A NEW FOREST

On a recent bike ride I visited the village of Sandridge, which is just a few miles away. There the Woodland Trust has created a brand new forest. Perhaps if you are in the area you would like to visit it.

The Woodland Trust is creating a brand new forest, Heartwood Forest near Sandridge, St Albans. It will be an 850 acre wood from open fields in just 12 years and will provide a natural resource which can support more species than any other land habitat.

Over £4 million has been raised but a lot more is required to be donated to theTrust..

The site is in Hertfordshire's Green Belt which is home to many rare butterflies and the protected English bluebell, yet is still just 25 miles from Marble Arch.

An additional 600,000 trees will be planted, creating wildflower meadows with footpaths and bridleways.

For more information see:

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/support-us/appeals/england/heartwood-forest/Pages/help.aspx#.Ue5NAdJJ40M

There are several local pubs in the village, one next to the church if you would like to

go to Sunday service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Country Lane in Hertfordshire

I haven't addded much to my blog lately as I have been out of action. But all is well again and I can resume cycling. I thought you might like to see a country lane near the village of Kimpton. A real delight to cycle down this lane.

A Statue of Beethoven

On a recent trip to Germany I came upon a statue of Beethoven which I thought you might like to see. The other wooden statue is of a German man gathering grapes in the local vine yards. The local wine is very light and very enjoyable.
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The Alban Bun

On a recent ride to the city of St Albans,it being just two days from Easter on the Christian calendar, I visited the Cathedral of St Albans. In the refectory they were selling Alban Buns, a 14th century predecessor of hot cross buns, baked with a secret recipe which was first used in the 14th century. The flour for them was milled at the local Redbournbury mill. If you would like to see the mill go to my blog of 17th July 2011. If only I could get hold of that secret recipe!

Marquess of Granby

Along a disused railway line near to where I live is a public house named after the Marquess of Granby. I think the name of the sign is perhaps wrong, his full title is John Manners Maquess of Granby (1721-1770). There are two towns named Granby, one in Canada and the other in Massachusetts, USA. I think the caricature on the sign is about right as he seems to have lost his hair and the wig is flying in the wind. If you would like to read about this gentleman go to Wikipedia UK and search for John Manners Marquess of Granby. Good hunting!

King's Walden village

On a rainy Sunday I cycled to the village of King's Walden where there is a nice village store with a tea room. After a refreshing cup of tea and a bun I returned home rather wet but an enjoyable ride nonetheless. Today was St Patrick's Day so all those people with Irish ancestors I suppose had a good celebration. Outside the store is this Queen Elizabeth II post box and a photo of the store. A ride of 21 miles.

The Red Cow

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Continuing our journey around some of the

local public houses I rode today along a disused railway line recently restored for cyclists and walkers from just at the end of the lane where I live The railway, from Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, to Dunstable in Bedfordshire, was opened in the year 1860 closing in 1965. I have lived in my bungalow when the line was still in operation. The Red Cow public house in Harpenden, Herts, as far as I can find out opened in the 19th century and serves a very nice meal. It is on a route restored by a charity named Sustrans (Google www.sustrans is you would like to find a traffic free route in the UK for a nice bike ride. With the daylight hours lengthening I will try to gert farther afield in the coming months. I hope you find this of interest. Best wishes, Harold