The sun shone, the air was cool, and the birds sang – a perfect day for walking; there was an abundance of wildflowers, three hares frolicked in the crops, and a fox passed in front of us. It was dry underfoot and the terrain was flat – so we kept up a good pace.

After ordering our lunch at the White Elms Garden Centre Tea Rooms in Bicknacre we set-off, and soon joined a bridleway from which, following a short cut through the bushes, we came to the St Peter’s Way which we joined heading east. Our route from the bridleway formed a triangle that passed close to Cock Clarks and on two sides of the triangle crossed fields of differing crops
The third side went through Thrift Wood. We were lucky to have Jill Taylor on the walk because until recently she and Ken had been volunteers in this managed wood and helped with the coppicing and so she was able to explain to us what coppicing was and how and why it was done.

Re-joining the bridleway we returned to the now bustling tea rooms and even though we were a party of 14, were promptly served with our ample and tasty meals.

8km/5miles

Diane Caulkett

Next Walk – Tuesday 28th June meet 10.00am The Chequers, Wickham Bishops (park tidily in their car park, order lunch, and then car share to the church to start the walk) 7’5kms/4.7miles (approx)