Humford Woods to Plessey

A Walk from Humford Mill (Woods) along to Plessey Woods was pleasant even in the gloom ,the path west is muddy for most of the way , just beside the stepping stones is the site of the now filled in open air baths where we spent many a happy childhood learning to swim and eventually dive from the top of the high board , I always remember as you came down the hill to go over the stepping stones the sounds of screams, laughter and just sheer enjoyment coming from the pool it made you run to join them, the prize in the pool was a huge old tractor inner tube the trick was to dive from the top and through the tube , avoiding the large brass valve not much health and safety  happy days !! . A couple of Mallard on the river and later a pair of Goosanders, plenty Chiffchaffs singing and numerous Nuthatch, but no Dippers or Grey Wagtails. Carpets of Dog's Mercury, Ramson, and Wood Anemone and a couple of Bluebells just coming into flower, I was on the lookout for more Toothwort but non found , I did find a few patches of Yellow Star of Bethlehem  must have been out early as already dying back. The path was rather slippy and I would not recommend it for young children etc: although the section to the weir is OK. and the other  path north is also a good walk for the most part along the river edge coming out at Attlee Park

 A brief glimpse of a pair of Goosander before they swim from view

 Bluebells starting to flower

 Yellow Star of Bethlehem in several small groups

And the strange but attractive Butterbur in flower. We always avoided this plant as children as someone told us it was poisonous, even to the touch !!!