A Stroll and A Giant Conker

 

Sunday, April 13th.

With Emma having just finished two night shifts, on the bounce, I decided to take Erin and Keilyn out for the morning, so that Emma could catchup on some sleep, knowing that she had to work tonight, too.

So, with provisions packed for myself, Erin and Keilyn, we set off along the Ebury Way, this time in the direction of Watford, rather than our usual route towards Rickmansworth. The sun was in full radiance and, as we moved through the shade of the Ebury Way, the breeze dropped, making it a pleasant stroll. Keilyn was quietly cooing at the trees and clouds, from her seat in the battlewagon, while Erin explored the path ahead. There were quite a few cyclists, heading in the Rickmansworth direction, and the odd jogger or two, but otherwise it was a quiet trip.

[caption id="attachment_1041" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Some beautiful blossom that lined our route.[/caption]

We followed the Ebury Way, crossing Wiggenhall Road, until we reached the River Colne, at the bottom of Oxhey Park. Having forgotten how steep the climb is, to Oxhey Park, I pushed Keilyn up the steep incline, thankful that Erin was walking, as I don't think that I would have made it with her in the battlewagon, too. Erin barely seemed to notice the hill that she had to climb, as she was busy picking daisies, all the way up. When we reached the top of the mountain, I noticed a large sphere, over two-metres in height, with spikes protruding from it at odd angles. As we drew closer, I could see that it was actually a giant conker, fashioned from wood. Close to the Conker was a carved oak bench, shaped like a leaf, that Erin had to go and sit on.

[caption id="attachment_1042" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The two tonne wooden conker, designed by David Gross, at Oxhey Park.[/caption]

Oxhey Park is over fourteen hectares of parkland and wooded dell, that has been a public park since 1924. It turns out that the bench and conker were both designed by designer David Gross, and were commissioned to celebrate the rejuvenation of Oxhey Park. The bench is made of oak, but has a weighted base, while the conker took over three and a half months to complete and weighs over two tonnes.

[caption id="attachment_1043" align="aligncenter" width="180"] Erin sits on an oak bench, designed by David Gross, at Oxhey Park.[/caption]

The playground, at the top of Oxhey Park, is quite substantial, but was quite a disappointment. There are swings, a zip-line, a roundabout, a see-saw, rubber hills with planks to walk across, tunnels, a trampoline and a slide, amongst other things. Keilyn was in her element, as she just absolutely loves to pushed in a swing, while Erin will attempt everything, especially the slide. Unfortunately, the slide which is the same height as many other slides that she has been on, was impossible for her to use. She either had to climb to the top via a tough looking wall climb, or attempt three tiny steps which were attached to a pole, which was over a foot from the slide. There was no simple steps so I had to lift her up to the platform, while keeping an eye on Keilyn, who was walking around the base of the slide. After only two slides, Erin got fed up with not being able to climb the slide herself, so went off with Keilyn to jump on the trampoline. Then it was back on the swings, before Erin had one last look around. I could tell that Erin wasn't happy with the park as, when I suggested that we head off to eat lunch, she didn't kick up a fuss and run towards the nearest swing, slide or whatever, she just held the gate open and then followed the battlewagon.

[caption id="attachment_1047" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From the top of Oxhey Park, the view of Watford is quite cool.[/caption]

As we reached the giant conker, I convinced Erin to stand in front of it, so that I could take a photo of her with it. Keilyn was busy munching on a sandwich, so wasn't much interested in the weird, wooden thing that she couldn't eat.

[caption id="attachment_1045" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Bluebells lead our way to The Dell.[/caption]

We followed the path along as it dropped back down toward the River Colne, where we turned right and headed towards the park entrance at the Lower High Street. Sadly, the grassed area was in too much shade, so we headed back under the railway arches and found a bench by a bridge that links Oxhey Park with the rugby fields, on the opposite of the river.

[caption id="attachment_1046" align="aligncenter" width="300"] These arches, at the entrance to Oxhey Park, carry the London Overground trains.[/caption]

While Erin ate her sandwich, followed by a packet of cheesy twirls, I fed Keilyn spaghetti bolognese, followed with an apple and strawberry dessert. When both girls were suitably stuffed Erin took Keilyn for a wander across the bridge and back again.

