A walk round Himley's Lake - and other things

Spring has come to Himley Hall, near Dudley. And as I've walked round here a lot recently, I've been reminded of just what a special place it is. Especially the lake. 



This is the creek near the thatched building, once the boathouse for the Hall, now the headquarters of the Sailing Club

The boathouse was also the location for the start of the relationship between Edward and Mrs Simpson

The daffodils have been very good this year 

More by the starters hut

The water is very clear - though the weed is already starting! 

Looking down the lake, towards the hall

The rising land on the far side was part of Capability Brown's extensive landscaping works here- without it the grounds would have been too flat. 

And he dammed a little stream to make the Great Pool (as it is officially known).

The Hall from the far end of the lake

Such a beautiful setting

Looking over to the boat park

A particularly fat coot on its nest

Zooming in

The willows are a wonderful colour right now.

The Hall - Capability Brown liked to see houses in a "natural" setting, with grass right up to the house itself (like at Highclere Castle - otherwise known as Downton Abbey)

The lake makes a lovely circuit for a walk. It's just over a mile right round - but there's lots more to see too

One reason I've been walking at Himley so much recently is the start of the sailing season, specially for our young sailors. Seen here carrying masts...

...over to the boat park

The Toppers (small dinghies with a top hat on the sail), with their colourful sails

The geese are lovely, but they do spoil the landing stage with their droppings!

It's not always sunny, though. A picture from Saturday's sailing session in a massive hailstorm! This boat is a Wanderer - identified by the white W in a dark blue circle on the sail


Today's walk: these pictures were taken over a couple of days, in between sailing sessions. But parking at the hall and walking round the lake will be about a mile and a quarter, which can be extended by walking round the woods or following the earlier part of the stream back to Baggeridge - I'll blog about that in the near future.