Oxford Canal Walk - Somerton, North Aston & Clifton

Something a little different today. Our walk starts (and ends) in the Cherwell Valley, Somerton, Oxfordshire is surrounded by beautiful countryside including farm land, water meadows running along the Cherwell River and Oxford Canal.The canal itself is a wonder of 18th-century engineering, originally constructed to transport coal from the Midlands to Oxford. We are walking in a clockwise direction, It is another glorious day so keeping hydrated is key today. 

It's fairly easy and flat walking as you might expect by the canalside. Lots of Butterflies and Dragonflies too, which is good to see. We are walking in the direction of North Aston.

North Aston, on the western slopes of the Cherwell Valley is midway between Oxford and Banbury. The village is on a ridge about 460 feet (140 m) above sea level. It is beautifully maintained with a picturesque lake as the path winds towards the country estate of North Aston Hall. The gardens, farmland and woodland total about 194 acres in total. It is a stunning building in 2018 a guide price of £28 million was set when it went up for sale. A bit of research shows that the Jacobean mansion was on the market for a mere 2.5 million. That would represent a tidy profit in my book.

Parish Church St Mary the Virgin

Right next to the Hall is the Church of St Mary the Virgin (1151).The Grade II listed building is mostly decorated Gothic, Around 1485 the lord of the manor, John Anne, took stone from other buildings owned by the Priory to create the striking tower. Since the church stands so close to the nearby Hall, the only way to make the tower fit the site was to insert it partially into the nave.I particularly like the 15th century alabaster monument to a Knight and his Lady. Reported to be   'John and Alicia Anne'.    

Lovely views

We are now on the Deddington circular walk heading towards Clifton. Where we stop for a refreshing non-alcoholic drink. In the distance there are not one but two Viaducts looming large. As we drop down to the Oxford Canal a rural scene is playing out. The elderly Farmer is giving the benefit of his experience to his son (or even Grandson) as they repair an aged Hay Wagon that has seen better days. We head towards Somerton and it is Canal all the way. I perhaps should gave mentioned earlier that the Oxford Canal is some 78 miles long. From the heart of Oxford to Hawkesbury village close to Coventry.  All is very quiet, not many people out walking. Maybe the heat has put them off? The sight of a 'Swing Bridge'  is not easy to resist. Actually it isn't a Swing Bridge I now find out. The Chisnell Lift Bridge uses a counterbalance weight system to pivot up. It allows boats to pass. We managed to get the bridge fully extended! Unfortunately getting it back down was something of a problem.Not least as I was stuck on the other side of the water.....

The Chisnell Lift Bridge

There was nothing for it but to use my own weight to try and lower the bridge. I had some success and managed to make enough progress to be able to jump the last four or five feet. All quite hair raising at least I avoided having to swim back. Which really was a strong possibility at one stage. Safely back on the right side the walk continues with some relief. 

 

Calmness restored, I start to enjoy the beauty of being canalside once again. The giant leafed Gunnera are prominent along the banks. A bit like Rhubarb on steroids for those who don't know it. Lock 34 on the Oxford canal is the Somerton Deep Lock and is an impressive 12-foot deep. As a single-width lock, it feels deep and narrow when descending. It’s not the deepest lock in the UK canal system, with Tuel Lane Lock on the Rochelle Canal at 19 feet and 8 inches foot deep, closely followed by the Bath Deep Lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal. 

This Grade II listed, 19th-century home is famous for being off-grid and having no car access, reachable only on foot via the towpath or by boat.

We are on the last part of the walk now and the heat hasn't relented. if anything it seems to have got hotter. The bridge at Somerton comes into sight. I hadn't noticed the WW2 Pill Box on the northern side of the road previously. Now sitting idly in the field it would once have served to protect the bridge and the road. The total length of the walk has been 7.5 miles.

WW2 Pill box

Kettering Church Peregrine Falcons.

Leaving Fermyn Woods behind we stop off at Kettering and the Church of St Peter and St Paul. The Grade I listed building with its 179 feet (55 metres) is a perfected site for the resident Peregrine Falcons. During the war, fighter pilots would look out for the towering spire, higher than anything around, to navigate to the local airbase at Grafton Underwood. Four Peregrine chicks have successfully hatched and are all doing well. It has taken around ten weeks from the eggs being laid to the fledging stage. 

At the end of May the four chicks were successfully ringed, weighed and checked by the Hawk and Owl Trust.

The sex of the chicks was determined by their weight:

 

• MC Weighed 770g (Female)

• MD Weighed 900g (Female)

• MK Weighed 880g (Female)

• ML Weighed 650g (Male)

 All the photos of the Peregrines were taken by Martin Swannell. 

Female Peregrine

They are quite a prolific pair, this is their fourth year of breeding. So far they have raised a grand total of sixteen chicks in that time. The female Peregrine is much larger than the male, almost a third bigger. They also have heavier barring, or markings, the males tend to have whiter breasts. The huge talons or claws are very distinct. As we arrive the female has made a kill. A hapless local Pigeon is being served up. A staple on the lunchtime menu judging by the bones and feathers surrounding the church. Its a complete frenzy as feathers are torn from the carcass and float down like snow. A peregrine falcon can dive up to 200 miles per hour to capture prey in flight, striking in mid-air with its outstretched talons. They will also take other types of birds and sometimes bats, mice, and insects.   

It's a perfect situation really for the Peregrines, and a reason why they are so highly successful in urban surroundings.With such a high vantage point they can take advantage of prey and remain safe. A lot of Peregrine web cams have been set up for the public to monitor their progress. The photo on the left shows the approving mother watching avidly as one of her young makes a slightly ungainly take off. It has been a great experience to watch these masters of the sky at such close quarters.  
 

