Today though we are starting out in the village of Lubenham, Leics. A cold and frosty morning it is too. We head out in a southerly direction into open countryside. It is difficult walking as the ground is rock solid from the overnight frost.
The landscape is painted white, where 'Jack Frost' has been busy overnight.
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A slight detour from the map uncovers something rather interesting. Somewhere between Lubenham and Est Farndon is a huge stone. Looking like half of a giant Burger it is known locally as 'The Judith Stone'. It is rumoured to have been deposited by a glacier. a local landmark, the stone was used as a boundary marker.
The Judith in question was a niece of William the Conqueror, and was granted land hereabouts.
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It's a bit of a climb as we head towards the village of Marston Trussell. To our left there are great views of Market Harborough in the distance. A little further on and we are officially on the 'MH Round'. Marston Trussell has sat by the start of the Welland River on the Northamptonshire / Leicestershire border for well over 1000 years. was in flood at the time of the Battle of Naseby in 1645 which led to a massacre of retreating Royalists who were trapped between the river and the church; this area is known locally as Slaughterford field. We are lucky to spot a Woodcock, several Snipe and Lapwings as we cross towards the Church.
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| St Nicholas Church |
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| Pudding Bag End |
There is folklore that King Charles seems to have hidden up an Oak tree whilst retreating defeated. Hence the common pub name 'The Royal oak'.
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| Chieftan Tank |
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| Hawker Sea Hawk |
The path takes us through a farm, which seems to specialise in tanks and old aircraft. The plane pictured over my right shoulder is a Jet Provost Trainer. It would have seen service with the RAF between 1955-1993. There is also a 'Hawker Sea Hawk' which would have first flown in 1947. Designed by Sidney Camm, who also designed the Hurricane of Battle of Britain fame. Slightly further on we pick up the Grand Union Canal path heading towards Foxton Locks.The canal is frozen over, the narrow towpath is particularly tricky, this could all end badly...
Foxton Locks is a Grade II listed site, and home to the longest, steepest staircase flight of locks in Britain. Staircase locks are used where a canal needs to climb a steep hill, and consist of a group of locks where each lock opens directly into the next. Building work on the locks started in 1810 and took four years.
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We stop briefly at the Pub at Foxton Locks. A very friendly Robin pays us a visit in the hope of a snack.
Leaving the canal we head back towards Lubenham via Foxton Village. We are in the shadow of the High Security Gartree Prison. We could just follow the road back to Lubenham, that would be a bit dull though. We would not have met the very friendly sheep pictured left either. I'm not sure what breed it was? But it was large, with thick wiry wool. We were to pass several more sheep and a Goat. We are starting to lose the light as we approach Lubenham via the steep 'Mill Hill'. On the hill there is a a beacon which was made for HM the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. It has has been lit on special royal occasions, such as the jubilee and the Queen's 90th birthday.
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| Mill Hill Beacon |
We are parked up close to All Saints' Church, the medieval church at the centre of the village. There is a flashing Christmas Tree in the Churchyard. It all looks very picturesque as the walk comes to it's end.
A good start to the Market Harborough Round I should say! In total we have covered a distance of 10.82 miles.
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