Salcey Forest and Hanslope Walk - Swans Way (1)

Storm clouds over Hanslope

The plan was to start from the car park at  Salcey Forest. However they wanted an extortionate £6 per car which was never going to happen. We had to take two cars of course because of the current government restrictions. We moved off to park on the roadside in Hanslope where it was totally free.
It was nice to get out in some cooler air after the mini heatwave during the week.
As we drove here the heavens opened and the wind got up , we wold do well to get through the 8.6 mile route without seeing anymore though.

Hanslope lies in the borough of Milton Keynes, about 8 miles north of MK. Hanslope was a centre of Buckinghamshire lace-making in the 19th century.

The walk takes in part of  'The Midshires Way' (from Chiltern Hills to Greater Manchester, 230 miles in length).  'The Swans Way 'is pretty much the Buckinghamshire part of the 'Midshires Way'.

Salcey Forest is a is a remnant of the medieval royal hunting forest. It is the largest ancient woodland in the county.

I noticed looking on the internet that there were lots of people complaining about the facilities on offer. Dog walkers had nowhere to dispose of their waste bags. The overhead walkway is always closed for health and safety reasons. The designated trails are way too short or long with nothing in between ! It doesn't seem as though you get much for your £6.

Personally I prefer somewhere a little less public, which isn't too difficult to find thankfully.  

St James the Great Parish Church

As the Church of St James the Great comes into the wind gets up again and it starts lashing it down again. There is no hiding place in the open fields and we get a good drenching. The spire can be seen for long distances across the low-lying countryside. church spire is a prominent feature of the village and was originally built early in the 15th century and was 200 feet (61 m) high.

Another Moulton Walk

Bunkers Hill Farm in the distance

Another hot and humid day and a familiar walk but with a slight difference. So many of the post recently have been of blue skies and sun-baked fields. At least so far this month we have seen some much needed rain. According to Met Office statistics, May 2020 was the sunniest calendar month on record, with 266 hours of sunshine. It beat June 1957, when there was 265 hours of sun.

I can't resist popping in to see my old friend 'The Grotto'.
Looking  splendid as always. Also it's a lot cooler in the shade of the spinney , much welcomed relief.
I never seem to tire of visiting this wonderful place.

Looking across the fields I can see the last remaining folly of my recent quest 'Bunkers Hill Farm'. I have a cunning plan to change the route that if my planning works out will take me right past.

The fields are looking great though with the wild flowers in abundance. Lots of daisies, poppies, hogweed, elder, pignut, and the purples of common mallow and meadow cranes- bill among many others.

Common Mallow

 

 

 

 

 

From a distance Bunkers Hill Farm looks as though it has a large Church window. It is only when you get close that you see it is actually covered over. The building itself is castellated to the south side. It was built in 1776 to commemorate the British victory at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Civil War. The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, 1775, during the siege of Boston. The battle is named after Bunker Hill in Charlestown, Massachusettes  which was peripherally involved in the battle.

Bunkers Hill Farm

 Thankfully the plan worked out and the footpath winds right through the farm. A lady was in the garden so only right to ask for permission to take a photo or two. She was only too happy and her dog seem quite excited to have a visitor as well!   
On the other side of the farm there were a number of Alpacas in the field. I saw a large van with a 'Lusi Alpacas' logo emblazoned on it. A little research showed that 'Lusi Alpacas' was started by Lulu Oliver and Simon Phipps in 2007 with just three alpacas. The business has obviously grown with selective breeding over the years. They look like they have had a haircut recently too, unlike a lot of the country at the moment. 

Alpacas

 


The path along the edge of the field leads to the 'top' of Spectacle Lane' near to the Agricultural College. From there the footpath continues through fields on the edge of the Pitsford road winding it's way back into the village. A lovely little wander out at just over 5 miles.

Easton Maudit & Yardley Hastings Circular Walk

Today's Route

A  Little uncertainty about the walk today....Weather forecast not great , heavy showers and sunshine forecast.
It's always good to get out the house though isn't it? Especially in these troubled times. A lot of the area around Yardley Chase is private property , some belonging to the MOD so best avoided.

Even at the start of the walk I was pretty well 'layered up'. Starting point was by this rather splendid Grade II thatched cottage dating back to 1810. The thatched roof overlaps the cottage and is supported by amazing rustic tree stumps.
I think it might be a 'Hobbit House' ?

We depart to the rear of the cottage going uphill through a gated field.

A flock of inquisitive sheep watch our every move. We are going in the direction of 'Horn Wood'.

Big Skies

Sheep 'weather watching'

It is actually quite warm despite a brief shower . The mac is back off along with the fleece as the sun puts in an appearance. Lovely open spaces and not a soul about as we make our way along the path towards 'Cold Oak Copse'. We actually go slightly wrong shortly after this point. As is often the case the footpaths are not always obvious. In this case it's more of a 'happy accident' as the path takes us through the churchyard of St Andrews Yardley Hastings.

St Andrews Church Yardley Hastings

Skies starting to darken

We make the turn back towards Easton Maudit and the skies are starting to look a bit ominous. Someone is getting a downpour not too far away.

