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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD


Derek Harwood's Walking Records

If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com

WARWICKSHIRE RAMBLE
RIDGEWAY LANE


Tuesday 19th December 2006
............................Walk No. 688
19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Cubbington to Ridgeway Lane - Map Courtesy www.streetmap.co.uk

Warwickshire Ramble No 7                        Total 74 miles


Time Taken:  4.75 hrs    Distance:      Enjoyment:        Weather:      Mild
 9:35 am - 2:20 pm         11.5 miles            80%                            Clear & Bright

Temp:  Cloud:     Rain:   Visibility:  Ground Conditions:   Wild Life:     Horses
 9oC       85%       None        Clear         Very Muddy                 Birds & Insects

Total AA:      Total MH:    Total LD:       Total AW:     Other:     Total Distance:
 1027.5 mls    931.5 mls    1823.5 mls       162 mls       1043 mls      4987.5 miles

Companions: (Derek) John Ingram

Points of Interest and LINKS:

Cubbington Village Hunningham Village Hunningham Hill Ridgeway Lane Grand Union Canal Radford Semele Newbold Comyn Park Lillington Grand Union Canal Locks : 5 Moving Barges : 1. Alice - C.M.& A.E. Holmes 2. Sans Souce 3. Beefur
Description:
Started from Pinehurst Cubbington and walked down Mill Lane past South Cubbington Wood, with fine views across the fields towards Hunningham Hill. Pleasant walk alongside the River Leam across the meadows into Hunningham Village, past the fields of grazing horses to Hill View houses. Short deviation along the Offchurch Lane to a 'Permitted Path' up to The Hill Top Restaurant & Shop. We spotted an unusual notice in the hedge, (see picture), explaining the importance and beauty of hedges in the countryside. More good views from Hunningham Hill over Hunningham Village and across to the Ryton Pools Country Park. Stopped to pat two Shetland Ponies then proceeded along the Restaurant driveway to the Fosse Way Roman Road B4455. Crossed the road with care to the northern end of the Ridgeway Lane, as the traffic often speeds along this straight road. Passed the Fouraces Farmhouse and the 'Unclassified County Road' signs, and soon arrived on the lane at the deep cutting of the old railway line linking Leamington Spa to Rugby, with the huge iron bridge spanning the cutting built specially for the Ridgeway Lane. Good memories of my train spotting days in my youth at Rugby, so I couldn't resist a photo on the bridge looking towards the flat fields of Rugby. Continued along the lane towards Snowford Lodge, passing Snowford House and the Long Itchington Road. Here we spotted a tree fully laden with apples, a most unusual sight in December, due to the recent mild weather. We crossed the Stonebridge Road and slid our way through the muddy lane towards the Welsh Road. To our amazement we spotted several 'road cats eyes' oddly positioned along the lane in the mud. How they got there was complete mystery as two vehicles would find it very difficult to pass at the best of times. As we approached the Grand Union Canal the lane was so muddy we decided to walk in the adjacent fields alongside the lane. We entered the Grand Union Canal towpath at Longhole Bridge No 31, a welcome change from the muddy lane. The towpath is well drained and even in most places. We soon passed the first of three moving barges 'Alice' as we walked in the sunshine along the canal, passing several locks and the Fosse Wharf. As we neared the wharf we passed some permanently moored barges tied to the canal bank. One of the barges had a flat piece of stiff plastic positioned half way along the mooring rope. We pondered about the reason for this sheet of plastic and we could only think that it was to stop the rats from entering the boat along the rope. At Fosse Wharf we noticed some grazing animals in the field. Not Lamas but a very similar or cross breed. We stopped for lunch and a break at Lock 22 and watched a pair of swans flying low, preparing to land on the canal near the lock. Always a good sight watching swans in flight. We also watched a bird of prey in a distant tree, expecting to see a kill. Not so lucky. From lunch we continued along the canal passing the Offchurch Bottom Lock and the Prince Regent Restaurant Barge. At Sydenham the canal was well populated with ducks, swans, geese and moorhens, all expecting to be fed bread from the local children. Just before we left the canal we were passed by two more moving barges, 'Sans Sousi' and 'Beefur'. We entered Newbold Comyn Park in the pleasant winter sunshine and proceeded towards Eden Court Flats via Redhouse farm and Redhouse Lane. As we ascended the lane we noticed the local fields were scattered with horses, all facing the same direction, north east. Do horses like the sun on their tails? From the lane we followed the footpath around the edge of Lillington towards the Eden Court Flats. We skirted more fields of horses. One horse was wearing a nose bag but still appeared to be able to eat the grass, very strange. Another horse was grazing next to the local Ordanance Column (97 metres). As we approached the flats we could see that it was impossible to follow the footpath correctly due to the huge volume of rubbish dumped along the footpath. The choice we had, was, to return along the footpath or find a way through the hedge into the adjacent field. We eventually found a small tunnel through the hedge into the field and followed our noses along a well trodden dog walking path to the next field and down towards Thwaites Factory. As we followed the hedge I was amazed at the large number of small insect swarming around. The weather was mild and the air was still, but in December flying insects are almost unknown. As we walked back through Cubbington Village I noticed the increasing amount of Christmas Decorations around the High Street Shops. Will Father Christmas come this year? Another very enjoyable walk with John around the footpaths of Warwickshire.

Location: www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start & finish from Cubbington 434360/268445 , - via Ridgeway Lane Bridge 438225/266520, - via Fosse Wharf 436545/264230. (Click on location and use Zoom).

Hazards: Unfortunately this walk was spoiled by the huge volume of rubbish dumped on the footpath. Please report blocked footpaths to your local Council. Apart from this obstacle this walk was and is a delight, with plenty of variety.


Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage
19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Towards Hunningham Hill from South Cubbington Wood
19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Notice in Hedge near Hunningham Village
19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - House in Hunningham from The Hill Farm
Derek's Long Distance Walks
19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Start of Ridgeway Lane at Hunningham Hill
19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Derek at Ridgeway Lane Railway Bridge towards Rugby
19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - John in Muddy Ridgeway Lane near Welsh Road
19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Barge Calley 'Alice' on Canal near Ridgeway Lane
19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - John on Canal Lock 22 for Lunch East of Old Railway Bridge
19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Geese on Canal at Sydenham Leamington Spa
19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Christmas Decorations on High  Street Shops Cubbington 19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Rubbish on Footpath near Buckley Road Flats Lillington 19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Horse by OS Column near Buckley Road Lillington 19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Campion Hills from Newbold Comyn Park 19th December 2006 - Warwickshire Ramble - Barge Called 'Sans Sousi' at Sydenham

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Devised: January 2007