Fermyn Woods Butterfly Walk

Another trip over towards the Rockingham Forest area of the County We are close to Fermyn Woods again this time in Harry's Park Wood, just off the Brigstock bypass and along Old Dry Lane (North). There is some logging work going on which isn't great news. The slightest disturbance can have an effect on Butterfly appearances. Today we are looking for the elusive 'Purple Emperor'. One of Northamptonshire’s most magnificent butterflies, and each year they draw a lot of visitors to the area. I am in the company of Martin Swannell, a friend and also an expert in all things Butterfly and Bird life. He has been a founder member of many bird and wildlife Groups in Northamptonshire. He has brought his camera and telescopic lens along today. All the good photos on this post will will have been taken by Martin. You will see his name on his photos if you look closely at the bottom. The beautiful 'Speckled Wood' pictured left is one of mine.

 

Unfortunately the temperature has dropped a little since the recent heatwave.  There is cloud cover too which won't help our search. The males  tend to emerge slightly before the females and can spend lengthy periods of time on the ground extracting minerals from the woodland tracks. Once the females emerge their attention turns to mating and they spend a lot more time flying around the canopies. There are though lots of other Butterflies to be seen including Meadow Browns, Skippers, Gatekeepers and Ringlets. We take some side paths through the grass which is lovely but unlikely to reveal any Emperors. There are many Emperor Dragonflies though which is the nearest we shall get today sadly. 

Holly Blue

Gatekeeper (left) and Ringlet

We traced our way back along the original path where even the well trodden horse manure had not tempted the Emperors down. There is a very nice Whitethroat balancing on a grass. We moved on to the visitor Centre at Fermyn Woods over the bridge near to Brigstock. We made our way through the old quarry. It would have been a stronghold a couple of months ago for Hairstreaks. We did see a couple of Siverwash Fritillaries  though which were very impressive. They didn't settle though and therefore no photos.A most relaxing morning was spent again at Fermyn.

Moulton Church Mens Group Walk - Wakerley Woods, Blatherwycke and Bulwick.

 

Men of Moulton Church Walking Group

After a few late withdrawals thirteen willing and able Brothers gathered for the Moulton Church annual walk. Leaving the church we made our way up the A43 to New Lodge Farm for a hearty breakfast to set us op for the treck ahead. A fine breakfast it was too, just what the Doctor ordered. Thankfully the anticipated 'heatwave' isn't due to arrive until after the weekend. Records for June temperatures are expected to be broken. Today it is a little overcast and humidity isn't too bad. Excellent walking conditions really. Leaving New Lodge Farm we turn right, heading in the direction of Laxton.   

Looking back to Laxton

We are seven miles east of Corby in Northamptonshire. Over to our left behind the trees lies The church, dedicated to All Saints, largely rebuilt in 1867 but retaining a late 13th-century tower. Laxton looks a nice place to live , the village Green has a beautiful Copper Beech Tree. We are just passing through though today as we head towards the woods. We do pass the Grade II listed Laxton Hall which seems to bee holding a Fete or something similar.  We pick up one of the trails running through 'Wood Hollow' as we head towards Wakerley Great Wood. It is part of what is still known as Rockingham Forest. Some 593 acres of ancient woodland. It is actually one of the oldest forests in England. We wind our way through the Larch Trees stopping briefly to take on much needed fluids. It is fairly easy walking and very dry underfoot. There are a few Mountain Bikers too, they are polite and give us room to pass. I had heard that the bikes had taken over but that certainly wasn't the case today. We cross over the A43 for a comfort break at Top Lodge Fineshade Wood.

We pass close to the site of Fineshade Abbey. First a Norman Castle, then an Augustinian Priory the building was demolished in 1956. A beautiful house lies across the valley, and some other building work is taking place. We find a shady spot and Rev Nick Alexander gives a reading from Psalm 121. The Psalm starts "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help”.It is also possible that it was sung by Pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. It has also been called a 'Soldiers Song' and a 'travellers hymn'. It feels very appropriate for our walk today. In the background several Highland Cattle nod as if in approval.

Leaving the woods behind we walk downhill towards Blatherwycke Lake. It has been a great opportunity to chat with people that you previously haven't. Being outside in nature and talking is a fundamental of good mental health. The lake lies along the Willow Brook and is part of the broader Blatherwycke Estate. It was dug by hand in the mid-19th century, it is the largest man-made lake in the county.(58 acre body of water).

Blatherwycke Lake

 

A few of us are regretting wearing shorts... the thick long grass and fields of corn are playing havoc with the skin. Resisting the temptation to scratch is the hard part. A short road stretch and we are in the village. There is a beautiful pond literally buzzing with insect life. 

The lovely 'Holy Trinity' church dates back to the 12th century. It stands in the grounds of the now demolished Blatherwycke Hall. The village was immortalised in song by the Comedian  'John Shuttleworth' (Graham Fellows). Apparently noticing the name on a road sign, and then lamenting an opportunity missed to visit.  We are nearing the end of the walk now and thoughts are starting to turn to the big Rugby match this afternoon. Several potential walkers have made a pilgrimage of their own to Twickenham. The home of English Rugby where Northampton Saints will be looking to defeat Exeter Chiefs and secure the Premiership crown. .

Walk completed and shade is sought back at New Lodge Farm .It has been a really enjoyable walk with plenty of interest. Everyone has made it back safely , if a little be itchy and bitten. Nothing that won't soon heal at least. 

According to my Strava App the walk in total was a fraction over 9 miles.  Well done all !