Despite an unusually wet weather forecast and slightly more complicated travel arrangements, 17 of us gathered at Watford Junction for Simon C’s linear walk to St.Albans as part of the Ver-Colne walk. Simon told us a little of Watford’s history and shortly after setting off we stopped to look at the surprisingly stunning building of the London Orphanage Asylum. This extensive site, now a modern housing development but retaining several of the original elaborate Victorian buildings, was built in Watford in 1871. The establishment was created in 1813 by Rev. Dr. Andrew Reed as a charitable institution for the schooling and care of fatherless children. It moved to Watford after a deadly typhus epidemic in London. We then continued towards the River Colne path and soon the rain was starting to fall and with the cool wind we were back into our winter gear and the hot sunny walk of the previous week seemed a distant memory. We headed northwards, through playing fields and woodland areas before crossing the busy A41 and out into the Munden estate. Unbrellas up and heads down into the rain, we walked on through this pretty and very large estate, passing Munden House and Little Munden farm before emerging into fields and dropping down to the Drop Lane ford, where the River Ver completes its course and continues on as the River Colne towards Watford. The river was flowing strongly and had noticeably risen a few inches from its normal level. Our proposed lunch stop in the car park off Drop Lane was too wet and so we opted to go a little further and stop for our lunch under the M25 bridge just beyond Moor Mill. This proved dry, at least, but provided no seating or quiet with the motorway thundering above us. The passing river was pleasant, though.

Lunch over, we continued on to the Frogmore lakes which are a series of very attractive former gravel pits now a watery haven for wildlife and fishing folk. We shared our memories of a previous visit where wading through flood water was the experience of many. Thankfully, just a few small puddles on this walk.

Leaving the lakes we passed some very quaint cottages and then up Colney Street for a bit before turning off and out into wide open meadows. The area had a moorland feel to it and was clearly in the river flood plain. We treaded cautiously as water oozed up around our feet but it was passable. Over the river the ground was much drier and wetland grasses gave way to large clumps of thistles with very pretty flowers. My app says that they were Musk Thistles. We shortly arrived into Sopwell and followed the pretty river path to Verulamium Park. A few dropped out at this point to catch the bus back to Watford but most continued a little further through this attractive park, whilst hoping to catch site of the elusive kingfisher on the river bank. Sadly no sightings today but we visited the park cafe for a welcome hot drink and a sit down. Simon had one last treat in store and we walked in warm sunshine to see a Roman floor mosaic in its original location but protected inside a purpose built building. Information boards explained how it once was heated with underfloor hot air ducting and was part of a much larger building. It was in excellent condition despite its almost 2000 year age.

The walk back across the park to the Abbey Station was delightful and in warm sunshine with the Cathedral looking so magnificent. Despite the less-than-ideal weather it had been a good walk and in an area that we do not often visit. Thank you Simon.