On Sunday morning at the tail end of the late May heatwave, 23 Poly Ramblers overcame various travel challenges to gather at St Albans Abbey station for the Three Burys walk (bury meaning manor). I was relieved to be walking in lower temperatures than when we did the walkover a week earlier.
We headed through Verulamium Park, passing the lake with a family of geese and goslings and then through the lovely St Michaels area of the city and north towards the first bury, the attractive estate hamlet of Childwickbury. After walking through a wood and down a long estate drive we ate an early picnic lunch in the 19th century St Mary’s churchyard. We continued to cross Harpenden Common and down a mile long country lane to eventually reach the River Ver and Redbournbury Mill, the second bury and the last working watermill on the River Ver. We availed ourselves of the ice creams and cold drinks on offer in the mill shop and many of us bought loaves of bread and viewed the small museum. As we sat outside we were surprised to be joined by Joyanna, who had missed the train but, with admirable determination, managed to catch us up.
The last stage of the walk took us south on the River Ver trail and then through the Gorhambury Estate (the third bury) back to St Michaels. We enjoyed great views of St Albans Abbey as we approached the gate house and from there it was a short step back to the museum where the group dispersed. Later we heard of the challenges for some of group in getting home due to the Arsenal victory parade!
Gillian. Photos Ida, Jane and Stephen
