In Nature

SPENDING THE HOTTEST DAYS OF THE YEAR AROUND WATER

I would normally head to the sea side to be near water, but someone recommended something different to me, and I decided to take that up. In the middle of Hertfordshire there are these two lakes next to each other. I'm not actualy sure if they're the same lake, split in half by a bridge, but looking at the map, they do seem to be two independent lakes adjacent to each other. Heck, I'm not even sure if they are natural or not. I've not done any research at all, seeing I just got back a few minutes ago. What is natural, for sure, is the third water body there - the River Lea.

It was one of the hottest days of this year so far, with temperatures touching 35 degrees on the Celsius scale. I got there pretty early so I could also head home early-ish because I expected it to be busy there, being Sunday.

The first thing that struck me was how clean the water is there. It looked almost drinkable. I'm sure some people do drink it. One lake was dedicated to boating and the other to swimming and fishing. I'm not a competent swimmer anyway, but I wouldn't swim in a like, let alone one full of large fish. I know there are large fish in there because I witnessed one being caught (and thrown back). It was very large. I'd say it was about the size of a swan.

People were walking in the river which flows along one side of the lakes. You can pretty much keep walking as long as you want until you encounter a blockage - which would be a fallen tree across the river, or an actual gate built in it to prevent people from walking past a certain part of the river.

As expected, it became very busy with hundreds of families arriving. The river very quickly became full of very joyful kids and dogs. They were visibly relieved to cool off on such a hot day.

At that point I moved to sit under one of the many trees on a hill side from where I could observe most of the south lake. It was about an hour before that part became to packed for my liking. At that point I waved goodbye to the park and heading elsewhere.

I took a lot of photos and a few video clips which I plan to share when I do a proper post about this lovely place 30 minutes drive from London.

Peace & Love,

Adé