[caption id="attachment_1048" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Ducks sleeping on the riverbank, taken by Erin.[/caption]

Erin spotted some ducks, sleeping on the riverbank, so I gave her my phone and she happily took some photos of them. I then walked Keilyn along the footpath, while Erin pushed the battlewagon, until we reached Wiggenhall Road, where Keilyn started to get stroppy. Realising that she hadn't had her morning nap, I strapped her into the battlewagon, and she promptly fell asleep. Erin, too, was showing some signs of fatigue, but refused to surrender.

[caption id="attachment_1052" align="aligncenter" width="180"] It looks as though nature is reclaiming this bridge, above the River Colne, on the Ebury Way.[/caption]

Instead she led the way along the Ebury Way, warning me of approaching cyclists, until, almost at the point that we turn off for home, she decided that she wanted to sit down. So, with both girls strapped in, I pushed them both the short distance home. In those two minutes Erin fell asleep and the two of them began snoring, in unison.

[caption id="attachment_1044" align="aligncenter" width="180"] A typical Sunday stroll usually takes its toll on the girls.[/caption]

Another nice relaxing Sunday stroll. Roll on next weekend, when it will be Easter, meaning more chances to go wandering.

Until next time, May It Be Well With You.

A Mother's Day Stroll

Sunday 30th March,

Having lost an hour of sleep, due to the clocks having gone forward, the girls woke up later than usual, but still in time to have breakfast before we needed to leave the house, for our stroll. With them suitably fed, dressed and with enough food and drinks for the day, off we set.

With Keilyn strapped into the new battlewagon, and Erin walking along with us, we took the Ebury Way and headed towards Rickmansworth. It wasn't long before Keilyn was asleep, while Erin picked up leaves and sticks.

Normally we drop down on to the tow-path of the Grand Union Canal, at Lock 80, and follow that towards Rickmansworth, but, this time, we decided to carry on along the Ebury Way. As we passed by the various fishing lakes, where trees are being felled and banks cleared, we spotted some small rabbits, nestled near their burrows, just above the waterline of the river.

[caption id="attachment_1010" align="aligncenter" width="180"] Emma holds the girls as we prepare to clear moorings.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1011" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Me with Erin and Keilyn, aboard the Pride of Batchworth.[/caption]

Finally, we arrived at the Rickmansworth Canal Centre, where we stopped at Cafe @ Lock 81 for a drink and a quick bite to eat, before we boarded the Pride of Batchworth narrowboat, for a short trip. Since we were the only passengers, we sat at the front of the boat and enjoyed the ride. We spotted Coots, Moorhens, Canada Geese, Mallards and Swans, as the boat took us towards Stockers Lock, where a three-point turn was made, before heading back to Batchworth Lock.

[caption id="attachment_1007" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Narrowboats along the Grand Union Canal.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1009" align="aligncenter" width="300"] On our way back to Batchworth Lock, we followed the goose.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1008" align="aligncenter" width="300"] One of the pedestrian bridges, near Rickmansworth Aquadrome.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1014" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A small boat rests on the bottom of the Grand Union Canal.[/caption]

After thanking our 'Captain' we headed on to Rickmansworth High  Street, before heading to the back of the council offices, where there were benches that we could sit at to eat and feed Keilyn. Beside us there was a spiral staircase, which had left an interesting effect on the pavement, so I took a photo, while Keilyn finished her lunch.

[caption id="attachment_1013" align="aligncenter" width="300"] An interesting effect, left by the rain falling from the steps above.[/caption]

With lunch finished, and time ticking by, we headed back to the Ebury Way and headed towards home. With Erin beginning to flag a little, she hopped back in to the battlewagon, at which point Keilyn decided it was time to stretch her legs. So, out she came. After I had carried her for a short while I put her on my shoulders, until she clamoured to get down.

[caption id="attachment_1012" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Keilyn sits on my shoulders, on the Ebury Way.[/caption]

So, I put her down and she walked, while holding my hand. Then Erin wanted to join in, so Erin and I held Keilyn's hands and the three of us walked a little way. Keilyn then decided that she could do it herself, so we let her hands go, and she took her first solo steps along the Ebury Way.

