As we approached Elton we noticed a garden centre close to Elton Hall. We're usually quite ready to be distracted by a cuppa and a snack before a walk, so we investigated. We shared a large slice of rather good banana and chocolate cake, to accompany our drinks.
The people in the café were quite happy for us to leave the car in their car park while we walked.
Near to the chapel we found the gate and public footpath which leads past the old mill to the lock gates, where we crossed the River Nene.
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| looking back to Elton Mill |
Just after the lock we turned right, and crossed a footbridge. Then the path turned left across fields, then alongside a hedge and over the dismantled railway line. between Wansford and Oundle.
We ignored th path which goes off diagonally to the left, and continued along the track with a blackberry-laden hedgerow on our right.
We crossed the minor road and went over the stile on the opposite side, across the field and through the farmyard of Park Lodge. We had to walk over the two recently ploughed fields, but they were not wet or sticky. At the other side, through the trees of Park Spinney, we joined the Nene Way. We turned right and continued to the point where four paths cross. Here we turned slightly to our right, as the Nene Way headed off straight ahead.
Before long we met another road, at a junction. Large tree trunks provided a good place to sit and indulge in another short break.
We crossed over and took the small road leading directly east. It runs south and then east again and after a mile or so reaches Elton Bridge.
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| Autumn berries |
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| autumn leaves |
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| and us, looking slightly bemused. |
We followed the road back into Elton and on to the garden centre, though we could have taken a footpath by the river.
Soup and bread at the garden centre café made a very satisfying end to the walk.
2 comments:
A very few leaves are just starting to colour here but there are lots of berries which make me think of the old wives' tale of a bad winter ahead or, perish the thought, is it perhaps fact?!
The berries are really plentiful this year - as for the winter? Time will tell.
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