Woodland

Gordon, Yvonne and I signed up for a guided walk from Maldon to Hazeleigh.  When we received the details we discovered that the walk leader was a parkrun friend and published author, John Buchanan.  Coincidentally, Yvonne is reading John's book at the moment too.  The back marker was local photographer and one time parkrunner James Crisp. Plenty of conversation to be had.
We walked along the disused railway line out of maldon  and I was reminded of my childhood blackberry picking days when what is now housing and a massive solar farm was just empty space.  We heard chiff chaff and nightingale song along the way, passing Hazeleigh Hall and reaching the woodland  Hazeleigh woods was a real treat.  A privately owned passion project, the 60 acres of woodland was purchased by Maureen Bissell and her husband  in the 80's and has been managed almost single handedly by them since.   We learned about the plants and creatures that live there and visit.  I was particularly delighted by a couple of long horned moths (see extra), 3 fallow deer, baby slow worms, some long dead trees , hairy acorn cups and the rescued collie dog that ambled along with us, craving attention at every stop.


Maureen could have talked all day about the trees. The wild service tree was one I had not heard of before. She also pointed out a parish boundary mound.  Not heard of those before either.



"The Wild service tree was once widespread, if seldom abundant, in the forests of England and Wales. But, as these were cleared, it became rarer and is now confined to ancient woodlands and hedges, such as those of Royal Hunting Forests, particularly on heavy clay soils. An inconspicuous tree for much of the year, its white blossom in spring and crimson leaves in autumn give it away."



  We run out of time to hear much about the hand built lathe and the charcoal burner.


Returning back to Maldon, we glimpsed some posh hens, stopped at The Royal Oak for lunch and enjoyed home made brownies before going our separate ways.