Twywell Hills and Dales Walk

 

Finally I have made it over to Twywell and the Hills and Dales awaits. For some reason I have always thought it to be further away than it actually is. It is a perfect day too, just a T shirt and body warmer is all that is needed, on the top half at least. 

Parked up by 'The Old Friar Pub' there is a very handy sign to point me in the right direction. The name "Twywell" derives from two Old English words meaning two springs or streams. It is just a short walk down a lane, past the allotments and a paddock then a meadow. The entrance then becomes quite clear up some steps and into the trees. 

The site takes its name from the abandoned quarry workings which have left a mosaic of undulating limestone quarries, grassland scrub and woodland which is now a haven for wildlife.  The Nature Reserve covers an area of 54.6 ha (135 acres).

 

 

 

There are various paths going off in all directions. It is not very helpful that the signpost is broken in half and laying on the ground. Undeterred I walked up the slight incline and found myself on the boundary edge. Iron ore was quarried in the area at various times between the 1880s and 1974.

In 1994 the land was purchased by East Northamptonshire Council from British Steel for wildlife conservation and to offer quiet recreational opportunities to local people and other visitors. It is managed by a partnership of the Wildlife Trust, Rockingham Forest Trust and the Woodland Trust.

The remnants from the days of quarrying are very obvious across the site today. I have also heard that the area is used for grazing of livestock. In particular the Highland Cattle which you would think would be easy to spot. In places it is very muddy though and care is needed.  

The noise from the nearby A14 is growing louder. As the path turns right the busy road is just the other side of the fence. The path runs parallel for a while before passing 'Gullet Pond'. A short climb opens up to a much wider area of fields in an area known as 'Whitestones'. Originating from the former limestone quarry. I ask a 'dog walker' where the cattle might be? He points me in the direction of a ridge the other side . It isn't long before I have a few sightings!

 

The Highland Cattle are quite a sight! They seemed quite unperturbed and take little notice of me. They are happy to keep on grazing, and can eat up to 70kg of grass daily.

They have become quite a tourist attraction and like to cool off in the nearby pond I'm told. 

 

After all the excitement of the Cattle i make my way back towards the visitors car park. I noticed a finger post sign there earlier pointing towards Cranford St John. Looking at the map I can do a circular walk back to Twywell which is always my preferred option.

There is a lovely stretch of path  through a field divided by a hedgerow, going downhill towards a stream and small lake. It is a beautiful scene with the blue skies,sunshine and birdsong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 At the end of the path we have have footbridges old and new. I have gone with a photo of the newer version. My attention is drawn to a large swarm of Bees circling above. They seem to have made a nest in an old Woodpecker hole. I suspect they are 'Tree Bumblebees'. I'm not getting too close though especially with my bare arms...  
It is a lovely secluded area and nobody else is about. I follow the stream past a farm where a mother cow is very protective of her calf. I reach the road that on the left goes to Cranford St John. I need to go uphill the other way though. It is a bit of an uphill treck until I spot the footpath sign. 

It's a bit of a barren field, but at least there is no mud and fairly dry and the direction across is clear. At the end of the field is a beautiful Old Oak tree.The path continues through the gap in the hedge. It is just a case then of following the various paths back to the road to Twywell.   

I spotted another footpath sign over a style on the bend in the road. I can't resist giving it ago and walk through the field.Although it took me down some spectacular steps across a stream it was the wrong direction. I backtracked and found the path that took me down a track past a small farm and emerged near the pub. It was here that I met 'Reginald' a local resident. He seemed convinced that I was lost, despite me pointing out that my car was parked over the road. 80 years old and looking as 'fit as a fiddle'. Originally from Birmingham 'Reginald' was telling me he has lived in the village since he was 19 years, old and married the girl who lived over the road.  What a character ! It has been a cracking walk with lots of interest and cracking scenery. In total a little over 6 miles covered.   

Ferry Meadows Nene Way Walk

 

Back on the Nene Way or (Neen) as they tend to say over in these parts near Peterborough. It is a bright day but showers are not ruled out. I'm well kitted out though for all eventualities.

We are starting out from close to Ferry Meadows Country Park. A large part of Nene Park which stretches for six miles (10 km) along the banks of the River Nene.

We approach by the railway line near to Overton Station, just a few minutes away from the Country Park. We are just in time to see 'Helga' a Swedish 1212Y7 Railcar making It's way toward the station. 

