Grendon, Castle Ashby & Easton Maudit Circular Walk

It has been a while since I last did a local walk, time to put that to rights. A good friend of mine wanted to have a look at the Church in Easton Maudit so a shortish walk was planned. The starting point today is the village of Grendon or 'Grenrian' as the locals call it. I've often seen seen a footpath sign in Grendon and wondered where it goes to? Today is the day I will find out. The path in question is just over the way from the Crown Inn. It is down a narrow alley that could easily be missed.  Passing through the gate the view then opens up across the meadow towards Castle Ashby. We cross over the stile into the next field which has been ploughed. The footpath is straight through but hasn't been marked. We decide to take the longer route around the field edge. Far less muddy too.

We make our way round to where the path would have come out. We follow the road that takes us past Castle Ashy House to our right. There are lots of fishing lakes around the estate. There is also a large lake designated for open water swimming. Something I've quite fancied having a go at for the health benefits. We make a detour to have a closer look. Looks as though a couple have been in already and warming up. We meet a chap on our way back who extols the many benefits of open water swimming. Definitely something I will come back to , albeit it when it has warmed up a bit...

The road takes us to a T junction, at which we turn right before taking the footpath through the hedge on the left. There is the sound of a Woodpecker in the distance, we later see a pair with their distinctive flight pattern. We are well on the way towards Easton Maudit 

Castle Ashby Swimming Lake

It's a lovely stretch of the walk, wide open spaces, Skylarks singing and best of all blue skies and sunshine. Continuing on the footpaths we arrive in Easton Maudit. I've done a couple of walks in this area before. We leave the fields and head up into the village  where the Church of St Peter and St Paul comes into view.The graveyard of course has a famous resident; the Actor and Wit 'Derek Nimmo' who did once lie in the village. I'm pleased to see the remains of the gnarly old Oak tree are still there.It is just about hanging on with plenty of support to keep it upright

Easton Maudit Church

We leave the Church turning right and take the the footpath marked by some beautiful 'Cedar of Lebanon' trees. The path is very obvious and takes us past some old farm buildings. Plenty of old Owl pellets scattered around under the beams. No sign of any Owls today though sadly. The path then sweeps to the left in the direction of Grendon. Once again we walk around the field edge, we should really have gone diagonally to find the footbridge. After a bit of searching we did eventually find the path.

St Mary's Church Grendon

We cross a couple of horse paddocks before arriving back in Grendon. We pass the Church which is open and take a little look inside.Originally built in the 12th century, the nave arcades and the chancel were rebuilt between 1368 and 1380, with the clerestory being added in the 15th century along with the four storey tower. It has been a cracking little walk, a total of around 6 miles covered. 

The John Bunyan Trail (8) Elstow & Cardington

A perfect early Spring day

Back in 'Bunyan Country' , or so the road sign tells us as we cross in to Bedfordshire. What a lovely day it is too. Probably the best one of the year so far. Driving in we passed the giant Grade II listed Airship Hangars at Cardington. They will provide the backdrop to much of the walk today. More of those later when we are likely to get much nearer. The starting point today is 'Cotton End', a small village next to the A600. The first part refers to cotes or cottages. The name thus means Cottages End. We cut trough the houses into open countryside close to the Bird of Prey Centre at 'Herring's Green'. Close by is a small wooded area 'Shocott Spring' which was created in 2005. A startled 'Chinese Water Deer' bolts out of the undergrowth giving us a bit of a shock!

We pick up the Bunyan Trail close to Cotton End Farm. First impressions aren't great as we pass an abandoned vehicle in the hedge. Thankfully things do improve though as we follow the linear track towards Elstow. In the wide expanse of fields we spot at least seven more Chines Water Deer. They seem quite content to do their thing under the public gaze , albeit at a safe distance. I remember reading somewhere that there a re now more Chinese Water Deer in the UK than China. Lovely to feel the warm sunshine in this T shirt weather. The sound of the Skylark is ever  present. I see my first Butterfly of the year , a bright yellow 'Brimstone', what could be better?

The 'Bunyan Trail'

 

The very pleasant walk continues past various water ditches that have been dug out. A passing Dog Walker tells me that It is very common to see the Deer having a drink in these. We pass through an area called 'Medbury Cottages' next to Medbury Farm.We are now approaching Elstow, birthplace of Bunyan in 1628. We are about 2 miles south of Bedford Town Centre. We take a slight detour to the village Green where the Moot Hall Can be found. The timber framed building would have served as the Market Hall. The moot hall was one of the venues at which Bunyan would have developed his nonconformist views. On the Green are the last remains of what would have been the Market Cross. 

