Back on the 'Market Harborough' Round but a little closer to home today. We are starting off in the Northamptonshire village of Arthingworth, and will be calling in to the village of Braybrooke too. I did a similar walk back in June 2021, a much warmer day than today I might add! If anyone is interested the link for that walk is below.
http://peterja-storytellersnight.blogspot.com/2021/06/arthingworth-great-oxendon-tunnel-and.html
We are walking in a clockwise direction towards the old railway line which is now the 'Brampton Valley Way'. This part runs parallel to the A508 MH Road. We pass a large barn full of very healthy looking cattle. A few young calves seem to have escaped and are enjoying a freedom frolic in the field. The strange looking device pictured below can only be described as a home-made cow wash. No wonder then that they all look so healthy.
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We have to pass through the Oxendon Tunnel, one of two tunnels on the old Northampton to Market Harborough railway line. This one is shorter than the Kelmarsh tunnel. There has been talk recently (again..) of the line re-opening. Not a good idea in my opinion and I can't ever see it happening. It would be remiss of me not to post up another photo. You can just see the light at the other end. Half way through is an Air Shaft which always makes for a good photo.
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It's a bit tricky without a torch, but not too bad. Some splashing about in puddles kept us on our toes, literally. I don't think that I've posted up a picture of the full Market Harborough Round before? So here it is (pictured left), all 71.05 miles. The fastest recorded time for completion is 15 hours, 14 minutes and 30 seconds.
Leaving the Brampton Valley way we take the footpath in the direction of Braybrooke. The fields are extremely muddy though and the walking boots are soon about an inch higher than when starting. This is what it must have been like being a Glam Rocker in the 70's! Well some at least..
Braybrooke is an interesting little village. All Saints Church has a superb Spire, built in the 14/15th century. There is also a Castle! Before you get too excited I should point out that is just an area of earthworks these days. Or, if you prefer any empty field with nothing to see here signs posted.Even at it's peak it was little more than a fortified Manor House, I guess a Castle sounds much grander.
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Who would have known that Northamptonshire had It's own River Jordan? Possibly not quite as impressive as the one that runs along the border between the Palestinian West Bank, Israel and South West Syria I grant you. But nevertheless impressive enough in it's own right. Perhaps people make pilgrimages here to be baptised in the holy waters too? The Braybrooke Bridge has crossed the River Jordan since 1400.built by Thomas Latimer, whose descendants – the Barons Braybrooke – lived in, you guessed it, the extensive castle nearby. Braybrooke indeed has hidden depths. Which you need of course if being baptised in what is no more a stream really than a river.
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Leaving behind the excitement of Braybrooke we climb a very muddy slope back towards Arthingworth. Someone has very kindly taken the trouble to dispose of a number of old tyres too. Don't get me started on that subject again. My blood pressure has only just returned to normal levels. The muddy climb is worth it though as some excellent views unfold.
I always enjoy seeing a 'Trig Point'. Or to give the correct name 'Triangulation Pillar'. This one at Arthingworth is 'TP0130' (147m) A fixed survey point that indicates that you are at the highest point of a mountain or hill. There are around 5,500 still standing in the UK. There is a site for 'Bagging' Trig Points on the internet. You can tick them off as you spot them.
Not the most spectacular of walks, but always something interesting to find. The total distance covered in this walk was 8.39 muddy miles!
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