Nesting swans in Wicken Fen

I bunked off work today, lured by the glorious sunshine and the fact that my name was down in the local Ramblers’ Association booklet to lead their walk today.

I was joined by friends Bob and Liz, and Liza too from Tempting Fate, and we set off from Wicken Fen with me at the front, even though I am hopeless with an OS map and nearly didn’t make it to our departure point as I took a wrong turning chatting away to Liza in the car.

I know from my previous walks with the Ramblers that they go to considerable trouble to make them interesting, so I had to follow suit, especially as this was my first time as a leader. I needed to impress.

And I couldn’t have asked for more today, our unspoilt countryside was gorgeous and really looking its best,

It was amazing how the landscape changed from flat and rural to lush meadowland, and the route included a lovely riverside walk where the bank was lined with narrowboats.

There were lots of bird song too, including the cuckoo, and we caught sight of an enormous hare.

The biggest thrill was seeing a pair of nesting swans at Wicken Fen, a National Trust nature reserve which has an abundance of rare species; it is a wetland wilderness that attracts thousands of visitors.

I chose one of my very favourite wildenernesses for us to enjoy our break, a hidden dingley dell down a dozen or so wooden steps. I just followed my nose there, recognising the familiar musty smell of foxes on the edge of a copse, a trick I rememebered from a previous visit.

This delightful treasure is used as an “outdoor classroom” by the Upware Field Studies Centre for local schoolchildren. It even has a Jurassic limestone fossil bank, a relic from the dinosaurs which once roamed this area.

It was only a 4 1/2 mile walk, a mere stroll to the corner shop in the eyes of Geoff , who is nearing the end of his arduous trek across the Pennine Way. He hopes to complete 240 miles by the end of today and plans to return to Cambridge on Friday after more than two weeks of solid walking.

He laughed in disbelief when I told him how footsore some of my Rambers were. Although I like to push myself, I know my limits, but greatly admire Geoff’s stamina and determination to finish this walk, which he originally set out to do 41 years ago.

I’m leading another walk one evening in July and if anyone is interested, you will be most welcome. I promise you it will be too good to miss.