LETJOG E2W – Day 11: Wednesday 24 April – NORTHAMPTON to WATFORD GAP (13.0 miles)
The sedimentary ironstone rock imparts its soft character on the buildings in this part of the East Midlands
My 36 hours or so back home, resting up, came to a sudden end this morning with the 6.30 am alarm, and after a quick breakfast I hitched a lift with Rachel into the town for my train back to Northampton and the resumption of my LETJOG E2W walk. I have been spoilt over the last two evenings with some excellent (and healthy) home cooking; saying goodbye again, this time potentially for four weeks, is not easy. Thank you Rachel for all of your support to me on this venture!
From Northampton Station, from the spot that I reached on Monday afternoon, I took some residential roads and a path through a park to the outskirts of the town, before taking a lane out through Upper Harlestone, then across fields to Great Brington . . .. . . then after enjoying my picnic lunch in the village, I joined a footpath through the fields to Long Buckby, before completing my day’s walk on the lanes to Watford village and on to the Days Inn motel at Watford Gap Services
Despite missing home already, as I write this post in my motel room tonight, it is good to be back outdoors and in the country. Today’s trek was one of two halves; the first an urban walk out of Northampton followed by a straight section along quiet lanes, the second a delightful undulating transect of farmland through the charming villages of Great Brington, Long Buckby and Watford. This was a short day compared to some of my daily sections of last week, allowing me to ‘find my legs’ again after my day off, and to enjoy the country air and views at a leisurely pace – I hope the photos do justice to the experience.
Delayed again, but at least, eventually, I made it out of Berkhamsted . . .. . . and back to Northampton, where I found a route through the Victorian terraces of the inner suburbs . . .. . . through parkland . . .. . . and finally, out of the town along the lanesA thatch and ironstone cottage in Upper HarlestoneA bird’s egg on the road – about 40 mm long – any idea what species?Repairs to the wall of the Althorp Estate . . . . . . some cottages and a gatehouse . . .. . . and a distant view of Althorp House itself At long last, the footpath off the lane, and into the woods . . .. . . emerging as a grassy track across pasture to Great Brington villageArriving in Great Brington, at the Post Office and the Althorp Coaching Inn (I have a feeling I have been to the latter some years ago) . . .. . . and looking out from the village to the hills beyondA glance back at the villageIn this field I nearly stepped on a sleeping hare – I don’t know who was more startled – but within seconds the hare was half a field away before I managed to get a (camera) shot offGlebe Farm, on the path down from Thornburrow HillThe brook, approaching Long Buckby . . .. . . where, as in Berkhamsted, the current knitting fad (that I understand is now termed ‘yarn-bombing’) is much in evidenceOn the footpath to Watford village: rape and wind turbinesRidges and furrows in the fields at Watford Gap . . .. . . all set to the hum of the M1 motorway
So tonight is a quiet one – there really isn’t an awful lot to do at Watford Gap services of an evening. I have lots of ‘life admin’ to attend to, as well as arrangements for the coming days on my LETJOG E2W walk, so a couple of hours spent on these would not now go amiss!
Bluebells and ‘pinkbells’ in the woods near Long Buckby
For my Blog heading today ‘Country Again’ I have borrowed the title from a song co-written and performed by US country music singer-songwriter Thomas Rhett, from 2021. The song is a lockdown-era reflection on reconnecting with home and self, and comes from an album called ‘Country Again: Side A’ (implying a follow-up album that the artist says has been delayed). Rhett is the son of country singer Rhett Atkins, and already has to his name six studio albums that have produced 21 singles on the Billboard Hot Country charts.
A gift from Rachel – my lightweight ‘barefoot’ shoes – for evening use only!
2 thoughts on “Country Again”
I like those barefoot shoes for evening use only – look like they’d be good on a stony beach!
Amazing Nick, you are so persistent, what an example you are. I may see Rachel on Friday afternoon and will give her an envelope With a small contribution to Parkinsons uk. What extraordinary energy you have! I salute you! Best wishes Liz >
Walking for Fun, Challenge and Charity! 
I like those barefoot shoes for evening use only – look like they’d be good on a stony beach!
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Amazing Nick, you are so persistent, what an example you are. I may see Rachel on Friday afternoon and will give her an envelope With a small contribution to Parkinsons uk. What extraordinary energy you have! I salute you! Best wishes Liz >
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