Church Wilne - St Chad's Water
w/e 09 August 2020
All of this week's pictures were
taken with a Kodak DX6490
We first walked around St Chad's Water in 2004 (link)
when there were some wood sculptures at various points. They
have now gone but in subsequent visits, we've seen a muddy footpath
around the lake and and have also seen the water level so high
that it was impossible to access the paths anyway. The Autumn
Footprints Walking Festival also often includes a walk which
calls here.
This time we decided to walk around the lake in a clockwise direction
and took this path from the car park.
|
Another short path leads off to a viewing platform where a notice
shows pictures of many of the birds that are likely to be seen
here. Compare this photo with a similar one taken during for
Part 07 (link) of our Village Trail around Draycott
and Wilne in 2013.
|
There have been a number of changes since that first visit in
2004 and the muddy track around the lake has now been enhanced
by the installation of much improved paths.
|
The lake is roughly triangular in shape with two straight-ish
sides and an irregular hypotenuse. This is about half way along
the southern side.
|
There's a long straight path at the western end of the lake.
|
There are also several places around the lake where you can sit
and enjoy the scenery. Here on the western side the view is across
the lake to the car parking area opposite with St Chad's Church
hidden behind the trees.
|
We met several dog walkers on our walk around the lake and several
of their pets couldn't wait to get in the water. This one was
jumping in and retrieving a branch thrown in by his owner.
|
There was an early sign of autumn too with brambles already beginning
to bear fruit.
|
We completed our circuit of the lake, not much more than half
a mile in length and sat for a while on a bench at the "beach"
area near the car park.
|
This is a popular feeding spot for the birds and it's not unusual
to see swans here but on this occasion it was just ducks and
coots that came ashore to dine.
|