 

Built for Swedish State Railways in 1958, 1212 was moved to the UK and into preservation in 1984 at the Nene Valley Railway.

1212 was made operational and operated some off peak services until 1989 when the owner passed away.It was moved to Fleggburgh Bygone Village in Great Yarmouth where it was put on static display alongside a Swedish steam locomotive until the village shut down in 2004. 1212 was moved to Tweddle Animal Farm in Hartlepool where it was used as an undercover picnic area, again in static use.

January 2011 saw the start of a two year transformation for 1212. It was purchased by an individual who immediately set about returning the vehicle to fully operational condition. During 2012 the bodywork (particularly around the cabs) was completely stripped away and replaced. It was discovered that the framework of the vehicle was mainly in excellent condition, with only the panels to replace.

October 2012 saw 1212's debut in traffic, the end of a rapid restoration. The vehicle was returned to service in original orange/yellow colours. The line is 7+1⁄2 miles (12.1 km) in length. There are stations at each terminus, and three stops en route: Orton Mere, Ferry Meadows and Wansford. 

It didn't take long to realise that once again I'd 'over-layered' once again. If you count the fleece inner of the 'big coat' there were 5, including a long sleeve thermal base layer. I certainly wasn't going to be cold today! 

When your walking partner dumps his rucksack on you, then disappears into the thick undergrowth armed with a toilet roll it is time to move on. Even more disconcerting is when he then emerges some time later and asks you to close your eyes and hold your hands out... Call me suspicious if you will, but I was having none of it. Particularly as whatever was concealed in the toilet roll filled both his hands. While he was attending to lets just say a 'call of nature' he happened upon a dead mole. Where it came from is open to further conjecture.....The said mole looked very healthy actually, well apart from being deceased of course. I put it up on a fence post to take a better picture. 

We are getting closer to Peterborough centre, you can tell this by the amount of rubbish that has been dumped by the river. We come across a sight you don't see every day, an RTV31 Tracked Hovercraft. A prototype hover train which was tested in the Cambridgeshire Fens. It has been residing at 'Railworld Wildlife Haven' since 1996. A former coal storage yard which once served Peterborough Powerstation. Tracked Hovercraft was developed in the 60's combining two British inventions; the hovercraft and linear induction motor. The aim being to produce a train system that would provide a 250 mph inter city service. It was scrapped in 1973 due to escalating costs.

The walk today is starting to have a slightly surreal feel about it. We have reached our furthest point and cross the bridge to come back again on the other side. We are now on the Nene Way, total length 110 miles, ending at Sutton Bridge Lincolnshire. Once again litter is a big problem but clears as we move further away from the built up area. A pair of Swans are busy building  a nest out of the reeds. Almost oblivious to our presence. They seem to know what they are doing even if progress is slow.

Isn't it always the way? Just as things are going well there is a problem. First of all it has started to rain. Sweeping in, the sort that makes you wet unlike the other sort that keeps you dry. We need to cross the bridge, but the bridge is closed. Judging by all the branches blocking the path they don't want you to cross it either. There is a detour, along one it is too, far too long. Surveying the scene from behind the branches there doesn't seem to be a problem. The decision is made 'were going over the top'. After an ungainly ascent followed by an equally unimpressive descent the problem becomes more obvious. The bridge has a big hole in it to put it bluntly. Most of the path is rotten and near to collapse.  Of course we don't let a silly little thing like that de-rail us for long and make light work of avoiding the potential death trap. Safely over the other side we continue onwards as the rain falls.

In the distance a strange unidentified object lurks on the riverbank. From a distance it looks like some sort of spaceship or giant piece of patio furniture. Closer inspection reveals it to be a ship on the banks of the Nene. Commissioned from the Sculptor Sokari Douglas Camp, as part of the final Festival of Sculpture in 1989. It marked the end of the Development Corporation in Peterborough.'Festival Boat' takes as its source the festival boats used ceremonially in the artist's native Nigeria.

 

We have now reached Orton Mere lock. It's a nice stretch of the Nene with the boats moored by the cabins.

Milton Ferry Bridge is very impressive. Built over 300 years old and is both a Grade II listed structure and a Scheduled Monument. It was built from local Barnack limestone by the Fitzwilliam family to replace a ferry service which operated on the River Nene and helps tell the story of how Ferry Meadows got its name.This area is quite well known for 'wild swimming' I understand. The closest I will get was when I crossed that rickety old bridge a while back. 

