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The first official walk of 2024! Remember, if It's not on the blog it doesn't count! I have actually done quite a bit of walking, but all very local, and nothing to write home about. It has been bitterly cold too with days of subzero temperatures. A change is on the way though as things start to warm up.There are weather warnings in place this weekend for 80 mph winds.... We should be OK today as Sunday is expected to suffer the worst of conditions. Starting point today is the village of Rothersthorpe in Northamptonshire.
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More specifically we are outside the Church of St Peter & St Paul. On the opposite side of the road a board shows some interesting features around the village. Right in front of us is 'The Berry', medieval fortifications dating from the late Anglo Saxon period. There is also a 'Motte and Bailey' which stood at the centre of medieval Rothersthorpe. We walk downhill passing the Manor House to the bottom of the village. Turning right we then pick up the footpath on the left. We cross the field diagonally to the corner. We cross the concrete bridge over the brook into the next field. Following the field edge we arrive at the towpath of the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal.
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Crossing over the small footway to the other side, following the towpath in the direction of Gayton Marina. This is a busy stretch of the canal with 17 Locks over 4.8 miles. It is a connector between the Grand Union Canal and Northampton. It was first opened on 1st May 1815. Almost immediately the Arm began to carry a large volume of merchandise and stayed busy for over 100 years through to after the First World War. There is always something very pleasing about walking canalside, I might have mentioned this on other walks.
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After about a mile we arrive at Gayton Marina. It's a hub for boat hire, very quiet though as out of season. You can go off in all sorts of direction and routes from here. We continue as far as Gayton Junction. It is here that we turn right in the direction of Braunston which is 16 miles away. We keep going until we reach the second bridge.There are still patches of ice on the water despite the thawing out. I won't be risking stepping out though that is for sure. Sadly we have to leave the canal as we head back cross country. It is still very cold with the windchill factor. My fingers are numb and I regret not bringing some gloves.
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Walking the field edge there are no obvious signs of any footpath. There is always a sense of jeopardy as you get towards the end and hope to see a gap in the hedge or a helpful sign. Otherwise It is a case of backtracking and finding an alternative option. It is with some relies that a gap appears and drops down to a very pleasant little footbridge over the stream. There are still a few couple more large fields to negotiate after leaving the copse. Considering all the rain recently conditions underfoot are not too boggy. Just one last little hiccup, this is resolved by crossing to the other side of the hedge. The village of Rothersthorpe and the Church comes into view.
It has only been a short walk today at just over 4 miles. Enjoyable as always though and a route I shall keep in mind for better weather when it can be extended.
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