The John Bunyan Trail (3) Hexton to Shillington

It's one of those 'shall we, shan't we sort of days. The weather has been poor all week and has worsened with the arrival of Storm Darragh'. A Red Weather warning has been issued with winds forecast for 90 mph and flooding rain. The South-West of England and Wales are the most likely to be worst affected. The decision is made we are going to risk it! I for one would be glad of some fresh air and exercise after being shut in all week. The walk itself is only around 7 miles and there are points where we can can cut is short if need be. The journey down the motorway is pretty grim as expected. However as soon as we reach the starting point in the village of Hexton things are becalmed. The rain has ceased and the wind seems to have dropped a little. No time to waste we set off from outside The Raven Pub in Hexton. Something tells me that we may well be paying a visit in a few hours time. 

Looking at the map it looks like being a bit uneventful in terms of places of interest. We will be close to a few y they will either be obscured or inaccessible. We leave Hexton in an anti-clockwise direction down a pleasant lane. Blighted only by the presence of a couple of dozen used tyres. I didn't take a photo because it is too depressing and annoys me greatly. The map says we are passing close to a Mill on Mill Lane , where else? No sign f any Mill though. Just the Sewage  works. It's going to be that sort of day.

We pass 'Shillington Manor' which is well hidden behind a mass of trees. A bit further on though near 'Pirton' Grange we do pass a fully functioning Moat. Deep and flowing to the brim , not one of the dried up versions that is usually the case. Mind you given all the recent rain it is hardly surprising the ditches are so waterlogged.  

All Saints Church Shillington

In the distance the Church at Shillington stands proudly on the hill. A Grade 1 listed building dating mainly from the late 14th century. Described as the ‘Cathedral of the Chilterns’ by John Betjeman, the Church building dominates the village and the surrounding landscape. Father Christmas has even called by to open the Christmas Fayre. Just enough time to pass on my wish list. A local adage is that 'all roads lead away from Shillington' — somewhat true as more efficient routes avoid the village altogether. The Church is a contender for the most easterly in the triangular 'chalk belt' which includes most of South East England and East Anglia. 

Christmas Donkeys

Shillington is as far as we are going today. We loop round and begin the walk back through Hillfoot End. We cross a footbridge which is always a nice thing.Even better this time because there was a Mistletoe bush growing in a tree right by it. I couldn't resist picking a sprig to take home. In the Norse culture, the Mistletoe plant was a sign of peace and love. No doubt where the tradition of kissing under the Mistletoe comes from. 

We make our way back across Hexton Common. This will connect us back to Mill from where we started. Hexton dates from Saxon times, but was redeveloped as a ‘model’ village in the 1920s. 

We call into The Raven for that pint I mentioned at the beggining.A shortish walk at just over 7.4 miles. Very lucky really to get a walk in given the forecast.

Mostly Autumn - The Stables MK 2024

 

Johnny Dankworth

The roadworks that caused us problems this time last year don't seem to have improved. Thankfully we left early this time and are one of the first in the car park. An army of Hi Viz clad Stewards guide by torchlight ensuring we do not deviate from the road. Reminiscent of the brilliant 'An American Werewolf in London' film.'Keep off the Moors' moment. Safely parked up there is time to admire the lights in the trees. The statue of 'Johnny Dankworth' guides us into The Stables. There always seems to be a shortage of chairs no matter how early you arrive? They seem to cater for about a dozen people to sit in the reception/ bar area. We can't seem to get a drink at the moment either. Some last minute 'Health and Safety' Training is taking place. It's all these sort of the things that makes this venue so quintessentially twee. They seem to have dispersed with selling the raffle tickets to win a CD voucher now though.These are not criticisms at all, merely observations and I wouldn't like to see it change. 

