Peterborough River Nene Walk and Flag Fen visit

A year on we and we are walking the follow up to the 'Ferry Meadows' walk (16'3'22). We managed to get safely parked up in a lay-by close to the River Nene. We cross the impressive looking 'Shanks Millennium Bridge' near Fletton Quays. A box girder bicycle and pedestrian bridge, that was completed in 2000. The way it banks round reminds me of the 'Wall of Death' motorcycle Riders from fairgrounds of old. 

We are walking towards Peterborough along well laid out cycle paths. It is a perfect day for walking, blue skies and sunshine.   

The River Nene is about 105 miles long. The 10th longest river in the country. The river carries on through Whittlesey where it becomes the 'Nene Washes' in the Fens.Before finally entering 'The Wash' on the East coast where Norfolk meets Lincolnshire.

Some parts of the hedgerow are covered in thick clumps of cobwebs.These cobwebs however are not made by Spiders. Closer inspection reveals lots of caterpillars of the 'Ermine Moth' Quite a common sight between May and June. All part of a highly successful evolutionary strategy providing safety in numbers from predators. 

We are approaching the 'Embankment' area, about 5 minutes from the City centre. There has been a lot of recent development by the look of things. Plush new riverside apartments among one or two old buildings. 

The Peterborough Beer Festival is held down her. A good place to relax and unwind I should think. There are also mooring facilities for boats. 

Across the River we can see the spires of the Cathedral. We had called in earlier to St John's Church at Stanground. Built around 800 years ago it is a lovely building and reminiscent of the Church here in Moulton.

Strangely enough that wasn't the only coincidence. The Vicar was also in residence and I got chatting with him. Telling him about the walks we do etc etc.. I told him we were from Northamptonshire. It turned out that he actually taught at Moulton School for a number of years. The same time as my walking companion was there too. Never party able to remember each other sadly....

 We moved on into the centre of Peterborough, reaching the point we got to on our last walk here. The football ground is a short distance away on London Road.

It has not got quite warm as we make our way back on the other side of the river. Not many people about though, just the occasional cyclist. 

It is a very short car journey to Flag Fen where there are reconstructed Bronze Age and Iron Age Roundhouses. The Archaeology Park sits in the heart of a unique Bronze Age landscape that has revealed an original timber causeway. The platform is thought to have been made over 3,500 years ago. This  neolithic track-way has termed the 'Flag Fen Basin'

The photo (left) isn't the best. The causeway would have been the equivalent of a busy road in modern times.linking the island of Northey (Whittlesey) with Fengate (Peterborough) It was created by driving thousands of posts with sharp tips through the soft mud and into the firmer ground below. One section of the timbers is preserved and housed securely.The area is kept at a cool temperature, and prevented from drying out by misting with water. The whole structure would have covered an area of three and a half acres. The site itself was discovered in 1982 by the Archeologist Francis Pryor.

Our Bronze Age ancestors lived and worked in circular dwellings known as roundhouses. Usually made of wood or stone posts. They were filled in with twigs, clay and general muck. Known as 'Wattle and Daub'. They would also have a thatched roof.  There would also be a fire going in the centre of the building.  
Well worth a visit and just £6 entry which helps to keep things going. A shortish walk today at around 7 miles.

The Shakespeare's Avon Way - Evesham (18)

Back in Offenham for what promises to be an interesting Riverside Walk. However things did not get off to a good start.....After a lengthy car journey, lets just say there was an urgent need to 'pay a visit' as they say in polite circles. A leafy narrow lane which was also a Public Right of Way looked promising. All was going according to plan until a car appeared out of nowhere. A angry lady pulled up, wound down the car window and proceeded to berate me for my actions. 'This is someones garden' she shrieked. Well no it wasn't , it was a verge that backed on to a paddock with horses. 'You need to find a better place' she continued without letting up. It's a bit late for that I'm afraid I replied, hastily adjusting myself. All very much to the amusement of my walking companion, who she had driven straight past! I wonder what she thought the horses did when they felt the need to go?

Feeling suitably rebuked the walk continues towards Evesham. Over the Railway Bridge and through a housing area. One front garden is holding It's own Climate change protest. We cross the lovely 'Workman' Bridge into Evesham. Named after the mayor under whose auspices it was built in 1866.  

Evesham is situated on a horseshoe-shaped peninsula almost completely surrounded by water in a meander of the River Avon. The Town Centre is prone to flooding as you might expect. The 2007 floods were the worst recorded.

