Keeping it local today, a local walk for local people you might say. I've been for a rather hearty breakfast in nearby Walgrave. An offer to attend the 'Mens Group Breakfast Meeting' was too good to turn down. An excellent 'fry up', prepared and cooked by the ladies and served in the Church went down very well indeed. The first Saturday of the month is now firmly noted in the diary for future reference.
Starting point today is the village of Old, the village previously known as Wold. Nobody seems to have updated the sign though. It looks fairly new so I suspect it's more a nostalgic nod to the past. It has also been called 'Wolde' and in the Domesday Book it was down as 'Walde'. The village's name means 'High forest'. I have walked these parts previously, today though I shall be taking different routes. Some I shall be walking backwards. Not literally, that would be daft , as well as dangerous. Going in the opposite direction would be a more accurate description.
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Leaving Old I'm heading for the village of Scaldwell. I have never walked in this direction before and it is a bit confusing. Even the Sheep seem a bit confused. 'Whats he doing walking this way' I can see them thinking. I have other concerns occupying me though. I know there was a huge Bull in the next field. Last time I had a good view and could avoid him easily enough. He has the upper hand today and I shall remain vigilant.
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Thankfully no sign of the Bull, just some horses who show no interest whatsoever. Why can't they all be like that? It's a good area for footbridges too, I've negotiated four already. The weather has dried up this week after all the rain previously. A bit dull but fairly mild some can't complain too much after all it is February.
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We emerge in Scaldwell by the village green . The old water pump has a Domesday sign celebrating 900 years of Norman heritage. The First World War war memorial is even more interesting though. It list the names of men from the village who lost their lives between 1914-1918. The first two names on the list are a; Harry Arthur & John Arthur. Maybe distant relatives of mine , who knows? We cross the road to the Church of St Peter & St Paul. It has a Norman tower and some 13th century-features,as well as Commonwealth War Graves. Strangely there is on a stone for 'Harry' who served in the Northamptonshire Regiment and died on 21st March 1916. He would have been 20 years old at the time. More confusingly inside the Church their is a plaque which lists them as being 'Arthurs'. So I'm really unsure which spelling is correct?
I did like the poster though in the Church notices 'God accepts Allsorts' on a Liquorice Allsorts backdrop.It's a lovely village Church and that's about all really in Scaldwell as no Pub or Shop.
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We leave Scaldwell with much to ponder. Which could well last until we reach the next destination 'Lamport'. Once again a route that I'm not totally familiar with. The footpath winds It's way between a row of houses, but opens up into a wide expanse of fields. Reassuringly the sun makes the briefest of appearances, oh and we find mud, lots of it. Churned up by farm vehicles I suspect?
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The path takes us directly to the village of Lamport. We have ventured into the 10 acre grounds of Lamport Hall. The house is Grade1 listed and developed from a Tudor Manor, and notable for It's classic frontage. As the house and garden doesn't open until April I felt a bit conspicuous. Unfortunately the wall had a 10ft drop had so that escape route was cut off. We moved to a wooded area and were less visible. The Snowdrops were out in force and we managed to climb out thankfully.
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| Lamport Hall |
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As exits go it doesn't get much more undignified. We have literally sprawled out onto the verge by the A508. The view opposite us though is a beautiful one. Even on a dreary day the Brampton Valley looks superb. We turn the corner into Lamport and pass the Church which is all shut up. They must have seen us coming.. A bit of a road stretch now as we head roughly back towards Old. We have choices though, which footpath do we take that is the question. We opt for the path close to Faxton Grange which will take us out into the countryside.
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More mud but the trail is quite clear as it climbs across the ridge.This is a prime spot for Hare spotting and doesn't disappoint today. Several are seen scampering on the edges. We are heading towards the site of the deserted village of Faxton. We aren't quite going that far and will turn sharply back towards our destination.
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It's a long straight treck back through the fields. More distant Hares on the horizon but not much else. The only downside to this walk is the uphill climb on the road back to Old. I've cycled this hill hundreds of times in the past, and never seen the water flowing by the side of the bridge.
We arrive back having completed 8.4 miles of a very pleasant walk. Looking at the Strava map it reminds me of a bird in flight. A Dove perhaps? Perhaps dear Reader you will see something different?
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