We take our seats which are close to the stage to the right hand side. Last year we were right at the back in front of the sound guys. There isn't such a thing as a bad seat here though, and the sound is always excellent.I take the opportunity to get a photo of the stage while I can. The venue is notorious for clamping down on such things. Something I always find strange unless the band specifically request it. The first sets starts off with 'In for the Bite', followed by 'Into the Stars' from the superb 'White Rainbow' album. A brave soul at the end of the row is only taking a picture...My heart quickens knowing what is in store. It is all dealt with very discretely at the end of the song. Politely told to pit it away and not to get it out again. A bit like the BBC to Gregg Wallace recently.  Highlight for me from the first set would probably be 'Passengers' followed by 'The Night Sky' which took us to the interval. A wonderful atmosphere too , lots of expectations and the odd surprise served up for good measure.

Come to think of it 'Western Skies' was rather special too. Some lovely Flute work from Angela Gordon. Olivia (Sparnen-Josh)is sounding great too. I remember last year she was struggling through with a heavy cold. The second set kicks off with the slightly dark 'Tomorrow Dies' from the 'Sight of Day' album.From the same album we also have 'Changing Lives' which is another big favourite with Chris Johnson on vocals. It virtually goes without saying just how talented each individual band member is. Everyone plays their part to perfection and the result is something quite astounding. I still think they very much go underground and deserve a much bigger profile. That said it is great to be able to see them up close in venues as intimate as The Stables.It was also my wife's Birthday!Her favourite song 'Heart Body and Soul' also gets an airing much to her delight. Each song is accompanied perfectly by a backdrop of mountains, snow scenes and spectacular skies.It all adds to the drama of the content. The second set ends with the two epic pillars of 'White Rainbow' and 'Heroes Never Die'. 

We weren't sure if it was bit early to go with the Christmas stuff?  Quips Brian.It's only December the 1st! Hats at the ready and they are off with the Greg Lake classic 'I Believe in Father Christmas'. It feels like Christmas 2024 has officially been launched. Next up is a Spaceman came Travelling with Chris Johnson leading on vocals . Sounding very much like Chris De Burgh too and no mistake. The final seasonal offering is 'Fairytale of New York'( The Pogues ). By  now everyone , with a little encouragement is up on their feet getting into the party mood. Seeing Mostly Autumn at The Stables now very much feels like a Christmas tradition for us already. A fantastic night once  again and looking forward to the same time next year! Big thanks to John Gillespie and Kieran Chapman for use of additional photos. Also the Mostly Autumn Facebook page for the last one.

 

 

Dunchurch & Draycote Water Walk

Another week and another Reservoir, you can't have enough in my opinion. It has been a very interesting drive over too in the wake of 'Storm Bert'. Driving from Northampton to meet up with a friend at Cold Higham was quite an adventure. Several of the roads had standing water , at times coming up over the wheel arch.Really looking forward to this walk around Draycote Water. I've only been here once and that was fishing off a boat. That didn't end well either as I ended up crashing on the rocks. Our starting point after safely parking up is the village of Dunchurch. About 2.5 miles south of Rugby. It gained notoriety in 1605 as being the place where the Gunpowder Plotters met at the Red Lion to plan their deadly deed.

A very cute Alpaca

It is only a short stroll from Dunchurch to get on the path around the reservoir. This will be the only 'grassy' part of the walk. A good thing really as it is saturated under foot. There is a field of Alpacas , at least that's what I think they are? Too small for Llamas I suspect ? One in particular would register very high on the cuteness register. Once on the edge of the water it is like being in a wind tunnel! It is as though 'Storm Bert' is back again. My friend very reassuringly tells me that we are doing the windy exposed part first. Draycote Water is a 240-hectare reservoir and country park that draws its water from River Leam which then supplies drinking water to Rugby and Coventry.

