The Shakespeare's Avon Way - Charlton, Fladbury & Cropthorne (19)

Starting off close to Evesham things got off to a tricky start.. Perfect walking conditions as we climbed 'Clark's Hill'. All was fine until we came to a 'No Entry' Private Property sign. Firstly we had found ourselves walking down towards the river. A retreat was required. We had turned off too early, backtracking we climbed higher. There didn't seem to be any signs for 'The Shakespeare's Avon way' either? We continued regardless in the direction of the Sewage Works. At least the views to our right were pretty decent. The top of Evesham Abbey showing amongst the treetops. Thankfully we were able to link up with the right path after passing the Sewage Works.  

In the distance storm clouds are gathering over Bredon Hill. Steeped in thousands of years of history. At the summit of the hill is an Iron Age Hill fort that dates back to well before the 1st century A.D. Not visible from where we are today though sadly. In 2011 the largest hoard of Roman silver coins ever found in Worcestershire was discovered near to the Hill fort.

 We have reached the village of Charlton. The village Green is really impressive! A beautiful stream flows through the village. Thankfully the storm clouds seem to have gone in a different direction and the sun is now out. We approach 'Jubilee Bridge' and have a choice to make. The figure of eight route gives us options. We could follow the River or continue towards Fladbury. 

Mr Heron enjoying the view

We chose to leave the River leg of the walk until last. A good decision as it turned out. Something is afoot? I have a nose for such matters. Cars are being parked up in a field, people are gathering en masse. Further investigation is required with immediate effect. I ask a red faced rotund gentleman in a check shirt and waistcoat what was occurring?  'Everything' came the reply. It's the Fladbury Walkabout'. Whatever it was they seemed to be charging for it.We made a hasty retreat before being relieved of our hard earned. Most people seemed to have a fluorescent green sticker about their person. This seem to allow them 'access all areas' privileges.  Most of which seemed to be in other peoples back gardens!

This was only the start of things though. as we got nearer to the village Green things got even busier. Stalls and marquees, a Caribbean Jerk Chicken BBQ, a Ukulele band, a Classic and Vintage Car display and best of all a Pie Shop. Complete with two pubs this looks to me like a village punching above it's weight! You can keep your fancy Glastonbury and Latitude Festivals, this is where it is at! The man in the field was quite right it has everything.What more could you possibly want on sunny quintessential English village afternoon. A pint of Beer, live music and a fresh pie and I'm in some sort of heaven. However there is still well over half of the walk to complete. Fladbury , you rocked! It was good while it lasted. 

We continue on the Shakespeare's Avon Way (Still no signs) past Spring Hill Farm and join up with the River. It's a peaceful scene, just the odd Angler and a few canoes on the water. Some lovely houses too, huge sloping gardens reaching down the the Avon. A touch of jeopardy is in the air.... The official footpath ends at one point. The path still exists but just not officially. Maybe It's just a Fisherman's path? There is nothing to say we shouldn't be there so we carry on regardless.  Ignorance is bliss as they say.

A footbridge with a gated off entrance is too tempting to pass by. A bit of physical strength and flexibility is required to manouvre myself into position. It felt good too, outwitting the authorities, giving it to the man!  Whoever he might be? The rebellious self righteousness was short lived though as I pondered how I was going to get back down to ground level. Not to mention the footings didn't feel too stable either. A 'hanging and letting go' technique was required. It did the trick but didn't do the already dodgy knees much good. I picked myself up in installments and carried on. 

Approaching Copthorne we pass by some very fit looking Racehorses. It is the professional racing Stable of former Jockey turned Trainer Tony Carroll. 'Mill House Racing' has fantastic facilities by the look of things. Over 70 stables, and state of the art all weather gallops. Best of all the horses are all fenced in securely and my blood pressure is safe. 

St Michael's Church Cropthorne

 We have reached Jubilee Bridge again and connecting the last part of the figure of eight route.

St Michael’s Church is sited at the heart of the ancient village settlement of Cropthorne.Offa, King of Mercia, had a hunting lodge on the site of Cropthorne Court, which is behind the Church.

 

There is still some lovely scenery to enjoy as we head back towards the start point.

Another fantastic walk in the Vale of Evesham.A total of 11.06 miles walked.
 

The Market Harborough Round (7) Billesdon & Skeffington

We are back in the village of Tugby for this our seventh leg of the Market Harborough Round. We are parked up in the Community Centre Car Park next to the Allotments. We set off in a clockwise direction towards the village of Rolleston. It's mid morning and it's already in the mid 20's and very humid. We are soon out amongst the rolling countryside that is so familiar on this walk. Archie (The  Dog) takes every opportunity to cool off at every waterhole.

We pass Briery Leys Spinney and take a slight detour in the direction of Goadby.According to the map there is a large lake just down the hill on the Rolleston Hall Estate. Also, tucked away in the woodland in this small hamlet is the Church. (St John The Baptist).This small chapel consists of a west tower, and nave and chancel all in one. The tower is the oldest part of the church dating to the 13th century but the top stage with its battlements dates from the restoration in 1740. 

Things quickly start to get very difficult.... The next field is very overgrown. We miss the footpath sign as a result and have to back-track to find it. The Footbridge too is covered in Thistles and Nettles. I am really regretting the decision to wear shorts at this point, the legs are getting stung all over. Somehow I seem to have either been stung or bitten under the chin too. Even the old varicose veins seem to have expanded....I'm not happy and vow never to wear shorts again. The footpath takes us the the busy Harborough Road which we cross. 