[caption id="attachment_1016" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Erin and I help Keilyn take her first steps along the Ebury Way.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1017" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Keilyn takes her first solo walk along the Ebury Way.[/caption]

Eventually Keilyn fell asleep, just as we met my mum at the King George V playing fields. My mum had been for a walk, earlier in the day with a walking group. They had walked up Baldwins Lane, along Little Green Lane and down through the fields and woods onto Rousebarn Lane, before heading back to their start point. Now mum was pushing her dad around the King George V playing fields. Erin gave my mum and granddad some daffodils, that she had picked from around the edges of the playing fields, before trying to get to grips with the exercising machines that are dotted around the fields, while mum, granddad, Emma and I had a quick catch-up. After saying our 'goodbyes', we headed home so that we could sort the girls out, as their little body clocks were still on GMT rather than BST.

My mum arrived, not long after the girls had finished their tea, so that we were finally able to give our Mother's Day present and Erin and Keilyn could give their 'Nannie's Day' present, to her. We chatted for a bit, before Emma disappeared upstairs, to get herself ready for work. How Emma manges to do a twelve-hour night-shift, after a day of walking a good five or six miles, is beyond me. But she does.

With the girls in bed, and Emma at work, it wasn't long before tiredness set in. Mum headed off home and I busied myself with tidying up the toys and settling down for an early night.

All-in-all it was yet another great day out, and in, with my family.

 

Watford General Hospital: A Brief History, part 1

Watford District Cottage Hospital

Address: 45-47 Vicarage Road, Watford, Herts, WD18 0DE

Medical Dates: 1886-1925

Built in 1885, the Watford District Cottage Hospital is believed to have been Watford's first hospital and was designed by local architect, Charles Ayres. It was officially opened by Lady Clarendon, in 1886.

The construction of this one-storey building was financed by public subscription and cost £1,700.

In 1897, to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, a new six-bed ward and operating theatre were added, increasing the capacity of the hospital. Then, in 1902-03, two more six-bed wards were added, plus dining rooms and staff accommodation.

By the end of 1916, the hospital contained 80 beds, 6 cots and was fitted with x-ray equipment. However, the building was soon running at capacity and, in 1917, it was decided that Watford required a new hospital.

In 1925 the Watford District Hospital, (Cottage had been dropped from its name some years before), closed as a new hospital for the district had opened on Rickmansworth Road.

[caption id="attachment_1002" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Watford District Cottage Hospital, which is now known as Victoria House.[/caption]

The building, now called Victoria House, is still in remarkably good condition and is home to offices and a private company called My Ultra Baby, where you can get a 2D, 3D or 4D scan of your baby and attend antenatal classes. On the exterior of the building there are two sandstone tablets containing the busts of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. Although they are badly eroded you can still make out the images quite easily.

Review: MillenniuM - Chris Carter's Forgotten Classic

During the third season of The X-Files, its creator, Chris Carter, was approached by Fox Television to produce another series. For this they would give him complete freedom to develop the look, of the show, with a budget of almost $1.5 million per episode. The result was, MillenniuM, which aired in 1996. It ran for three seasons, before being axed due to poor ratings, in 1999. MillenniuM had an uppercase ‘M’ at either end to signify the year 2000, as it would appear in Roman numerals.

While developing the story and character of its main protagonist, Frank Black, Chris Carter had only one person in mind, Lance Henriksen. However, Fox thought that he was unsuitable and wanted William Hurt, but Chris Carter stuck to his guns. Things were made difficult for him when Lance Henriksen turned down the offer, as he didn't want to enter a TV career. Lance had turned down Chris Carter before, when he had been asked to appear in The X-Files. Still unswayed, Chris Carter, sent a script to Lance Henriksen’s agent, which Lance read, thinking it was for a movie. Immediately liking the script, he contacted his agent, who then told him it was an upcoming TV series. Amazed that it was for a TV series, Chris and Lance finally got together and the rest, as they say, is history.

Chris Carter gave Lance Henriksen a small bit of direction, that defined Frank Black’s character for the duration of the series.

