Wednesday A Walk 05 November 2014.  A delightful walk through the Fen Drayton Nature Reserve and along the banks of the Ouse.  Starts at RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes Reserve Car Park north of Holywell Lake (grid ref TL34265 69873).  I have not found a suitable post code.  7.3 am / 5.5 pm

By Bus: There is a convenient Guided Busway request stop called Fen Drayton Reserve.  Walk back towards Cambridge 50m and turn North for 300m at the crossing with a direction sign to car park along the Holywell Ferry Road (track); portaloo available at car park.  This must not be confused with the small car park at the southern edge of the Reserve nearest Fen Drayton between Elney Lake and Oxholme Lake to the south of the Guided Busway.

By Car: Turn off A14 at Jnc 28 (Cambridge Services) towards Swavesey and follow brown signposts to Nature Reserve.  On edge of Swavesey after ‘Boxworth End Farm’ take next Left.  After 1.3km turn right and after 500m turn left into Nature Reserve entrance (track).  After 1km at T Jnc turn right along Holywell Ferry Road and over the Guided Busway to the Car park 200m on the left.  Follow Blue line below:

The walk is about 12.5 miles through the Fenland Lakes Reserve to the St Ives Marina for coffee (toilets available).  Then continue to St Ives across the Chapel Bridge and follow the Ouse Valley Way to Holywell for lunch at the Old Ferry Boat Inn.  The Afternoon follows the Ouse valley Way to cross the Brownhill Staunch and lock to follow the Pathfinder Long Distance Walk upstream back to Fen Drayton Reserve.  This walk has much wildlife and on the recce I saw: 3 egrets, 2 heron, 2 green woodpeckers, 2 Jays, a fox and numerous wildfowl.  There are no cream teas at the end but the menu at the Ferry Boat is good and food is recommended.

Michael’s Telephone is 01480385145 or mobile 07950902826

PLEASE NOTE: START TIME WILL BE 10.15 TO FIT WITH BUS TIMETABLE FROM CAMBRIDGE