The Moot Hall Elstow

Bunyan would have attended Elstow Abbey Church which is just over from The Green. It is unusual as it has a detached 'Bell Tower'. The tower is thought to have been the inspiration for the castle of Beelzebub from which Bunyan portrayed arrows being shot at pilgrims entering the gate in his ‘Pilgrims Progress’.There are six bells. The fifth is commonly called the Bunyan Bell, because it is believed that Bunyan rang it. The Abbey was originally a Benedictine Nun monastery dating to 1075,closing in 1539.

Elstow Abbey Church

Inside the Church are a couple of stained glass windows dedicated to John Bunyan. Sadly we couldn't get in to have a look. One of the Church doors may well have been the the thinking behind the 'Wicket Gate' in the Pilgrims Progress'.

It is thought that Elstow is the inspiration for 'The City of Destruction' in the 'Pilgrims Progress'. Walking down the tranquil High St today doesn't really give that feeling of impending doom. Somewhere along the line we seem to have missed the Blue Plaque marking the birthplace. We follow the brook as we move away from the village. Sadly it seems to be the place where shopping trolleys come to die, along with various other rubbish. It's a real shame that people have decided to use this stretch as a dumping ground. 'Keep to the path! Or risk sinking in to the Slough of Despond'. We cross the busy A21 passing 'College Farm'.    

A 600 yard detour is made, it would have been rude not too wouldn't it. We are at 'Bunyan's Farm. where the great man was born. The stone was erected during the Festival Of Britain in 1951. Our planned route hits upon a problem... The housing estate we need to cut through has a large locked electric gate. We take a detour on the cycle way and carefully pick our way through the houses. Leaving the large estate the unmistakable sight of the Cardington Hangars. Imagine waking up, opening the curtains and seeing those monsters. 

Cardington Hangars

Before becoming RAF Cardington the site was in private hands. A time when Airships ruled the roost. Sort Brothers bought the land and constructed a 700-foot-long (210 m) hangar to build two Airships, the R31and R32.The hangar was extended between October 1924 and March 1926. Its roof was raised by 35 feet and its length increased to 812 feet. This in preparation for the R101 project. A government programme to develop civil airships capable of service on long-distance routes across the empire.Sadly the R101crashed on It's maiden voyage, pretty much ending Airship development. These days Hangar 1 is used as a film studio. Hangar 2 seems to be used for explosives testing. 

It has been a great walk , some really interesting sights. A total distance of 9.5 miles. 

The Story of Guitar Heroes - Northampton Derngate

 

The Derngate Northampton

Sunday night and I find myself on home turf at the Derngate for the first time this year. Bit of an unknown quantity too tonight? Not something that would ordinarily grab my attention enough to lure me away from home comforts on  a chilly February evening. However Mrs A saw it advertised on that phone thing of hers and the next I new she had only gone and splashed the hard earned on a couple of tickets. 

Pretty good tickets they were too! Not quite last minute but purchased recently we knew we wouldn't be sitting together.I was going to be in the row behind. However a kind lady had a spare seat on the front row, next to my wife and offered it up. So we were together after all, which was nice although I did have to share my Jelly Beans every time she heard my pocket rustle. Turns out that her husband is a Drummer of high renowned locally.I shall give the his band 'Early Nights' a plug on here for what it is worth. We are right over on the right hand side. There is already an impressive array of guitars standing proud at the back of the stage. I purposely hadn't researched the format for tonight so prepare my self for some thrills, excitement and maybe even the odd surprise. All will be revealed in the fullness of time no doubt. 

A large video projection screen at the back welcomes us to the start of the story back in the late 1950's. I didn't write down the running order so please forgive any inaccuracies. We had the Shadows with 'Apache, Buddy Holly and Eddie Cochrane to kick us off. Before moving on to the likes of Hendrix and Clapton. It's a fantastic start on a night that promises to pay tribute and homage to the most influential and iconic guitarists of the last 50 years.    