The footpath continues the other side of the road. Unfortunately there is no obvious footpath. The field is shoulder high with crops of the Oil Seed Rape variety. Rather than risk 'death by a thousand cuts' trying to hack our way through we make the unanimous decision to take the road route to Billesdon.      

Church at Skeffington

It is definitely the right decision as we pass the village pub, 'The Queens Arms'. A pint of Theakston's Mild goes down very well indeed.  Billesdon has a population of 901 according to the 2011 census. This small chapel consists of a west tower, and nave and chancel all in one. The tower is the oldest part of the church dating to the 13th century but the top stage with its battlements dates from the restoration in 1740.Or sword shaped hill , so maybe it once had a sharp ridge? The Church here is also dedicated to St John The Baptist. 

We leave Billesdon passing Kates Hill Farm. We see the footpath that we would have originally emerged from. We continue uphill past the cemetery. We are heading in the direction of Skeffington through some lovely woodland.  

 

 The village's church is dedicated to St Thomas Becket, and dates from the 1th Century. Skeffington Hall is a 15th-century Manor House which stands in parkland off the main street.The house was originally constructed in about 1450 and extended c1530 and again in the early or mid 17th century. It's the third beautiful village/Hamlet we have visited today. A cracking walk at a touch under 10 miles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Country - The Roadmender Northampton

Fantastic to be seeing Big Country again for the third time on my home patch, 'The Roadmender' in Northampton. The fourth time in total as I'm sure I saw them at The Northampton Show many years ago? A really unexpected treat too, as a friend was unable to make this twice re-arranged performance. He very kindly donated the tickets to my wife and I. For which I am extremely grateful. The Doors are due to open at 7 PM, half an hour earlier than previously listed. We arrive just after 6 PM and there is no sign of life. We depart temporarily to 'The Bear' for a pre gig beer. Excellent value too at £3.45 for a pint of Abbott Ale and a soft drink.

Returning a short while later there is now a queue of three people. One or two of the usual suspects conspicuously absent.   It is quite pleasant chatting in the sunshine, such a contrast from the many cold and wet evenings endured in the same spot. We are soon joined by another familiar face from a few years ago. None other than the 'Kaivon' all the way from Toronto. He's loaded up with carrier bags again after a trip to 'Savers' in town. It's his Birthday, and he's on the Guest List too, so very excited. He also has news that all might not be well with the support band 'Spear of Destiny'. He remains tight-lipped, all will become revealed he assures us. We take up position stage right in front of where new Bassist Gil Allan will be situated.  

Sure enough the remaining members of 'Spear Of Destiny take the stage to tell us that Front man Kirk Brandon has been taken ill. Pretty serious too as he is being kept in hospital overnight. As a result the 'SOD' support slot is cancelled. All good wishes go out to Kirk for a speedy recovery. Big Country will now start at 8:30.

The Roadmender has filled nicely, not quite capacity but not far off. The band take the stage right on time and Bruce (Watson) invites Mark (Brzezicki) to takes us back to 1983. The beat strikes up to the opening song '1000 Stars'. 

''You all know why you're here tonight'' cries Bruce. Out of the silence a lone voice, with a Canadian twinge centre stage replies ''It's my Birthday''. ''Shut the F***K'' up is the immediate response. All in great humour. One of the many crowd favourites 'Lookaway' comes next.   

Things are warming up nicely as we dip back in to The Crossing'. The  album album reached No.3 in the official UK charts, 18 in the USA on the Billboard 200 in 1983. Arguably one of the best debut albums by a British Rock band of It's time. Definitely doesn't get the recognition it richly deserves in my opinion at least. Solid guitar based Rock at it's finest. 

There has been a line-up change to since I last saw the band. Bassist Scott Whitley has moved on, and Scotsman Gil Allan has taken over. On vocals the Iconic 'Simon Hough' is10 years into the role. We break away from 'The Crossing' with 'Just a Shadow' from 1984's Steeltown album. Talking of which the title track follows, a great song with local connections of course. Hopefully next year will see a 40th Anniversary of 'Steeltown' too.

 Things slow down a little with 'Ships' from 1991, the 'most modern' song of the night.  

The audience get their chance to exercise their lungs with 'Chance'. All together now.....

''Oh Lord where did the feeling go
 Oh Lord I never felt so low''

 

Bruce is becoming more and more animated. At one stage he lashes out at the microphone stand, sending it flying. The anarchic outburst is lost though when he apologises . ''You'll have to forgive me I'm upset , and It's all Phillip Schofield's  fault, the Bxxxxxd''.

The sound at the The Roadmender is excellent too. A big ending is in store too. Three heavyweights from their back catalogue take us to a rousing finish. 'In a Big Country', 'Wonderland' and 'Fields of Fire'. A set list rammed full of favourites as well as all 10 songs from ' The Crossing'.  The band leave the stage to rapturous applause.

Bruce & Jamie Watson

 

The Iconic Simon Hough

Remembering absent friends

A short departure it is too, and with a waft of a hasty vape in the air the band take to the stage again. The last song of the night is a super charged version of 'Inwards'. As always respects are paid to Stuart and the love is felt throughout the room. It has been a fantastic night and Big Country seem to get better each time I see them . As long as the fans keep turning out they will keep on playing. 

Thanks once again to Lee Mandley and Simon Morgan for thinking of me with the tickets.

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.