Sawbridgeworth to Roydon - Around Essex (15)

Took a while to get under way this morning but by the time I was finally walking the early mist had burned away & it had become a glorious day - shorts & tee-shirt all the way!

Had intended to park in Bishop's Stortford, catch a train to Sawbridgeworth, follow the Stort southwards until I'd had enough & then hop on a train back; easy as the railway, more-or-less, follows the line of the river & the county boundary

First problem was that I couldn't find anywhere to leave the car in Bishop's Stortford for longer than 5 hours; problem number 2 was that the Sawbridgeworth car park was full & so I ended up at Harlow Town station, half-way through my planned walk!

Soon discovered what was to be the biggest problem of my day - I'd forgotten my wrist-watch!
Undeterred, I took a train north!

Sheering Mill Lock & part of the attractive riverside housing estate built on the site of one of Sawbridgeworth's old maltings

Harlow Mill Lock

Never before seen the moorings here deserted or the pub car-park so empty!
Could have popped in for a pint but I hardly felt as if I'd started walking yet!

Highlight of the Day: my weakness for sculptures again!

The River Stort Sculpture Trail has been created since I last walked here &, though I couldn't reach the 'globes' at Burnt Mill Lock because of repair work to the canal, I stumbled across one or two others not included in the original project!

Designed 'to celebrate our heritage of the waterway', the sign on the left isn't part of the trail but is an attractive reminder of the wildlife that can be found along the way

'Mill' by Nicola Burrell, near Laxton Lock

There was a water mill here as early as 1449 which was in use until the end of the 19th century

On driving through Harlow this morning I saw a huge sign proclaiming it to be 'The Sculpture Town'
All news to me until I reached home & did a little research
Apparently there are over 80 works of art on display around the town!

Sounds like a good project for one of these foggy mornings.... particularly as I now have a list & a map!
Here are a couple not on the list, or on the Stort Sculpture Trail, from just above Burnt Mill Lock

Resisted the temptation to visit the enormous
 'Moorhen' pub beside Harlow Marina & headed instead for this older establishment just over the border into Hertfordshire

Originally 'The Bakers Arms', this McMullen pub was renamed the 'Railway Inn' & then became 'The Dusty Miller' when Harlow's new town pubs were named after butterflies & moths!
Nothing to do with the countless mills along the Stort, the pub took its name from the fishing fly!

Beer of the Day: a rather 'dusty' pint of McMullen's AK - I've had this recommended to me but it tasted past its best & lacks flavour

There has been a mill on this site for over 1000 years but the current Parndon Mill is little over 100 years old & is home to artists, craftsmen & a popular gallery

Back on the Sculpture Trail!
This raised walkway in concrete, metal & glass close to Parndon Mill Lock is, unsurprisingly. called 'Over the Weir'!

Last of the riverside pieces
'Flowing Onwards' was created by Angela Godfrey from a piece of Durham gritstone & bears the words of engineer, Thomas Yeoman, from his speech made at the 1769 opening of the canal

Lovely Hunsdon Mill Lock, just east of Roydon

Discovered I could find out the time from my camera which was useful as there is no clock or information screen at Roydon Station! Just had to remember I hadn't altered it when the clocks went back!

Song of the Day: on returning home I was sad to learn that Jackie Leven died last night - composer & performer of a couple of Songs of the Day on LeJog
His 'Some Ancient Misty Morning' seems to fit the bill given our Essex weather at the moment but his recent album, 'Wayside Shrines & The Code of the Travelling Man' is equally appropriate