Amazingly in the middle of nowhere somebody has managed to dump an armchair ! How they have got it here I have no idea...It is making a home for a few snails though who are enjoying a bit of comfort.

My walking companion , ever the optimist seems to think the storm is going to go around us. I'm not convinced though as we start to quicken the pace.

We haven't gone too much further when the first rumbles of thunder start up.

I've just about got the mac on again as the first drops start to fall. The lightning is starting too. I'm really not sure if being directly underneath electricity pylons is a good or bad thing ??  I'm opting for bad and break out into a jog as the rain turns to hail and it's flipping hammering it down.

We have to find some sort of shelter, and make do with cowering behind a hedge, at least it's something.
We are right in the eye of the storm now and there is no escape. Just got to ride it out and let it pass.   

  

A hint of blue sky

St Peter and St Paul's Church Easton Maudit

By the time we arrive at the Church in Easton Maudit the rain has lessened to a light drizzle.
There is even a hint of blue sky through a break in the clouds.

The churchyard is the burial site for the actor and Witt Derek Nimmo a lifelong resident of the village.
He always seemed to play vicar roles so I'm sure he feels perfectly at home here.

Despite the weather it's been a good walk , at just under 6 miles not one of our longer ones, but always interesting. 

A bedraggled walker amongst the puddle reflections

Alderton, Grafton Regis and Stoke Bruerne canal Circular Walk

Another sun baked day and another part of the county  to explore. I really wanted to try and see Stoke Park Pavilions near to Stoke Bruerne but it was going to be tricky. The public footpaths didn't run very close and unless there were views thorough the buildings and trees it would be near impossible. What a lovely village Alderton is ! Beautiful cottages and green fields surrounding and total quiet, It's like a ghost town or rather a village. I can't ever recall coming here before? There is a surprise immediately, before we even get on the footpath in the 'form' of the Mount. The disappointment then comes after climbing the rickety old staircase to find an empty space....#The Mount is an ancient monument and found fame after Tony Robinson (Baldrick from Blackadder) took his 'Time Team there in 2000 to excavate the area.

'The Mount '

 Iron Age, Roman and Saxon artefacts have all been found on the site which is now know to have been the site for a two storey castle. It would have been a timber ringwork castle, occupied between the 12th and 14th centuries.

Nowadays there is not much to be seen at the site , and it is down to the imagination to conjure up images of it's former grandeur. It is still a nice place to visit though with it's mature tress and grass area. 

 We leave the village , taking the footpath that leads across open fields past Grafton Lodge .
Lots of ridges and furrows in the field, indications that there were previous buildings on the land. Perhaps an old manor house and outbuildings ?

 

Church of St Margaret Alderton

We cross the A508 and head into the village of Grafton Regis. We pass through the pretty churchyard that dates back to the early 13th century. We follow the quiet road down towards the Grand Union Canal.

Bridge 58

It's always an enjoyable wander along the canal towpath , especially when the sun is shining. Lots of insect action , in particular the bright blue 'Banded Demoiselle' are everywhere.  There is even a Bees nest in an old rabbit hole in the ground which I am careful not to disturb. The stone arch bridge (no.58) always makes for a good photo. Built between 1793-1880 is Grade II listed.

The normally vibrant jewell in the crown of the Canal and River Trust is subdued today. The upturned tables at the Navigation Inn are a sign of the times. That place should be heaving on a day like today.

Calm before the storm

On the water a battle of wills is taking place. In the Red corner we have from Canada ' The persistent Goose'. And in the Blue corner the local favourite 'Mr Mute Swan'. Lets get ready to rumble  ......
The Canadian Goose was obviously getting too close to Mrs Swan (Penn) and her 'bevy' of Cygnets. Resistance was futile and Mr Swan tried to take the Goose 'down town'. A great display of chest puffing and gesturing ensued. But the Goose was not cooked and kept coming back for more. The rule book went out the window when Mrs Swan got involved , leaving the cygnets unprotected. It suddenly became like a WWF wrestling contest as both swans pursued the hapless Goose down the canal. At one stage the poor old Goose flew out of the water taking refuge on the path. But not for long , soon back in the water and making his way back again. I suspect that it may have had a nest of it's own nearby and wasn't prepared to take no for an answer. The swans on the other hand were in protective mood and letting nothing near the precious youngsters.

Thatched roof in Stoke Bruerne

It's always a  lovely place to visit though just to watch the narrow boats negotiating the locks.

The village is home to one of the three museums owned and run by Canal & River Trust. The others are at Ellesmere Port and Gloucester Docks.

A hot walk back to Alderton

We don't go any further along the canal path , instead heading across fields back roughly towards Alderton.

Sadly as thought there was no way of getting close to the Pavilions. The paths in that direction were all marked as private property and clearly visitors were unwelcome.


It's a great shame as The pavilions represent some of the earliest Palladian structures built in England and, despite some re-modelling in the 18th century are of great historic and architectural significance.

Apparently there is some limited permitted public access to the buildings during afternoons in August for a small fee.So that does seem to be the best option.

Reflections

Larsson traps, the cruel side of farming