Well after the rain and sleet of Friday, Saturday was a much more pleasant day, sunshine and perfect temperatures as I walked from Maidwell to Flore, just to the west of Northampton. I didn't break the 100 mile marker, but tantalisingly close at 99 miles, I did take a couple of wrong turns yesterday though, so I'm claiming it, even though its not to the official mile markers in the book! Actually if I'm claiming wrong turns I probably hit it about 3 walks ago!
The walk was good, there are some beautiful views, Northamptonshire has been a lovely county to walk through, with some lovely, pictuesue ironstone villages as well. The walks are a bit more challenging, but rewarding.
My animal magnetism continued with the cows, in fact at one bit, I had to walk up and down the other side of a fence, until the cows got bored of following me before I crossed the field, even then I was a bit uncomfortable as they all trotted behind me until I got to the other side of the field. I don't have the same effect on sheep they just run away, so I'm clearly more of a bull than a ram!
 |
| Gt Brington Church |
Today's walk took me past the Althrop estate and through the lovely village of Great Brington. After a long steady uphill climb I saw the Althrop Coaching Inn, as I was making good progress, and the hill had just about finished me off, I thought I'd stop and have a pint and sandwich. It is a lovely pub, with a good selection of real ales on, I was tempted to taste a couple of the beers but I thought if I have a second a third might follow, I didn't want to be staggering around the great outdoors trying to find an unmarked path at midnight, so I stuck to just the one.
The pub has a lovely beer garden and as I was sat soaking up the sun, I started chatting to a coupe about the walk. They donated £20 to Macmillan Cancer Support, I didn't even ask their names (how rude is that) anyway thank you to them.
 |
| Beer Garden |
For the 100 miles I've walked so far (ok then 99m!) I've been unhindered, I might have got lost a few times, and sometimes the waymarker signs and book don't appear to marry up, but the path when I find it has always been open and unobstructed. So I was frustrated after crossing the M1 and at the entry to Flore to find the path blocked by Harris Fencing as a new housing development was underway. I couldn't see any diversion signs, so I just had to climb over the adjoining fences, into someones as front garden. The path was there you just couldn't get to it. I've tweeted Bovis Construction, so let's see if they respond.
I made it to the White Hart, Flore my finishing point for the day. I was planning on getting a taxi to my Airbnb in Upton, but the lovely lady behind the bar said there was a bus that stopped outside the pub that would take me to Upton. I'd say almost perfect planning on my part!
Last walk for this weekend on Sunday, Flore to Chipping Warden, then hopefully taxi to Banbury Station and train to Stamford.
No comments:
Post a Comment