Ferry Meadows was officially opened to visitors on July 1st 1978, by broadcaster and environmental campaigner David Bellamy.  It has been another really enjoyable walk with plenty to see and discover.

I cant resist throwing in one more picture of our old friend the RTV 31in it's final resting place. It could do with a was and brush up and a lick of paint but I still think it is a great sight.

 

Before I forget to mention it the walk today came in at a pleasant 9.22 miles.  

Little Harrowden and Hardwick Walk

Nice to be able to get a midweek walk in, the joys of being self employed,  and I intend to make the most of it.  It's a bit fresh but sunny interludes are promised so I've gone 'mid range' with the gear, but still the obligatory four layers. It is early March after all. 

The starting point is the village of Little Harrowden. I did a walk from here in November 2020 that took in; Orlingbury,Pytchley and Isham. The walk today will be going in a different direction towards Hardwick. The village is in one of the longest and narrowest parishes in Northamptonshire and is built around the Church of St Mary the Virgin, which dates back to circa 1190.

 

This walk will be very similar to the one in Northamptonshire Walks (141). I say similar as I never seem to follow their routes very accurately. Not a bad thing really, as I like to stray and follow points of interest (to me at least). It is a bit annoying as the walk is right on the border of Ordnance Survey Map (141) and goes into OS Map(152). I'm going to rely on instinct today and have left both at home.

We start off down Chapel Lane, through the narrow hedge lined walkway and into open fields.   On reaching the Wellingborough Road we take the Bridleway and can see Wellingborough in the distance. Probably not for too much longer though. There is a massive housing development in progress. Early stages but already fenced off and excavations have scarred the landscape.  

It's a sad scene really, the need for more houses at the expense of the environment. Reminded me of the awful HS2 destruction I saw last year at South Cubbington Woods in Warwickshire.

It is always a balancing act of course but it can't go on forever. I wonder what the Skylarks make of it? They are in great voice today, hovering overhead with occasional drop to the ground. As ground nesting birds they are going to struggle more than most.In the UK, Eurasian skylark numbers have declined over the last 30 years.  There are now only 10% of the numbers that were present 30 years ago. Hopefully they will move on and find a bit of green space that lies undisturbed.  

The collective noun for a group of Skylarks is an "exaltation". There's something you probably didn't know.

The entrance to a small wooded area provides the opportunity for a nice picture. Or at least it did after I removed a pair of pink mens Boxer Shorts and a couple of 'doggy bags' from the branches. It does make you wonder sometimes?

Sadly the lane is cluttered with various other items of rubbish. Particularly  beer cans to the rear of Wellingborough Old Grammarians sports field.  Back on the road we walk towards 'Moonshine Gap'. A right turn and we are back in the fields again heading towards Hardwick. I'm pretty sure we didn't take the recommended route, unless it involved taking a run up and jumping across a fast flowing stream? Nevertheless one way or another we made it to Hardwick! 

 I notice a fence post badge I haven't seen before 'VIA BEATA'. A bit of research tells me it means 'a way of blessing'. It is a pilgrimage path from Lowestoft in the East, to St Davids on the west coast of Wales.   

 

The Old School House is next to St Leonard's Church. There are some interesting gravestones in the Churchyard. I always like having a look round for people of interest or Commonwealth War Graves. Near the entrance is Emily Alderson  was the last schoolmistress before they closed the school.

There is also  'Thomas William 'Pete' Pepper' grave. Of the Skittle making family. The skittle making company who go back over a 100 years and are still there in the village.

 

A black cross marks the grave of Charlotte Powell, who lived to be a 100 (1892- 1992). Moving in we leave the village passing Hardwick House which dates back to 1867. I know this because it is built into the gable brickwork . I would have taken a photo but it was obscured by a builders 'Portaloo'. It would have taken something away from the ambience I'm sure.  

We take the footpath across several fields that are hopefully going to take us back to Little Harrowden. Rather worryingly we seem on course to go to the Church at Orlingbury. Thankfully after crossing a footbridge ( I do like a footbridge very much) the path veers to the right. This seems more like it. It is very quiet and peaceful as we follow the river toward the village. We actually follow a bit too far and can't get out the other end....We back track slightly and eventually get out of the field and back on Main st, where we started out. 

It has been a nice little walk actually. The total distance was a shade over 6 miles of fairly easy walking. 

The blues skies and sunshine are perhaps an indication that Spring has arrived?