Its lovely walking riverside through the park. Lots going on on and off the water. We are on the ‘Round Evesham Walk too. A circular walk of about 5 miles and is way-marked with the distinctive ‘Round Evesham Walk’ discs. Very soon we will have to cross the River Avon Thankfully there is a Cable Ferry that will take us across without getting wet. (The Hampton Ferry). The ferry is manually operated by pulling on a cable that is suspended across the river.When the ferry is docked at either bank the cable is allowed to sink to the river bottom, so as not to interfere with navigation. However when in operation though things can work out slightly differently.

Our larger than life 'Ferryman' tells us that the the Ferry has been in operation for over a thousand years. Originally created for the Monks to get to their Vineyards on the steep slopes of Clark's Hill opposite. These days a payment of a pound coin is required to secure passage on the very short trip. 

Unfortunately it seems that he is a rather grumpy Ferryman too. Certainly no lover of the craft using the River. A two man canoe receives a high volume blast of 'stop your gas-bagging and get a move on' . Blooming Boat Club think they own the damn River. We've been her longer than them. Another canoe just manages to duck under the rope across the water. Do you ever catch anyone we inquire? His eyes light up as he replies 'Oh yes, several every day'. What happens then we ask? 'I just smile' he said in a deadpan manner....Chilling.

Things are more sedate on the other side of The River Avon. We move away from the River towards a place called 'Bengeworth'. There are fields upon fields over Orchards. This followed by acres of Glass houses and Nurseries as we move towards Aldington. We are now 3 miles East of Evesham. All part of what is famously known as 'The Vale of Evesham'. 

There is still the small matter of crossing a busy weir as we make our way back to Offenham. OK, well it probably sounded scarier than it actually was. We make our way back through even more nurseries to our starting point.In truth the second part of the walk has been a little mundane compared to the first half. Maybe I'm just a bit cranky because It's hot and my knee is hurting, and the boots are pinching my toes? Relief comes in the shape of a sign saying Riverside Pub half a mile.My maths tells me this is going to a round trip of a mile. We agree to take the car parked close by. A pint of Buttcombe Pale Ale is quickly followed by their Best Bitter. A beautiful setting as we sit in an elevated position overlooking the River Avon.

The walk today has been a total of 9.68 miles.

The Market Harborough Round (6) Hallaton & Tugby

Starting point for this leg of the Market Harborough Round is the Church of St Michael in the village of Hallaton in Leicestershire. The village's name means 'farm/settlement on a nook of land'.  
The village is famous for the tradition of 'Bottle Kicking' as well as the 'Hare Pie Scramble' that accompanies it. More of this later I can promise you. 

As we pass the Church I notice a small museum of local history. I'm sure the 'Hallaton Treasure' gets more than a passing mention. In 2000 close to Hallaton the largest hoard of British Ion Age coins was found. The local metal detectorists were responsible for what turned out to be one of the most important Iron Age finds. Over 5,000 silver and gold coins dating to around the time of the Roman Conquest of Britain were discovered. Finds from the treasure can be found at the Harborough Museum. 

Walking in a clockwise direction we are soon out into some beautiful rolling countryside. The area is well known for being a 'hunting' location. The less said about that the better I think. To our right is Castle Hill. A very fine example of a motte and Bailey dating back to the Norman period of late 11th century or early 12th. Definitely one of the best examples of its kind in Leicestershire.   

The skies have been busy with aircraft activity of varying types. Probably a members gathering, as their didn't seem to be an Air Shows listed I believe the aircraft pictured above are 'Chipmunks'. Or if you prefer The de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk. A single-engined primary trainer aircraft designed and developed by Canadian aircraft manufacturer de Havilland. We arrived in the village of Tugby, 12 miles south of Leicester. It was a warm day so we popped into the village pub 'The Fox and Hounds' for a thirst quenching pint. The brew in question was from the local 'Parish Brewery' 'Burrough Hill'. Founded in 1983 is the second-oldest microbrewery in Britain. The brewery is located at the 'Stag and Hounds' pub in Melton Mowbray. Famed for the ‘Baz’s Bonce Blower’ brewed to an ABV of 12-13%. Back in 1984 this was brewed to a whopping 23% and held the Guinness book of records for strongest beer! 

