Wednesday 20 Nov - Thrapston to Stanwick Lakes

With Marta. 11 miles there and back. Very flat. 

We set off at about 9.30 from close to the Woolpack Inn. The first section was very soggy, either mud or wet grass.
We were quite shocked to see the number of trees that have been cut down close to the A14. 

Once we were beyond the road conditions improved, as we walked along the old railway track, where there were a few puddles but nothing serious.

Looking towards Woodford

Inside the roundhouse

View from the visitor centre's cafe.

We diverted a hundred yards or so to the Water Mill Cafe at Willy Watt marina.

One of my favourite views when the river is still.

Tansor, Ashton and Cotterstock

Friday 19 October 2018. With Marta. Just over 6 miles, and once again,glorious weather after a chilly start.  Mostly the same route as yesterday's walk with an additional extra mile or so to include Cotterstock church.

Will the clouds win?

Maybe the sun will win..

We parked at Tansor, and walked along the road through the village opposite the church. This took us past the village hall, and Linden Hall. we walked through the large gate at the end, heading towards the A605 Oundle to Peterborough road. It is possible to cross this road with care as there is an island central reservation. 

Time to try a spider's web photo

Once again  we took the minor road directly opposite and walked along it for about half a mile, until we came to a small crossroads, where a bridleway turned right, heading southwest towards Ashton.

After about half a mile we passed another bridleway turning right (ignore this path). Next we passed a rifle range, and the grassy surface changed to a road. Before long we arrived at Ashton. 

Selfie time

Brilliant sunshine once more and tables on the village green - smell the coffee! 

The Chequered Skipper - pub sign made of nails.

 We left the village along the  small road with a "No through road" sign. We went into the grounds of the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, dedicated to Charles Rothschild, who rebuilt the village in 1900. He also built Ashton Wold Hall, which is tucked away along a long drive. He committed suicide in 1923.

We followed the road where the wall has been built to accomodate some of the large old trees, and then took the Nene Way path which leads down to the road near the derelict Ashton Mill, with its pond.

Soon we reached the footbridge over the Nene.

There were a few people fishing along the bank. We turned right and followed the river round and under the A605 coming out at Oundle North Bridge.

Sunlit sheep quick march

We crossed the road at the bridge and took the Nene Way path past the boathouses, walking with the river on our left. Plenty of large bird life today - herons, swans with teenage offspring, cormorants perching on a tree.

One boat, today.

At Cotterstock Lock, we crossed the river and walked with it on our right, through fields to the converted corn mill.

From there we turned left, and walked up to the turning for the church. We paused on a bench in the sun before walking back to the corn mill and following the road to the junction for Tansor. We turned left, and walked along the road until we came to the footpath sign, which took us over a ploughed field, over a stile, then a pasture with a few cows and some sheep. Another stile, another ploughed field. Another stile and a narrow passageway between two gardens and we were back at our starting point.

Cotterstock again, in reverse

With Eddie and Maureen. Thursday 11 October. 7 miles.

Always slightly more tricky following instructions in reverse, so we spent more time walking through the plantation near the river than we should have done. Interesting, if a little tricky underfoot on occasions!

This time we began the walk near the converted corn mill, with the church in view as we left the village. The sky was noticeably cloudier than the previous day.

The path leaves to the left of the mill grounds

Close to Oundle

A heron which was not bothered by us as we walked fairly close by.

A walk from Cotterstock

Wednesday 10 October 2018.  With Marta. Just over 7 miles.

I found this route in the magazine Market Harborough Living, Autumn 2018, p 40-41.  It follows the Nene as it loops round close to Oundle.  We began the walk at Cotterstock, rather than in Oundle, at point 5/6 in the article, taking a footpath labelled Riverside Walk which leaves the main street between a hedge and a fence about 50 yards or so east of the village hall and the red phone box, on the opposite side of the road.

Leaving Cotterstock

Early coffee stop.

A heron flying away

Coming in to Oundle

a fine weathervane

One of several boats we saw on the river

Converted corn mill as we return to Cotterstock

Cotterstock church

Cotterstock Green

Fotheringhay, Elton and the River Nene

With Maureen, Norma, Kate and Eddie. The same walk as last Thursday, with no false turns this time! Around 6 miles.

Walking past Elton Park

A glimpse of Elton Hall

Brightening skies as we return to Fotheringhay.

Elton circular

Friday 14 September - another almost 7 miles. With Marta.

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.

 The walk into Elton village is getting on for a mile, past trees

a slightly threadbare thatched duck and ducklings

 some picturesque tiles

 a war memorial with a difference

 the church

 a crab apple tree

a couple of pubs and a village shop

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.

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.

Autumn berries

autumn leaves

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.