#dunstable downs

Dunstable Downs, UK

A mother yak tends to one of two baby yaks born at Whipsnade zoo

British orchids thriving in Dunstable Downs 'sunken trails'

Acres of arable fields left to revert to meadow three years ago have become a hotbed for rare British orchids.

Eight species of the flower are in bloom on the slopes of sunken trails etched out by sheep walking on the Dunstable Downs over hundreds of years.

The area in Bedfordshire, managed by the National Trust, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the presence the orchids.

Ranger Anthony Lambert said the Downs had become a "hidden gem".

The orchids only flower during June and have thrived in the recent wet spell, he said.

On the evening we had the choice of the Wetherspoons pub ‘The Standard Bearer’ which was 30 seconds away from the hotel and the Leisure Park (five minutes’ walk away next to the train station) which consisted of restaurant chains Nando’s, TGI Friday, Prezzo, KFC, McDonalds, Wagamama and Ask Italian. Along with a bowling alley and cinema, we had a drink in the busy bowling alley before killing some zombies in the arcade.

The hotel itself was pretty standard and clean with helpful staff (when the shower broke and our constant requests for glasses of ice for our wine). The buffet breakfast was good and it wasn’t very busy so enough to go around and no big queues. Quality and quantity.

Why Stevenage? It’s not on our bucket lists, but it was only thirty-minute drive away from Luton Airport. Monsieur X flew in from Marseille (80€ return with EasyJet) and only stayed three nights so we didn’t want to go far. Instead we sampled the countryside and a few towns. I wanted to show him rural England and also, I needed a break from the city and to breathe in some fresher air.

Dunstable Downs

Perfect place to clear out the cobwebs and in my case the city smog. We were lucky it was a clear day. I’m not a country walker expert so we followed the map and arrows (only got lost once). Part of the ‘purple’ route was just a road of mud and my trainers were covered but hey it’s only dirt. It’s very easy to describe – green! The photos explain the Downs better that me. We were lucky it was a sunny day in January, I told Monsieur X this is what England would look like in the summer just a tiny bit warmer. Walking through the countryside with my friend felt good, all I just needed was a dog for full effect.

  St Albans

The town centre gets busy on a Saturday afternoon, it took us ages to find a parking spot and even longer to find somewhere to eat. We ended up at Bellaccino’s Italian Restaurant, 17 French Row. The macaroni cheese was gorgeous and a good price (£9) and Monsieur X’s calzone was massive! After we walked around the Cathedral grounds at sunset which gave off a nice effect and he was impressed with the Cathedral interior too. There was a service on at the time and hearing the amazing choir added a little something to our walkaround.

Welwyn Garden City

A quiet Sunday morning, blue skies again (very cold thou), a stroll around the ?? fountain, coffee at Costa and then a treasure hunt around the residential roads (beautiful big houses) in search for a blue plague. Apparently, R L Reiss (social reformer and pioneer) is related to me, so I told Monsieur X my family own the area… yeah, he didn’t believe me either.

  So, then he left on a jet plane again, don’t know when he will be back again. Time to start saving for hopefully our next adventure.

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv7X-4U04Gg)

Check out this short film of my Gliding Experience at the London Gliding Club, Dunstable. Set up as a birthday treat from my daughters Yasmin & Marie, I had a fantastic time and loved every minute of it.