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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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