On the rocks there are a number of Wagtails enjoying the winter sunshine. In the water there are numerous Coots, lots of Tufted Ducks too. Our mission though today is to try and spot the rare 'Ferruginious Duck'' that has been reported as present on the alerts. I'm not totally sure that I would know one if I saw one in all honesty. My companion does have a more comprehensive bird guide than mine and does show the bird in question. A bird that winters in Mediterranean basin and the Black Sea, is a little off course. Very similar in shape to a Tufted Duck but Chestnut and a White eye. We will keep our eyes open.  

Just above us a Kestrel hovers, battling against the wind to hold position. Something of a losing battle too by the look of things. We make our way towards the 'Club House' of the 5 mile circuit. A few hardy bikers are out too on the purpose made tarmac track. It is walkers and Birders though mainly. A poster on the window shows the reservoir as being 83.5% full. This was however dated the 21st October 2024. I would think after the weekend rain it must be well on the way to 100% full.

Boats moored up by the Club House

Turning the corner we have two bits of good news. Firstly the wind has miraculously stopped trying to blow us into tomorrow. It is actually very pleasant now. Secondly a couple of 'proper' Birdwatchers stop to tell us they have spotted the 'Ferruginous Duck. Not only that there is another one further round in 'Rainbow Corner'. The first one is just past the inlay pipes about 30 yards away. We continue with a spring in our step. The only problem being there are all sorts of other bird-life around the pipes. After a couple of minutes of searching the water we found our bird.

We did also see the other Ferruginous Duck they told us about at 'Rainbow Corner'. The picture above is the best we could. It hardly does the beautiful creature justice though. We had also been told that there was a female ' Scaup' located close to the Bell Tower. On our way in that direction, a graceful 'Goosander' comes floating past. Sure enough the aforementioned 'Scaup' hasn't moved from where it was originally spotted. Scaup are diving ducks with a resemblance to Tufted Ducks. Females are brown, with characteristic white patches around the base of the bill. In flight, they show white patches along the length of the back edge of the wing. Only a handful breed in the UK every year, making them our rarest breeding duck. 

It has been a superb walk  today , difficult in the wind for sure. But some interesting sightings as we have made our way around the circuit. 

The reservoir was created in the 1960s and was opened in 1970, with a new pipe and pump installed in 2012. It has a capacity of up to 5 billion gallons (23 million m³). and a maximum depth of 70 feet (21 m). Being an 'artificial reservoir' it has no natural inlets, its water being obtained by pumping from the nearby River Leam and Stanford Reservoir. .

Pitsford Reservoir Nature Reserve Walk (Seasons End)

I'm back at one of my favourite places in the Count Pitsford Reservoir Nature Reserve. Or the quiet side as I like to call it. Back in November 2021 I had the idea of capturing the walk around the perimeter in every season. ( Did manage to get a winter scene in January 2023). That particular Autumn day was cloudy and overcast and not very Autumn like at all. Today however, is more like Autumn as I would imagine it to be. Although we are close to Winter there is still good colour on the trees and bushes. We have had some snow too this week which has mostly all gone. Jack Frost has been busy overnight creating a beautiful contrast in conditions. Where the sun has broken through the trees it is soft underfoot and bright reflections.Hopefully the picture on the left will illustrate exactly what I mean? It is a fantastic light for walking and taking a few photos. Probably the best part of being on this side of the reservoir is the abundance of wildlife. Largely undisturbed there is a far greater chance of seeing and getting closer to all sorts of creatures.Already I have seen numerous Herons. Red Kite, Buzzards, A woodpecker and a few Muntjac Deer. On the water there is the cry of the Wigeon amongst the many Cormorants. I will let the photographs largely tell the story of the walk today. 

A place to sit and reflect

Cormorants drying their wings in the Autumn sun

It has been an anti-clockwise walk around the circuit today. I normally walk clockwise. I think I enjoyed it better this way. It has been a really peaceful and enjoyable walk. The only other people I saw were volunteers for the Wildlife Trust. One of my favourite times of the year , along with the end of Winter into Spring. I think that will have to be my next blog from these parts for sure!