The Raging Bull!

Brampton Ash Church

Re joining my walk feels like catching up with an old friend, I have a nice warm glow looking forward to the walk and twists and turns ahead. It was tinged with a bit of sadness though as I was unable to bring my little mate Oscar with me, because I was unable to find any accommodation that would take dogs. As I left the house he looked at me with those big sad dog eyes, as much as to say I know what you are doing!

Halfway through today's walk I had a phone call from my youngest daughter, Meg, to say she had reached Everest Base Camp. What a fantastic achievement, I think elated but exhausted would be a good description, you can follow her exploits here Well done Meg.

Today was a walk of two halves, Brampton Ash to Maidwell (just south of the A14) a total of 13 miles. The first section was up and down dale around the Jordan valley - I never knew there was a river Jordan, they say travel broadens the mind! This was followed by a walk along the Brampton Valley Way, a disused railway line that used to connect Market Harborough to Northampton. It was flat but interesting esp walking through two tunnels the longest of which was 480m. My guide book said bring a torch, which of course is forgot to pack, but you really do need one, it was pitch black I just set my eyes on the exit and hoped I didn't twist an ankle on the pot holed path.

My most embarrassing moment of the walk was that I started singing a few Sheffield Wednesday songs in the tunnel (full throttle) to test the echo, echo, echo, only to find someone sat on a bench as I exited, with shall we say a sympathetic expression on his face.

Now Alison always says I'm a bit of a raging bull in the bedroom ....... or is it a bull in a China Shop ..........  I can never remember, anyway it doesn't matter, in my mind it's all the same thing. I was approaching a field with grazing cows, attached to the gate was a warning sign 'Beware of the Bull'. I had a good look round and decided it was safe to press on. But what I wasn't expecting was a stampede of cows! As I started walking through the field. It was as though I had some animal magnetism, 'the bull is here' i could see them thinking - hey, I've not pulled anything else on this walk! I started walking faster as the cows ran around me and eventually I broke into a run. I've never been so relieved to see a stile, get me out of this field! As I attempted a graceful leap over the stile I slipped and fell over, ripping the under carriage of my trousers!

Don't you just hate it when your wife is right, I mean she always is, but I'd been resisting bringing a spare pair of walking trousers, I eventually relented, and with a huff shoved them in my bag - they will be pressed into service tomorrow.

I'm staying at The Stag in Maidwell tonight, lovely pub with real ale and great good value food. I was just wondering if I could make a weekend of it in the pub, but my conscience got the better of me. So day 7 tomorrow, Maidwell to Flore, I think I'm getting close to the 100 mile mark.



                          Macmillan Way Home    Donate    Map    Home