Houghton Regis Northern Boundary with Chalton and Chalgrave

On a very hot, still afternoon I visited the spring at Kingsland, on the edge of Parkside, and found it still wet, even after months of drought.  The area was green and full of life in contrast to the brown fields around, a lovely sight and a vital resource for insects and birds.

A speckled wood butterfly alighted on the grasses and a handsome hornet hoverfly (below) paused long enough for me to admire its yellow and red colouring, designed to deter birds from attacking it. 

The eastern boundary with Chalton Parish runs along the ditch on the other side of the field close to the Woodside Link, then turns west along the Sundon Link.  At the new roundabout on Sundon Road the boundary continues to follow the ditch but this time the Ouzel Brook is flowing west... when it does flow!  An elevation of 126 metres above sea level is marked at the roundabout making this a watershed. 

A footpath follows the track alongside the brook and hedge which veer left while the boundary carries on in a north-westerly direction across the A5 towards the ridge, which it reaches at its highest point of 133m offering wonderful views in all directions.  Below, the sun sets behind the ridge.

View from the footbridge over A5 towards the Sundon Road bridge

 

 

View from the ridge 

 

View across a barley field towards the Chalkpit

 

The boundary dips down towards New Barn then bears left away from the path along the line of pylons behind Grove Spinney (below) next to Grove Farm. 

 

 

Looking east from the bottom of Lords Hill B5120

 

 

The new roundabout on the A5 with a grand view of Chalk Hill

 

 

Pegasus crossing on Lords Hill

 

 

While the pylons march across these arable fields, the boundary with Chalgrave Parish sticks to the hedge marked at intervals wherever a footpath strikes up the hill towards Wingfield. 

 

 

 

This is a delightful path to walk along, wide and smooth with all sorts of wildlife sheltering in the hedge and ditch alongside...

 

 

...and scenes of rural life just over the hedge!

 

 

After the reservoir, opposite Thorn Farm, the path turns up or downhill while the boundary continues along the hedge to the A5 Watling Street shown below.  

 

 

I will leave the boundary here to pick up another time and connect with Sewell Greenway.  For now, here are some more views of the changes taking place in Bidwell.

 

 

 

As I climbed the hill towards Wingfield, more and more distant views appeared until I could see Blows Down in all its glory, Dunstable having disappeared in the dip between.  Houghton Regis is surrounded by lovely vistas which lift my spirits when I take to the footpaths.  The northern boundary certainly has some treasures to reveal to those who make the effort!