Sunday 27th July 2008

Venue: The George, Fen Stanton, Cambs. PE 28 9 LQ

 Map 154 G.R. 315684

Walks of  5,10 and 20kms.

Start between 10:00 and 11:00.

Walk fees  £0.75

 

From 'The George' in Fenstanton both routes head out across open country before visiting the delightful village of Hemingford Grey, then across the meadows by the river Great Ouse to the small market town of St Ives with its historic medieval bridge. 

The short route then heads back to Fenstanton via the river whilst the long route also takes in the new RSPB nature reserve at Fen Drayton Lakes (bird spotters bring your binoculars!).  The walk is on flat and easy going terrain with the minimum of stiles.

There will also be a gentle 5k route which takes in a short stretch of the river.

'The George' offers good real ales and a very reasonably priced bar menu.

We would ask that walkers park in the village and not the pub car park as there is limited space.

Hope to see you there.

Mick Cheale & Jane Lanchbury.

 

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                                                                                                 Sunday 10th August 2008

                                                                                     The Danetre Dawdle.

                                                             Venue: The Coach and Horses, Warwick St, Daventry.

                                                                                     Map Explorer 222 G.R. SP 570623

                                                                               Walks of 5, 10 & 20kms                        

                                                                           Start between 10:00 & 11:00

                                                               Walk fees: members £0.75 / Non members: £1

                                   Please park in car park in St James St around the corner opposite The George Pub.

 

The 5km walk is a meander through the town centre, around the country park and is pushchair friendly.

The 10km walk passes down High St to access the Country park. Here we have Fauna, Flora, a reservoir and a cafe for a sly coffee. Then down the road and through a reasonably new open park with a couple of lakes. We then pass through a new development beside another reservoir, popular with anglers and yachtsmen. Into the edge of another industrial estate complete with the statutory fishing lake before accessing the old railway line back into town north of the town centre, to return to the Coach and Horses via a few underpasses. This route should also be pushchair friendly.

The 20km route follows the 10km to the new development by the second reservoir, then leaves to follow the old track across the Braunston Canal tunnel, 1800 yards long, used to take the barge horses to meet the barge at the other end of the tunnel as it was "legged" through. Then it's onto the towpath that, as in a previous year, passes through a particularly wet and muddy section. If you have proper walking shoes then like me, walk straight through the middle of it all. It wont come over your shoes, I did it in normal work shoes and no mess at all, honest. Pass the famous Braunston Marina before leaving the canal to journey along a track to the lonely church of the deserted village of Wolfhamcote. We then make our way to the village of Flecknoe along a very quiet hardly used road, before returning to Daventry across the fields crossing the infant River Leam by Miry Bridge. We pass through the recently planted Kentle Wood to pass the venue of the last Danetre Dawdle of a few years ago. Passing through the Drayton Grange Estate we return to the Coach and Horse from the opposite direction that we left it.

Malc Ogle.

 

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