News : Formula 1 : Walking : Table Tennis : Bellringing : My Friends : My Guestbook : CV : Links

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

BT GROUP WALK
HENLEY IN ARDEN


Friday 9th November 2007
.................................Walk No. 708

Unclassified Walk No 49                      Total 1152.5 miles
BT Walking Group No. 9 --- Walk led by Martin Dickens


Time Taken:  7.25 hrs   Distance:      Enjoyment:        Weather:      Sunny AM
 9:10 am - 16:20 pm       13 miles             85%                                     Wet PM

Temp:   Cloud:    Rain:   Visibility:   Ground Conditions:   Wild Life:    Swans
 12oC       75%      35%      Average              Average                     Geese & Pigs

Total AA:      Total MH:    Total LD:       Total AW:     Other:      Total Distance:
1027.5 mls     931.5 mls    1887 mls         162 mls     1152.5 mls      5160.5 miles

Companions:  (Derek)   Tom, Martin, Colin, Ross, Will, Kev, Paul, Gwen, 
                       Bob, Ken (11 walkers)

Points of Interest and LINKS:
Henley in Arden                             River Alne                          Beaudesert Mount
Heart of England Way         Stratford upon Avon Canal            Yarningale Common
Navigation Inn                         Edstone Aqueduct             Wootton Wawen Village

Description:
The BT Group met at the car park in Henley in Arden. Colin, Ross and myself travelled together and arrived in Henley at 9:00am. Unfortunately, Martin, the leader for this walk, was having trouble with his back again. So he decided to only walk for part of the route. Fortunately, Martin walked with the group on the tricky and awkward sections. We started from the car park with Martin leading us through the passages and paths by the River Alne to Beausdesert Mount where Martin returned to his car. Steady climb to the top of the mount and the location of an ancient fort. Good autumn views across the market town and the surrounding countryside. The trees and bushes at this time of year were many shades of green, yellow and red, very picturesque. As we looked to the south of the town a very unfriendly resident had decided to light a very smokey house fire. I'm sure this is against the local by-laws, but definitely very environmentally unfriendly. Good views towards Edge Lane, despite the smoke. From the mount we followed the 'Heart of England Way' to Holly Bank Farm, passing several well groomed resting horses in a field adjacent to Edge Lane and a well ploughed field just before Hungerfield Farm. Memories of my recent walk on the Heart of England Way when the field had just be rough ploughed. The ground was so rough that I decided to abandon the official path across the field for an easier route around the edge of the field. After Holy Bank Farm we walked along Henley Road for a short while to Preston Field Lane. A green lane with a ford soon after Willowbrook House. We crossed Rookery Lane and was soon met by Martin, who guided us to the Stratford Canal at Yarningale Aqueduct and then onto Yarningale Common. Short pause by Yarningale Farm to say hello to a couple of Pot Bellied Pigs, before a break on the top of the common for refreshments. A buzzard flew around, checking on our intentions. We meandered around the Common, passing Valley Farm and its noisy dogs, to the junction of Ossetts Hole Lane and Common Lane. Here we parted with Martin again before we took the direct route to the Stratford Canal. Lovely scenery and weather long the canal, with its single barge narrow locks, to Wootton Wawen via Preston Bagot. At Wootton Wawen we headed for the Navigation Inn for a welcome pint of beer and a meal. The Inn was surrounded by moored barges and one had a sign 'Beware of the Duck in Fog'. Took a while for the penny to drop, but I still smile at the thought now. After the break we returned to the towpath, crossing the wootton Wawen aqueduct, built in 1813, and the impressive autumn countryside towards another aqueduct. The longest in England, Edstone Aqueduct. Between the aqueducts a rainbow appeared over the canal and a field of horses, while a flock of Canada Geese were flying around. This scenery and events can't be bought. Wonderful moments very difficult to replicate. As be reached the Edstone Aqueduct a lone swan swam the entire length of the aqueduct towards us. Very graceful on top of the water, but invisibly, vigorous movement under the water. After lunch the sunshine was replaced by rain and drizzle. As we walked along Salters Lane towards Little Alne Village the rain was steady and uncomfortable as we tried to avoid the occasional motor car. After Little Alne we followed 'Monach's Way to Wootton Wawen. Here we noticed a Memorial Plinth with the Warwickshire Bear and Ragged Staff. Apparently Wootton Wawen, in 2007, joined the elite villages with over 500 souls. Amazing. As we left the village we passed Warwickshire's oldest church, with memories of ringing 6 bell practice and Wootton Hall with its scenic weirs close to the house. Steady walk along Pettiford Lane and the fields adjacent to the River Alne, back to the car park. Thanks to Martin for another memorable day's walking.

Location: www.streetmap.co.uk , - Start & Finish: Henley in Arden 415220/265790, - via: Edstone Aqueduct 416225/260900, - via: Wootton Wawen Village 415415/263150. (Click on location and use Zoom).

Hazards: Always take extra care while walking along the canal towpath. Please don't remove any of the plugs from the bottom of the aqueducts. Apparently the steam trains did at the Edstone Aqueduct, to top up their water tanks.

Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage

Previous Walk : Next Walk : More Photos : 'Midland Hillwalking' Photos : 'Lake District' Photos
News : Formula 1 : Walking : Table Tennis : Bellringing : My Friends : My Guestbook : CV : Links

Derek Harwood: Copyright 2007
Devised: November 2007