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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
GRAND UNION CANAL

Thursday 1st February 2007 ................................Walk No. 691		 

Warwickshire Ramble No 9                         Total 98 miles


Time Taken:  5 hrs       Distance:      Enjoyment:        Weather: Cloudy but Mild
 9:10 am - 2:10 pm         14 miles            75%                       Spring is Early

Temp:  Cloud:     Rain:   Visibility:  Ground Conditions:  Wild Life:Mute Swans
10oC     100%       None     Average         Very Muddy                Snowdrops

Total AA:      Total MH:    Total LD:       Total AW:     Other:     Total Distance:
 1027.5 mls    931.5 mls    1823.5 mls       162 mls     1071.5 mls       5016 miles

Companions: (Derek) John Ingram

Points of Interest and LINKS:
Cubbington Church                    Offchurch Walks                       Cycling Route 41
The Grand Tour                       Grand Union Canal                 Railway Branch Line

Grand Union Canal Locks : 9
Moving Barges : 1. Rebecca - Kate Boats
                        2. Amy Clare - Kate Boats
Description:
Started early on a mild day from Pinehurst Cubbington, anticipating a long walk along the canal & old railway track. As we walked through Cubbington Village and along New Street we saw the first signs of spring, clumps of daffodils in full bloom. We continued along Mill Lane & past South Cubbington Wood towards the River Leam. To our surprise we came across a hedgerow full of fallen apples, with some apples still on the leafless trees. Good views across to Hunningham Hill as we descended into the Leam Valley towards the footbridge. The path was extremely muddy as we passed the coppice just before the footbridge. Over the bridge to the meadow and a lone fisherman enjoying the peace & quiet of the countryside. Just before Manor Farm & Offchurch Village we came across a fallen tree, which had presumably been struck by lightning because no cuts were visible and the trunk still remained 15 feet (5 metres) above the ground. However, there were no scorch or rotting marks in the wood. Very strange. Just after Manor Farm and by the stile, we came across another sign of spring. Several clumps of Snowdrops in full bloom. Into Offchurch Village and just before the Stag's Head Public House, as we approached the road, the cottage on the right had just received a new tin roof. My guess was that the thatched roof was going to be applied later. We turned up the field after the Stag to the top lane, where a vintage car slowly glided by. Probably a Morris at a guess. After another field we came to the cycle track of an old railway line (Cycleway Route No. 41). Strong evidence of recent rabbit burrowing and a worn channel in the path where the storm water had removed the shale from the path to form a deep channel hazard. At the impressive huge railway bridge over the canal, we descended to the towpath & walked along towards Long Itchington. At Fosse Lock 21, we passed two barges negotiating the lock towards Napton Marina for their winter stopover. Soon after we came across a family of Mute Swans hoping we would feed them. We were surprised to see that the juvenile feathers of the youngster had not turned white. Must have been born very late in the season. By this time the weather was so warm we took off our fleeces and walked in our sheet sleeves. Not bad for the first day of February. Eventually we reached the old railway branch line bridge and turned off the canal northwards towards Hunningham. When we were alongside the River Itchen we took the footpath alongside the dismantled railway to the junction of Snowford Hill Lane & Hunningham Hill Lane. We stopped for lunch at the old railway bridge of the Rugby-Leamington Branch Line on the Hunningham Hill Lane. The path alongside the bridge up to the railway line level is very steep from the lane. Unfortunately there was nowhere to sit, so we had to sit on the high bridge wall, with a massive drip of about 50 feet (17 metres) down to the lane. After lunch we continued along the lane to Hunningham via Hunningham Hill. We rounded Hunningham St Margaret's Church and walked alongside the River Leam to the footbridge and up the hill to Cubbington. Just before South Cubbington Wood we were amazed to see an artist with an easel, painting the Warwickshire landscape. Again, not bat for the first of February. Yet another long and enjoyable varied walk with John, on our doorstep.

Location: www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start & finish from Cubbington 434360/268445 , - via Offchurch Bottom Lock 435255/264935, - via Bascote Locks 439500/264160. (Click on location and use Zoom).

Hazards: Always take care when walking along the canal towpath when the ground conditions are very muddy. It is not unknown for walkers to slip into the canal. In some places it would be difficult to pull yourself clear of the water because the canalside is designed to be high for mooring the barges.
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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2007
Devised: February 2007