Chris said to me. “Lance, here’s our rule for Frank Black, for the whole show: Don’t move your hands.” I said, “But I’m from New York, I use my hands for punctuation.” He said, “When somebody talks with their hands, it looks like you’re selling something.” For a while I was in abject misery. I don’t trust language, and now I can’t use my hands. What am I supposed to use? How am I gonna fill the void? I realised, I have to rely on my heart…. When I made that connection, I was okay with it all. I used my most primitive instincts to play the most sophisticated character – a very bright, articulate human being. The part of him that I could grasp was as primitive as I feel I am. His basic nature is what gives him the strength; his intuition gives him strength; his caring gives him strength; his non judgmental nature gives him strength to do what he has to do and to survive. - Lance Henriksen

MillenniuM followed Frank Black, a former FBI forensic profiler with an uncanny ability to ‘see’ through the eyes of the killer. Sometimes this ability was almost a sixth sense, while at other times it was an almost psychic ability. Frank Black had been forced to retire, from the FBI, after receiving Polaroids of his family through the post. Moving his family to Seattle, for the safety of a normal life, Frank Black became a freelance profiler for the MillenniuM Group, helping the Police with murder cases. However, Frank Black is soon disturbed to find photographs of his family, in Seattle, posted through his door. To keep up the facade of everything being well, only Frank and the MillenniuM Group are aware of the images. The MillenniuM Group itself was made of former FBI, Police and various other specialists, all who were expert in their field, with Peter Watts (Terry O’Quinn) being Frank’s main contact in the Group. Unlike many recent crime dramas, Frank Black wasn’t just a profiler. Through Frank Black we were taken on a deep, and often dark, analysis of the evil that surrounds us.

[caption id="attachment_934" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The complete three series of MillenniuM, plus the new book, Back to Frank Black.[/caption]

The first series focused on Frank using his ability to aid the Seattle Police Department, among others, with help from the MillenniuM Group, as it was needed. Frank is not a member of the MillenniuM Group, but he is being tested to see if he is worthy to join. During the first series episode Lamentation, we are first introduced to the character of Lucy Butler, who would become the embodiment of evil on Earth, to Frank’s good.

During the second series, Frank Black is caught up in some more supernatural cases and makes a friend of Lara Means (Kristen Cloke), who also works for the MillenniuM Group. This series had many references to the ‘End of the World’ and the ‘Apocalypse’ of the coming millennium of the year 2000, dealing with angels and demons and the fight between good and evil. As the series progressed, Frank begins to realise that the MillenniuM Group is hiding a sinister agenda. Fearing for his family, Frank takes them into the woods, as a virus outbreak sweeps the state.

The third, and final, series sees Frank rejoining the FBI, following the death of his wife in the virus outbreak. Joined by a new partner, in the form of FBI Agent Emma Hollis, Frank tries to prove that the MillenniuM Group were responsible for the outbreak, and so his wife’s death. This series was more like the first and gave us some great twists and surprises.

Although the series was cancelled, many fans clamoured for more, or at least some form of closure for Frank Black. What they received was an episode of The X-Files, entitled MillenniuM, which did nothing for the MillenniuM or Frank Black storyline, in my opinion.

Series two had a different ‘feel’ to series one and three, due to Chris Carter handing over of the management of the show to Glen Morgan and James Wong, while he concentrated on season five of The X-Files and The X-Files movie. This absence cost the show, dearly, and made sure that MillenniuM didn’t see in the new millennium, even though he back control for the third series.

The theme music was written by Mark Snow, who also wrote the theme for The X-Files, and was a haunting violin piece, set to bizarre and disturbing images. On many episodes the titles were followed by a quotation from the likes of Plato, Jean-Paul Sartre, W.H. Auden, Biblical quotes and many more.

Chris Carter (creator), Lance Henriksen (Frank Black) and Frank Spotnitz (co-executive producer) have all stated ‘On The Record’ of their hope and desire to bring Frank Black back to the screen, whether on TV or through a motion picture.

