Ashridge and Ivinghoe Beacon

I didn't sleep well last night and overslept by 30 minutes this morning, so I changed my plans and instead of driving for an hour to do a walk in Oxfordshire, I did a local walk round Ashridge and Ivinghoe Beacon. I started from the monument at Ashridge and walked in an anti-clockwise direction - I was generally following the route of the Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail, but cut it short in a few places so that I walked about 12 miles rather than the full 16.

Another cold day, but overcast and little frost on the ground. Very chilly when exposed to the east wind. Very enjoyable as always going through the beech woods. There was a nice section alongside a wide expanse of rough grass on Northchurch Common. The views from the Beacon were limited because of the grey conditions, down to maybe 10 miles when on a clear day you can see for 40.

I saw a Muntjac deer very early on the walk, and twice saw some Fallow deer (took a photo, but not very good). Saw a Kestrel hovering over Northchurch Common. Fleeting glance of what was probably a great spotted woodpecker (right size, black and white, flew into tree and hid behind branch). Saw three Buzzards as I went through a wood called The Coombe just before reaching Ivinghoe Beacon. Several Jays and Magpies.