LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

We drove to Baddesley Clinton National Trust property and parked in the car park. We had a slow walk around the gardens and ponds, but no visits to the property due to Covid 19 restrictions. It wasn't busy around the property grounds because the timed entry had to be booked prior to the visit, so the car park was less than half full. We found lots of daffodils in bloom around the garden but unfortunately most had seen their best. We decided we must go earlier next year. The birds were all in full song, so we sat on a bench and enjoyed the very relaxing atmosphere. Even the very noisy Canada geese on the lake/pond did not bother us, we absorbed all the sounds and smells. We found the situation very good for the soul., What a wonderful world we live in, may it never end. When we arrived back at reception we turned right through the gate marked 'Heart of England Way' and followed the track almost alongside the car park, approached a very large bed of daffodils. It was a very beautiful sight but not perfect because many of the daffodils were not at their best. We almost immediately came to St Michael's churchyard, where it was tempting to sit on a bench so early into the walk, but we didn't. A right turn at the exit of the churchyard took us south from the church drive into the first of many fields, arable and grazing. As we approached the fourth field with Rowington Coppice on the left and a land ahead, two riders and horses could be seen getting closer. The riders seemed very accomplished and the horses immaculately groomed to perfection. We exchanged a few words about the glorious April weather as they passed. When they reached the field we had just vacated they adjusted the horses' girths then trotted off across the field following the 'Heart of England Way'. We continued along the lane towards Lyons Farm where the stone surface of the lane changed to a cinder surface as we passed to the east of Lyons Farm. We were surprised how difficult it was to walk on the cinders, almost like walking on soft sand. Just after Lyons Farm we came to 'Rowington Green' lane a lady in a car asked us we knew if the road works were passable. We explained that we had just arrived at the lane, so we couldn't help. As we turned right (westwards) along the lane we watched her slowly approach the road works in the distance. After a few yards (metres) we were passing 'Queen's Drive' on the right. I had a look at the signs put out by the workmen, which clearly said that the lane was closed. We knew she would be back. Sure enough a few minutes later, when we came to the halt sign at the main road of 'Old Warwick Road' B4439, she approached the halt sign, where she waited for a long time trying to figure out which way to go to her destination. We had spotted a bench on the B4439, just to the north of the junction, so we stopped for a rest in the heat of the sunshine and watched her. She eventually drove away to her objective, and at this point considered it was time to continue our walk in the Warwickshire countryside. We crossed the main road and continued our walk towards the south west along 'Finwood Road'. We passed Mill Lane on the left and 'Flixton House' on the right, before reaching 'Tom o' the Wood' public house, just before 'Turner's Green Bridge' and the 'Grand Union Canal'. We crossed the bridge and admired the small cottage on the right as we walked down the slope to the canal towpath. We turned left under Bridge 64 and continued on the towpath north along the west side on the canal. The canal water was very still and its usual muddy colour, I was surprised that the weather hadn't brought out the narrow boat owners and stirred up clouds of mud from the canal bed. After about 20 minutes walk the usual spring countryside noises of birds and sheep etc, were drowned by the noise of the nearby M40motorway and the occasional passing train. At one point the railway runs parallel with the canal alongside. Soon after, the canal curved towards the north east and I was surprised to see a bridge alongside the canal on the left. I consulted the map and immediately realised it was 'Kingswood' canal link connecting the 'Grand Union Canal' with 'Stratford Canal'. Because the two canals were owned by two different companies, a canal link wasn't considered until it was realised that more revenue could be obtained with the saving of time travelling to Birmingham. Next stop on the 'GUC' was 'Kingswood Bridge' 65, this is where we climbed the steep path from the towpath to the 'Old Warwick Road' B4439, alongside the 'Navigation Inn' public house. We turned right on the busy main road to walk carefully for 250 metres (250 yards) to a lane on the left leading to an equestrian farm, where we could see many horses in the fields, all separate and surrounded by an electric fence. We followed the public footpath between the horses and immediately came to a pure white mare, I think. She was beautiful, I was impressed and I'm not a horsey person. We continued on the wide path, safe in the knowledge that we were protected by an electric fence. As we turned a bend we saw a horse ahead getting agitated and, as we approached, even more agitated until we were close, when the mare started to race around its small enclosure at high speed. We hurried past sharply and watched from a safe distance. After a discussion we wondered if the horse had a fly moving around under its eye protection net. From Clinton Farm we headed north east, following the 'Heart of England Way' to the boundary of the National Trust property, bear the small lake and house. We hoped to take a short cut onto the N.T. drive but there wasn't an exit from the field, until the HofE Way crossed the drive. A short walk down the drive back to the N.T. car park, where we had a lovely picnic. A great day out with delightful surroundings. An excellent, varied walk in good weather. Recommended.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start & Finish: at Baddesley Clinton National Trust.