Day 208 - July 27th

Today we chose another walk from our Walking App and walked the area around Ickleford and Wilbury Hills.

We parked at Ickleford and headed into the countryside alongside the river.

Soon we reached Burymead Springs.  They weren't very impressive! 

Later we passed a mural on an old bridge abutment along the disused Hitchin-Bedford railway line, which is now a footpath. The mural depicts the former Midland Railway branch line, which ran from 1857 until 1964

Close by was Gerry's Hole, a small pond with a memorable name.

The pond is an old flooded gravel quarry. The gravel was excavated for the construction of the Hitchin to Bedford railway line. A local legend claims that the pond is named after a labourer who built canals and railways named Gerry. The story goes that after a night at the pub, Gerry fell into the hole and sadly drowned.

Today, Gerry's Hole is a small nature reserve.

We passed by the fields Hitchin Lavender where people were enjoying the lavender and sunflowers.

We continued along part of the Hicca Way and back to the car.