It is so good that it's always fully loaded and ready to go, as it makes spur of the moment trips like this so much easier. We fill up our spill proof jug with milk, grab the camera and we are off.
The sun is sinking a little lower in the sky and with the windows open a cooling breeze fills the cab as we set off along the winding country lanes. One thing I love about travelling like this, is how high up we are, the viewpoint is so much better. I can actually see over the hedgerows and glimpse things I just wouldn't have known were there from our normal 'car height' vantage point.
As we had no particular destination in mind, we set off in a direction we weren't too familiar with and hoped that as usual, serendipity would play a part. It was a glorious evening and looking over the patchwork fields was like watching a painting shifting as we moved.
Then we turned a corner and there in the distance sparkling in the sunlight was a vast expanse of water. We took the next turn and headed in that direction, navigating by keeping sight of the snatches of silver water through the sunlit trees. Before long we rounded a corner and there it was spread out in front of us.
We pulled into the shaded parking area and within minutes we had the kettle on and the side door open as we enjoyed the views.
After we had drank our coffee we decided to find out what this place was. We walked over to the sign that informed us that we were at Boddington Reservoir.
Apparently it was constructed in 1820 for the for The Oxford Canal Company and enlarged in 1883/84 when the top water level was raised by 3ft. It has a huge surface area of 72 acres and holds 204.6 million gallons.
Information digested, we saw an arrow pointing us in the right direction.
We followed a footpath from the parking area through an area lined with trees until the view opened out and we were finally beside the water. There were people fishing on the banks and lots of walkers enjoying the evening sunshine.
It was wonderful seeing the expanse of the water and after the warmth of the day, feeling the breeze. It was cooler now and so good to be so close to all of this beauty, we decided it would be nice to take a short walk a little way around the perimeter.
There were a multitude of birds swimming on the water, all in their own little groups as they serenly glided over the surface. The noisy gulls overhead added to the sound effects.
There were people sailing, agile boats and billowing sails skimming across the water, I was amazed at how fast they were going and stopped a while to watch.
As we made our way up the side of the reservoir, I kept thinking "we should turn back soon" but something about the sights and sounds kept us walking and before we knew it, we were a long way from where we started.
This walk was turning into a much longer one than the short stroll I had anticipated!
I finally said, "we really should turn back, we have come so far! it will be such a long way back to the bus." Joe replied, "maybe we can walk all the way round and then that would lead us back to where we are parked." I really wasn't sure, as the other bank looked wild and overgrown but agreed that we would carry on and find out.
The scenery started to change as we left the rock edged area of the reservoir and became more natural, more wild. I had to watch my footing now as I was walking over uneven rough grass rather than the managed path we had previously been walking on.
We rounded the top edge and by this time I was really hoping that we would be able to find a way through as the walk back was starting to feel daunting.
Then, on the far bank, I spotted some people through the trees, there was a way through! my heart lifted and suddenly I regained the spring in my step.
There was still a long way to go but soon we were round on the far bank and we left the bright sunlight and entered the tree shaded canopy.
I was startled by the beauty of the light dappling through the leaves and sparkling on the water, it was magical.
There were no hard, man made edges to the water here, it felt soft and natural and such a contrast from the far edge. It was beautiful.
We trudged on, ducking beneath branches and marvelling at the sunlight on the water. My bag was getting heavy so Joe hooked it over his shoulder. Our short walk had become quite a trek.
We crossed a wooden bridge and the path started to lead uphill, we figured we must be getting close to where the bus was parked.
Leaving the canopy of trees, we emerged back out into the sunshine and there in the distance we saw the car park and our trusty bus waiting for us. Well, that had certainly been an unexpected adventure.
Relieved to be finally back, we open the side door and take off our shoes. Tired but happy, I get myself comfortable as we look at the Sun going down over the glinting water in the distance and wait for the kettle to boil.
Boddington Reservoir
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