For myself, I think MillenniuM was a fascinating and sometimes extraordinary series, that was greatly overlooked. For its time it was quite graphic and had a lot of gore, which did put some people off, but this wasn’t for shock value, but to show how evil the world can be. But, no matter how desperate Frank Black got, he still had the focus and mindset to overcome, sometimes at great risk to himself or others. Unlike other shows, Chris Carter wasn’t averse to having his hero beaten up, arrested or shot. Frank Black went through all manner of misfortune through the entire series, but somehow managed to keep sight of what was right. Throughout the show it is Frank’s family, especially his daughter Jordan, who may also have his ability, that keep his course true. The writing was, for the most part, natural and wasn’t dumbed down, making it more of an intellectual feast than your typical run of the mill crime shows. Even now I still enjoy watching the DVDs and find that they are just as good now as they were nearly two decades ago.

Below are a few links, for those who want to find out more.

Original Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcKyW_AtXB0

MillenniuM Website http://millennium-thisiswhoweare.net/

Back to Frank Black http://www.backtofrankblack.com/

THE TIME IS NOW

The Battle Wagon's Last Hurrah ends in a discovery!

Sunday, 23rd April.

Our Battle Wagon has done us proud for a long time, but it is now time to retire her and send her to the great buggy paradise in the sky. But, before this could happen, we had to take her on one last trip.

After lunch, we took a stroll into Watford, to get a few items for home. We then headed to Pets at Home, to show Erin and Keilyn the rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, fish, snakes, etc., before deciding to make our way home. Erin was bored with being cooped up in the Battle Wagon and was demanding to be released, so that she could walk home. This was a great idea as the weight of the two girls, plus the shopping, really put a strain on the Battle Wagon, which we had abused for so long. So, we headed towards Oxhey Park and the River Colne, where it was safer for Erin to run around. With Erin running alongside the river, we followed the path to Wiggenhall Road, where we crossed onto the Riverside Recreation Ground, still following the river, until we reached Riverside Park.

Erin proceeded to enter the park and have a ride on the swings, clambered over the climbing frames and down the slides. She did this many times, before we decided it was time to head off.

Leaving the park, we joined the Ebury Way Cycle Path, heading in the direction of home. The last time that I had been on this particular piece of the Ebury Way, it had been a torrent of water due to the River Colne bursting its banks, having been swollen by the flood waters. Luckily, the ground had dried considerably, allowing the Battle Wagon to make its way unhindered, except for the odd mud puddle. With Emma pushing the Battle Wagon, Erin and I decided to head off into the undergrowth, beside the old railway line, to see how the renovation of the  line was progressing. It is due to be reopened in 2017 , as part of the Croxley Rail Link. It appears to be progressing well, with a most of the line cleared and the trees and shrubs, which had spread like wildfire, being cut right back. Getting as far as we could, we turned round and headed back to Emma and Keilyn.

[caption id="attachment_902" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A piece of the old Rickmansworth to Watford railway line.[/caption]

With the Lairage Land Nature Reserve to our right and allotments to our left, we continued on our merry way until I spotted one an old ceramic insulator 'pot' in the undergrowth. These insulator 'pots' usually hold up the third rail and, when railway lines are ripped up, are normally just left smashed by the side of the line. The Ebury Way is built on an old railway line that used to run from Rickmansworth to Watford, but fell into disuse many years ago. Eventually the cycle route was put through and it is now a busy thoroughfare. Sometimes, as now, you can find a complete one, but they are rare. So I grabbed a photo. No sooner had I done this than I noticed another insulator 'pot', which was made of glass. Having never seen one before, I took a photo, before picking it up to study. Sure enough it was an insulator 'pot' and it was made of glass. So, carefully, I placed it under the Battle Wagon, much to its consternation, before we continued on our way.

[caption id="attachment_903" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A Glass Insulator Pot, in the undergrowth of the Ebury Way.[/caption]

We then began to notice that the Lairage Land Nature Reserve was still slightly flooded, but not as much as the area around the Electricity Transmission Station and the surrounding fields, which make up the River Colne floodplain, to our left. As we crossed the river we could see swans, swimming in the middle of the cricket pitch, while the old 'Pill Box' looked to be on an island, all of its own.

With us being minutes from home and Erin's legs starting to flag, I decided to put her on my shoulders. Putting her in the Battle Wagon didn't seem right, plus, although we were now on tarmac, the extra weight makes it creak and protest. Typically, on arriving home, Keilyn had decided to fall asleep, so we left her wrapped up in the Battle Wagon, while we decanted the shopping and my 'new' garden ornament, namely the glass insulator 'pot', and proceeded inside for a well deserved coffee.

