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As morning mist burned off and a glorious day revealed itself, it was obvious we must take advantage of it.
We were keen to explore the newly discovered nature trail but first we decided it was time to check out a site we’ve driven past for six years without stopping, assuming it involved too much walking.
However our neighbour told Grant that the battlefield is accessible by car and we drove up the hill.
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The Revolutionary War took place in the area all around us. Cambridge itself is even mentioned…
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There is not a great deal to see. Battlefields are sad places, yet deserving of a visit. Such sites make me emotional. One only has to bring to mind the men who fought and died in the location where you stand to be affected. No matter who they were.
The planet is strewn with forgotten battlefields, of course.
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When visiting my mother’s family as a child, I used to walk on Roundway Hill where a battle was fought in the First English Civil War on 13th July 1643.
Until my aunt mentioned it, I had not known. I remember feeling awed, even back then.
(photo by Doug Lee on Wikipedia)
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Considering the enormous significance of what the revolutionaries achieved, it seems to me that such battle sites deserve greater recognition.
We noted that there is a walking trail here as well, but decided to leave that for another day and continued back to Bennington.
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Access to Mile-around is from a shady lane where we were able to leave the car. Setting foot on the track we immediately noticed the hum of bees and I shot a brief video which gives an idea of our walk. Unfortunately, I did not inform Grant…
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We set off up the hill and were energetically inspected by three large Labrador retrievers that we encountered coming toward us.
We know now where to go when we want to meet a dog. This is a great place to walk them.
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The day before I’d admired this tree.
Now I was able to frame it properly.
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Pleasingly, I was able to walk all the way up and over the hill.
There are the ladies and their dogs finishing their walk.
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Over the crest of the hill, the path wound off into the distance and we were uncertain where it would end.
Worried that I might over-extend my enthusiasm, Grant decided we should go back the way we’d come.
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But first we wandered along the top of the hill toward some more woods.
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In the English countryside of my childhood, one took this sort of walk for granted. Here, this sort of thing is a real privilege and we are really delighted to have found it, the more so because it is something I can manage.
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The ground was even so I could walk without having to watch every footstep for fear of stumbling and while there was a slope it rose gently.
Additionally, as you can see, it was not crowded!
Despite bright sun, the temperature was a pleasant 72F/22C which was perfect for such an outing.
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Acres of wonderful open land.
What a gift!
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Coloured grasses decorate the hills.
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Although I could not get a photograph because they were mostly concealed by the grasses, we saw many bobolinks.
This is an image I got in July last year.
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The only other birds we saw were red-winged blackbirds and a male cardinal that posed nicely for me.
Next time we will try to be there earlier when I think there may be a better chance of seeing other types.
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There are days when I struggle to walk the length of my driveway, so it was uplifting to manage this outing with little effort, something I have not done for a very long time.
It’s a sign that motivation works!
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As we went back down to the car we stopped to listen to the wind in the trees:
Such a perfect morning.
Thank you, Carolyn, for the beautiful post, with an emotional visit to the battlefield. I love the tree, which stands alone, and the birds you captured! Congratulations on finding your strength and walking more than you expected you could do!
Joanna
A lovely excursion indeed, with countryside very similar to that around Beetley. I always seek out battlefields wherever I go, and have seen many in Britain, as well as in France and Belgium.
Best wishes, Pete.
What a find! The joy of the sound of the rustling of leaves is surpassed only by a babbling brook!
Yes, battlefields are an emotional place to visit – I always see it as a way to pay my respect. Mile-around is such a lovely place to explore – the sounds of nature, beautiful trees, and dogs – there is certainly not much to complain about when you walk here. I’m glad you could walk there unhindered; it’s a privilege to spend time in nature.