The Fox Inn Hallaton

Back into Hallaton and we find the large Duck pond close to the Fox Inn. The 'Bottle Kicking mentioned earlier takes place each Easter Monday. Two teams attempt to retrieve the bottle which is actually a barrel to their respective village. The tradition dates back to before the 18th century. Local lore claims that the custom began when two ladies of Hallaton were saved from a raging bull by a startled Hare. Thus distracting the Bull and saving the ladies. From this and as thanks to God the vicar would provide a Hare Pi loves and Ale for the poor. The Hallaton villagers would fight each other for the food and drink, and on one occasion, the residents of the neighboring village of  Medbourne stole the beer! The Hallatonians didn't take this lying down and recovered the spoils. A tradition and fierce rivalry was born. 

The day starts with a parade through the villages of Medbourne and Hallaton. Locals carry a large hare pie and the three "bottles", which are actually small kegs or barrels. The pie is blessed by the Hallaton Vicar before being cut apart and thrown to the crowd for the "scramble". The game itself is pretty much a fee for all, with no rules. Except that there is no eye-gouging, no strangling, and no use of weapons..The contest is a rough one, with teams fighting to move the bottles over such obstacles as ditches, hedges, and barbed wire! The emergency services are certainly kept busy. Afterwards much drinking and banter takes place in the local hostelries.There is a rumour that  this was the pre-cursor to modern day Rugby Union.

Decorations are being put up on the village Green in anticipation of the Coronation of King Charles next week. No don't things won't be as lively as the 'Bottle Kicking.

It has been another great walk despite the lack of obvious points of interest. The scenery has been fantastic . A total of  10.78 miles walked.

Farthingstone, Mantles Heath & Everdon Stubbs Bluebell Walk

I always enjoy a trip over to Everdon Stubbs for the Bluebell spectacle. A bit of a different walk this time with a good friend of mine who lives in nearby Cold Higham. Starting point was the village of Farthingstone. I have walked from here before. 

We pick up the footpath that leads through Farthingstone Golf Club. Brings back memories as I played regularly here some twenty years ago. Nobody seems to be playing today though. Such a shame as its a beautiful course. We are heading towards 'Mantles Heath'. A tranquil beauty spot that isn't quite so well known as 'Everdon Stubbs'. The views towards Everdon are superb. Coppicing lets sunlight into the wood, encouraging bluebells and other woodland flowers to flourish. Much of the meadow is acidic grassland where herbs such as cat's-ear, tormentil, sheep's sorrel and heath bedstraw grow.   

 

We get our first sighting of the plentiful Bluebells. They actually spend the majority of their time underground as bulbs, emerging, often in droves, to flower from April onwards. Bluebells are native to western Europe with the UK being a species stronghold. They're associated with ancient woodland and are often used in combination with other species as a clue that a wood is ancient. They reach their greatest densities in the UK’s woods where many thousands of bulbs can exist in one woodland, creating the incredible blue carpets associated with spring. Bluebell woods are believed to be intricately woven with fairy enchantments. Be warned though f you are to pick a bluebell, many believe you will be led astray by fairies, wandering lost forevermore. They are also known as 'fairy flowers', 'witches' thimbles' and 'cuckoo's boots'.

Our walk continues past Snorscomb Mill as we head towards Everdon. 

Once a medieval village, Snorscomb, meaning a ‘many toothed valley', is mentioned in the Doomsday book. The land was enclosed by the Knightley family of Fawsley in 1508 and the village reduced to just the mill, a cottage and a farmhouse, which is how it is today. The 19th century mill is a fantastic looking building with amazing countryside views. We continue into Everdon through the Allotments and past the Cricket pitch. It's a steep walk up through Everdon Stubbs initially. The 'Stubbs' is much better known than 'Mantles Heath' and therefore attracts many more people. 

There are largely two types of Bluebell. The native ones to the UK and the Spanish variety. Cross pollination and hybridisation  can occur which making pure forms quite rare. Native bluebells give off a beautiful sweet aroma. Spanish bluebells have no smell. Native bluebells have droopy heads. Spanish bluebell heads are much more upright. Native bluebells are narrow in shape with rolled back tips. Spanish bluebells are more conical with open tips. You can dig up the Spanish Bluebells though as they are not protected by law. 

Native Bluebells

 

It has been a beautiful walk for sure. The blue in the woods and the yellow in the fields are vibrant. We make our way back towards the village of Farthingstone our starting point.

Apparently the Golf Course at Farthingstone is now closed. A hotel and camping pods are planned. Hopefully the developers will be kind and considerate to the landscape? In total a distance of 7.95 miles was walked.