'Front man' and brainchild of the project 'Phil Walker' is an enigmatic character. Reminiscent in looks to the snooker player 'Shaun Murphy' I thought.  He is quick to introduce his fellow band mates. On stage we have 'Ben Kapur'  (Lead Guitar,Bass Guitar & Vocals). Very much a s Blues/ Rock style and influenced by the likes of Gary Moore & Joe Bonamassa. Andy Leslie-Smith (Lead Guitar,Bass Guitar & Vocals). A member of both Foo Fighters and Green Day tribute bands. Chris Allan ( Drums, Lead Guitar and Vocals). His biggest influence throughout his career has been the late, great 'Cozy Powell.  

Most of my photos are taken from the second half of the show. It's hard to tell being at the front if anybody else has got their phone out. A lot of artists and indeed venues get very unhappy about such things. Anybody who has read any of the reviews from The Stables MK will know exactly what I mean. I can never really understand why a band wouldn't want the publicity. As long as the person with the phone is respectful, and doesn't annoy anyone else. Thankfully the band see it that way too and photography is encouraged, as long as you tag them in of course. Phil doesn't tell us this though until just before the interval. It's then like a starting gun has gone off as phones are hastily retrieved from pockets. Highlights from the first set includes a bit of metal courtesy of 'Black Sabbath' and Paranoid with Chris Allan swapping his sticks for the guitar. We have the classic and every aspiring Guitar Heroes favourite 'Smoke on the Water' by Deep Purple, as if you needed telling. Richie Blackmore is my favourite guitarist it has to be said. We had the furry Spinning guitars of ZZ Top and the a bit of Paul Kossoff with 'All Right Now' by Free. 

Phil jokingly tells us that one of the questions he gets asked the most is 'where can I buy merchandise for the show'? You can get kitted out in a whole new wardrobe if you so desire.  After the shameless but forgiven pluggery comes the real answer. Which guitar solo is the most difficult to play? The answer is perhaps a little surprising? He cites 'Albert Lee' and the song 'Country Boy'. It's a real 'finger picking' style song which Albert still plays live today and he is now in his 80's. I struggle I'm almost forty Phil quips with a wry smile and groans from his band mates. Apologies for those songs Ive failed to mention. We gone to the interval in fine style with a segment from 'Pink Floyd' and 'Comfortably Numb'. All the lights and lasers too create for a spectacular climax. The playing as it has been all evening is impeccable.The band leave to rapturous applause in search of a cup of tea and custard cream biscuit or something similar. Oh how times have changed, instead of rushing to the bar to get a quick pint in. I am now more than content to stay in my seat and enjoy a slightly overpriced tub of Ice Cream (Chocolate).Very nice it was too , once I'd manage to thaw it out a bit.

 

Ben Kapur' in Eddie Van Halen mode

 The second half kicks of with a bit of Dire Straits. One of my favourite bands from the 80's. I remember seeing them at the Birmingham NEC on the 'Brothers in Arms Tour'. They were absolutely massive around that time. The song 'Money for Nothing' gets us back into the swing of things. Not one of my favourite tracks if I'm honest. Oh for Sultans of Swing.. But the set list changes to keep things fresh , maybe next time?Who doesn't love a bit of 'Van Halen' I certainly do. Tonight we have the big hit 'Jump' played on the 'Eddie Van Halen' 'Frankenstrat' that is so recognisable. All of the guitars used in the show are authentic to those used by the original artists. There is over thirty of them too! Must be worth a few pounds. One of the most recognisable guitars is the purple ' symbol' guitar similar to the one used by 'Prince' or whatever he was calling himself at the time. Whatever its a great version of 'Purple Rain'. One of the songs I really enjoyed was from someone I'm not over familiar with 'Steve Vai'. A three time Grammy award winner so hes not too shabby. Very much an individualist, virtuoso style and rated in the world's top 10 guitarists.A tough act to pull off , but pull it off they did with some aplomb. 

Phil Walker & The Prince 'Symbol' guitar

There is some serious talent on show tonight, intermixed with good humour, audience involvement and a touch of nostalgia. The second half highlight would have to be 'Phil Walker' blasting out his inner 'Brian May' of Queen with 'Brighton Rock' and part of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. A backdrop of Freddie  Mercury strutting his stuff on the big screen as only Freddie could do. 

What a night it has been! It isn't over yet though as the band return fir a tribute to the Rolling stones. All four playing the same guitar at one stage. I can't sign off without mentioning 'Andy Leslie-Smith' who really was moving like 'Jagger'. A great night was had by all I have no doubt.   A real history lesson , they should teach this sort of thing in schools.  We really look forward to seeing the band again next time round.