I then spent a good half hour Googling Glass Insulator Pots, finding only one image that resembled the one that now sat in my garden. A little more research led me to discover that they were an 'experimental' insulator pot, manufactured for a short time in 1934. Not many were produced, adding to their rarity, and they were predominantly used in the south of England.

[caption id="attachment_904" align="aligncenter" width="300"] An image of my cleaned up, 80 year-old Glass Insulator Pot.[/caption]

St. Mary the Virgin Church, Watford

The parish church of St. Mary the Virgin was built on the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon church, in 1230. Being the parish church for Watford, the church was built in the middle of the town, towards the centre of the High Street. It is one of the largest churches in Hertfordshire and is also the oldest building in Watford, carrying a Grade I Listed status.

The oldest parts of the church, still remaining, are the Chancel arch, the double piscina in the Chancel, the doorway above the pulpit and the  South arcade of the Nave.

The tower was built in the 15th century and stands 24m to the top of the battlements. A narrow 96 step spiral stair forms a turret at the top of the tower, where there is also a Hertfordshire Spike, which is 9m high, in the centre of the roof. The tower has a clock face on the north, east and south sides, but not on its west face. There are many rumours as to why this is so, but no definitive answer. Many believe that as Watford was predominantly just one long street, with more buildings to the east, there was no need for a  west clock face. Also, as the Watford Union Workhouse was built to the west of the church, the planners didn't add a clock face to this side so that the 'inmates' wouldn't keep 'clock-watching'. The external plaster face of the tower walls were removed, in 1871, to be replaced with flint and dressed stone.

A Church Centre was added to the main building in 1979, to replace the old Church Halls. This space is used for church meetings, group meetings and social events.

St. Mary the Virgin has ten bells which, when rung out, can be heard for many miles around. Eight of the bells were cast in 1919, by Gillett and Johnston, who forged another two bells in 1946. There is also a smaller bell, kept in the tower, which dates from 1704, and is said to be Watford's old Market bell. The tenor bell weighs a massive 1237kg.

[caption id="attachment_889" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Grade I listed parish church of St. Mary the Virgin, is Watford's oldest building.[/caption]

There are also twelve locally and nationally registered Grade Listed tombs, in the adjacent cemetery. One of these is to the memory of George Edward Doney.

George Edward Doney was captured from Gambia and taken to Virginia, as a child, where he was sold into slavery. In 1765 he arrived in Watford, where he worked for 44 years at Cassiobury House, for the 5th Earl of Essex, Church records show that he was baptised on August 1st, 1774. It was while working for the 5th Earl of Essex that George gained his freedom, but continued to work for the Earl. When he died, in 1809, he was listed as a widower, but no records so far give any clue as to whom he married.

Below is the inscription from his tombstone;

Poor Edward blest the pirate bark which bore 
His captive infancy from Gambia's shore
To where in willing servitude he won
Those blest rewards for every duty done -

Kindness and praise, the wages of the heart; 
None else to him could joy or pride impart,
And gave him, born a pagan and a slave,
A freeman's charter and a Christian's grave.

[caption id="attachment_890" align="aligncenter" width="225"] The grave of George Edward Doney.[/caption]

Have Battle Wagon, will travel.

Sunday, 16 February.

With Emma working a couple of night-shifts, back-to-back, I decided to take the two girls out, on Sunday morning, so that Emma could sleep.

The weather had decided that it was Spring, rather than Winter, and hit the area with sun and warmth (10c). Regardless, I dressed Erin in her pink wellies and matching pink one-piece, waterproof all-weather suit, while Keilyn wore her trainers and a one-piece outfit. With both girls suitably attired, and with provisions (raisins, bread sticks, crisps and drinks) stored in a small rucksack, I strapped the girls into the Battle Wagon, and off we set.

Our Battle Wagon is a standard two-seater buggy, with all the trimmings; Rain cover, sunshade, reclining seats, 5-point safety straps with a small shopping basket beneath the seats and a drinks holder. The wheels are standard, for a buggy, but our Battle Wagon has been everywhere. Besides the normal footpaths, for which it was designed, we have taken it along rugged cycle tracks, potholed paths, through woods and forests, around parks and through mud. It has been through hell and some fairly high water and is still going strong. Well, the brake sometimes clicks into place, at the most inopportune moments, so we have an elastic bungee holding that in place. The wheels are more ovaloid than round, due to the incessant snacking by the two year-old than the rough terrain, I feel, but it is still going, just.

