’t imagine what it is people do there that you didn’t “join in” for. I hope it doesn’t involve selfies…
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It’s the trade name of a company that lays on exercises climbing around trees, running across nets, swinging on ropes, and other things designed to terrify you, though you have a safety harness on all the time. Minimum age 10, and a height minimum I believe. Maximum age I don’t know, but it’s not for me! Somehow I managed not to include the picture, which I’m now rectifying.
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Oh yes, I’ve seen similar set-ups before. They do seem to be designed for no other purpose than to scare people, and to make money while they do so.
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What a splendid visit – and good to finish with a peaceful walk away from the crowds.
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Indeed.
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I particularly like that stag sculpture made of horse shoes.
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It was only impulse that we stopped in Wendover.
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Splendid stag, walk and red kites ! Thank you Venetia for these beautiful and educational outings.
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Thank you for visiting my blog, Christine.
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