A Walk to Willen Lake
Those who know us well will know that in May 2017 we were in Milton Keynes, UK for the saddest of reasons, we went to say goodbye to our dear sister in law Paula, who was taken from us aged just 45.
Paula fought like a wolverine against the numerous cancers that besieged her tiny frame. She never gave up and made that deplorable disease work so hard for every inch of ground even though she knew it was a battle that would ultimately end in the loss of her precious life. We all feel robbed and incredibly angry at a world where such things are commonplace, but the emotional trauma suffered by friends and family, pales against the terrible loss felt by Paula's mum, husband and son who were truly robbed by an unforgiving world. |
Paula was nursed in her final days by the exceptional staff at Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes, UK. Their professional, dedicated and genuinely caring approach, to what must be the most challenging of roles, helped Paula make the transition without pain and with great dignity. Their support also helped us all bear the emotional trauma of those final hours at her bedside. At the time of writing there is a 'JustGiving' page open in Paula's name for donations to Willen Hospice, I would ask that if you can donate anything at all, then please do, simply click THIS LINK and follow the instructions on the 'JustGiving' page, it would mean a great deal to all of the family members, and you would be helping others make that almost inconceivable transition in the most difficult of times.
A week after losing little Paula I decided to make the walk from her house in Broughton, Milton Keynes to Willen Lake where she spent her final days, using the pathways she herself loved to walk. I started out close to Corfe Meadows Lake which blends into Broughton Linear Park.
It's a beautiful morning that saw a passing shower end almost as soon as it started just as I set out from the house heading for the interconnected pathways that sprawl throughout Milton Keynes.
There are good solid bridges for every crossing of the brook in Broughton Linear Park and so many route choices that you can almost walk anywhere you'd like and still reach your destination (as long as you maintain a northwest heading)
The brook itself is a small murky looking stream that meanders the whole way with you but don't let looks deceive you, the water just picks up colour from the muddy banks, there are numerous fish 'topping' and plenty of wildlife enjoying the sanctuary of the wetlands area around that small grey/green ribbon.
The underpasses that allow you to cross and recross roads throughout the Milton Keynes area may be less than salubrious but the practicality of the traverse cannot be denied.
I walked along Broughton Linear Park until it links to Kingswear Linear Park then continued through until reaching the large roundabout at it's end. From here it's a short distance on the continuing path to the south end of Willen Lake.
The lake is actually a balancing lake (flood basin) created on the river Ouzel and designed to capture flash floods from the urban environment. In the spring sunshine it's simply a lovely place to be.
The south basin is predominantly leisure use with all kinds of watersports taking place frequently, windsurfing, sailing, paddle boats and wake boarding to name but a few. There's a hotel, bar and even a gym along with cycle hire and a coffee shop.
Best of all are the local goose and swan populations that pester visitors for snacks making for easy photo opportunities.
The bar that spills out of the hotel at the lakeside attracts a variety of customers and the restaurant and adjacent pizza place do nothing to aid tranquility at this end of the lake, fortunately it doesn't seem to bother the local bird life at all.
Moving north along the western shoreline and away from the hustle and bustle of the urban environment takes me along a tree lined avenue that resembles the Joshua Trees of California, they are in fact trimmed willow trees that have begun regrowing.
The western side of the lake is immediately more tranquil, the shouting from the 'selfie crowd' has abated and the sun is bouncing across the rippled surface of the lake, the swan population here are equally curious.
A small protrusion along the west bank of the lake holds a play area, bandstand, ice cream and picnic area along with toilets and a steel cable driven wakeboarding centre.
Further along is the "Circle of Hearts Medicine Wheel" and though it has an information board I walked right past it, the name is enough to have me rolling the eyes.
Moving into the north bay of the lake is an altogether more tranquil experience, there are far fewer people and the sounds of the city are lost. The Buddhist 'Peace Pagoda' makes for an interesting side trip.
Looking out from the Pagoda toward the western side of the north bay of Willen Lake, the sky is full of beautiful fluffy clouds and there are few people around to clutter up the place.
There are more natural areas in the north bay, which is a wildlife sanctuary popular with migrating aquatic birds.
The lakeshore is smattered with aquatic plants of all kinds, none more striking than the lovely irises dancing in the breeze that's whipping up the water as I walk the western shoreline.
As I round the northern end of the lake the Willen Hospice comes into view, this is where Paula spent her final days with family at her bedside throughout. I see her room with double doors looking out toward the lake and the bird table that brought constant activity to the scene.
The memories are still raw and I turn away, with hospice now behind me I look directly south toward the lake, there's a path that stops abruptly, seemingly unfinished, there's no pier or jetty, no bench or resting place it just stops abruptly, metaphorically reflecting the very reason I find myself standing here.
As I move on I walk past a family in tears, huddled around a table in the grounds of the hospice we catch each others gaze for a moment and it's a mirror to my life one week ago, only this time I am the world moving on and they are the heartbroken souls. I know that when the time comes the staff at Willen will support them, will provide words of comfort (though little comfort is really possible) they will let you sit undisturbed, quietly bringing food and drink, ensuring your connection to the rest of the world until you can start moving again.
Leaving the hospice behind me I continue on along the east shoreline toward the river Ouzel and it's spillways linking to Willen Lake. There's an occasional storm moving through but no rain, and there's a curious swan following me along as I walk.
Further along opposite the Peace Pagoda a carp fisherman is taking rest inside his bivvy, (fishing is another one of the available options on Willen Lake) his rods are secured to his sleeping quarters as the refreshing breeze forms small white waves across the water.
It's a short walk across the spillway between Willen Lake and the River Ouzel to the small crossing leading onto the protrusion from the west bank, where a bird hide attracts lots of attention from both wildlife and people.
The east side of the lake is without doubt the area most suited to peace and reflection, there are far fewer people here, no park, no ice cream or beer and no food, leaving it more secluded and definitely more tranquil.
From the south east corner of Willen I rejoined the pathway I'd entered from 2 hours ago and made my way back to Broughton. I took a different route through the two linear parks on the way back but still called in at Corfe Meadows Lake before heading back to the house.
This was an enjoyable urban walk, a little over 6 miles with no discernable ascent at all, it's certainly one I would do again should time allow. If you enjoyed sharing this walk with me then please consider donating to the JustGiving Page in Paula's name and help support wonderful Willen Hospice as they support others in need.