Luckily, for me, the Ebury Way cycle path is just a few hundred yards from the house, so we were on it in minutes, heading in the direction of Rickmansworth. But, what with the recent flooding, I had decided that it might be fun to explore Croxley Common Moor, which is a natural flood plain for the River Gade. Within fifteen minutes we arrived at the Moor, where I released Erin from the buggy and tilted Keilyn's seat back, as she had decided to doze off. Something she does whenever we go out somewhere different.

[caption id="attachment_866" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Erin is ready for mud and puddles.[/caption]

With the Battle Wagon now a half-ton lighter, now that Erin was no longer weighing it down, it was a lot more manoeuvrable. Even so, I locked the front wheels in place and we began our stroll across the Moor.

Erin was in her element. She pounced on every puddle and mashed every muddy pool. Her pink clothing was gradually getting darker and blacker, but she didn't care, and neither did I for that matter, because that is what kids love to do.

[caption id="attachment_865" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Croxley Common Moor is becoming a Marshland, due to the excessive rain.[/caption]

Croxley Common Moor is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Local Nature Reserve. Covering some 100 acres it is a historic grassland which, after years of grazing and being the flood plain for the River Gade, which flows along its western edge, has turned it into an amazing and diverse habitat for wildlife. During the Summer months, cows are grazed on the Moor, which helps to keep down scrub and trees from taking over. Since no pesticides or chemicals have ever been used, the grassland is perfectly suited for all wildlife, which has seen some rare animals taking up residence. Water Voles, Red Kites, a Red Backed Shrike and some uncommon, and rare, spiders, moths and even glow worms have been seen on the Moor. There are also over 100 different species of grassland plant, some extremely rare, to be found on the site.

Making our way south west along a fairly smooth grassed path, parallel to the Ebury Way, we soon hit an obstacle. Some of the dips in the Moor, were filled with water and, although not very deep, they were wide enough to prevent the Battle Wagon from progressing. So, we backtracked slightly until we found a route. This went on as the morning progressed and the heat began to rise. Erin didn't seem to mind. She was off clambering over mounds and jumping in ditches, before running off to see what was around the next bush. All the while Keilyn slept. Slowly we made our towards the river Gade, where we sat and had a drink and a snack. Keilyn had awoken and was busy munching on a bread stick, while Erin demolished her hula hoops. The river Gade was very swollen, from the localised flood water, and was flowing at a fair speed. The water was crystal clear, allowing us to see the small fish who were harbouring at the water's edge.

[caption id="attachment_863" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Looking north along the crystal clear waters of the River Gade.[/caption]

With time getting on, and the girls suitably nourished, we turned North and headed back along the river Gade. We exited the Moor via its northern entrance, crossing the bridge across the river Gade and followed the path to the Grand Union Canal. The water level in the Grand Union Canal was so high that it was pouring over the top of the lock, which I had never seen it do before.

[caption id="attachment_864" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Lock at Croxley Common Moor struggles to hold back the water.[/caption]

We then followed the canal, passed Byewaters, towards the weir. Since we had a few bread sticks left, Erin decided to feed them to the Canada geese, ducks and Swans, saving the last one for her little sister. Bless her.

[caption id="attachment_861" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Never have I seen the weir flowing with so much water.[/caption]

From here we made a slight detour. Instead of following Blackmoor Lane, towards home, we took Beggars Bush Lane, just because I thought it would be different. This brought us under the old bridge that carried the Watford to Croxley rail line, which ceased in 1996, allowing me to get some photographs.

[caption id="attachment_862" align="aligncenter" width="180"] One of the old bridges that hasn't seen a train since 1996.[/caption]

We then turned out on to Watford Road, then crossed Ascot Road, which brought us out just minutes from home. With Erin beginning to flag (she had walked about 3 miles, which isn't bad for a two year-old) she got back into the Battle Wagon, much to its groaning, and I pushed them the final distance home.

All in all it was a great morning out.