We started from Irchester (Woodlands Road) and took a footpath between two houses, which led us over fields, across the B569 and to Wollaston. We emerged into Wollaston near the Scott Bader factory, and some houses, including one with several chickens in the garden.
We walked through Wollaston, past the church which was slightly to the right of our route, and spotted an attractive walled park, once part of the manor house. The seats were tempting, but it was far too early for a break, so we carried on and crossed the A509. We followed the road towards Great Doddington, turning right after a third of a mile or so. Our path turned slightly to the left (north-west), and we took a path between two lakes, and along a track towards Doddington Crossing and the Mill where several narrowboats were moored.
At this point we joined the Nene Way, and followed it along the river into Wellingborough. This was part of my route on August 5th, on a fine hot day!
Wellingborough Embankment - just right for a stop. Thank you for the scones, Maureen!
After a break we carried on along the riverside.(I did a bit of this accidentally on August 16th) Loads of swans, ducks and gulls hang out there. There were a lot of horses grazing. Most of them had manes and tails covered in burrs, like this poor fellow.
When the mainline viaduct came into view we started to make our way towards Chester house.
At this point we joined the Nene Way again (see my walk on Tuesday 16 August).
We walked around to the right of the house to investigate the site of a walled Roman town. We saw part of it, but there may have been more.
Behind Chester House, which is being restored, repaired or rebuilt, is the remains of a walled kitchen garden with conservatory and fruit trees - just out of our reach!
We had to cross the A45. It has a central reservation and path, so is possible with care. Then we took Chester Road, past Townend Farm into Irchester, passing Lower Farm, and a cottage called Cwmnene. We made a small detour to look at the info board in St Katharine's Walk, and to seek out the (very small) Catherine Wheel which is part of the weathervane. Ha ha - wrong lens again ;-)
I like the banded stone effect. The spire is the tallest in the county.
A short walk took us back to the start of the walk.
I was pleased to have walked along part of the Nene I hadn't covered before.
October : Update about Chester Farm site - they may open a heritage centrefor the Roman site.
You are probably getting tired of seeing reflections of the sky in the water, but I just can't help myself! I am captivated by them... a narrow view between the trees.
Even with the sunshine, there occasionally were a few scattered showers.
I took several shots of the pavement but it just doesn't show what it was really like. See those yellow flags alongside the road? Those indicate dips in the highway. So while you are jostled from side to side with the uneven pavement, when you reach the dips you are also bouncing up and down. Throw in a few potholes and several really bad sections for a challenging ride! I was so happy to get through it unscathed.
The view from my campsite, looking south. Gorgeous. Forty-six miles long, Lake Kluane is the largest lake in Yukon Territory and the highway follows it on the west side for about half of its length.
A closeup of the mountains on the south side of the lake.
From the bridge on the west side of the south end. This is actually a river that feeds the glacial water into the lake.
Looking east. A narrow peninsula juts out from the western side of the lake.
The highway is at the base of that mountain, following the shoreline. Ten miles north of that point is the Cottonwood Campground.
Angels Landing from the beginning of the West Rim Trail. Scout's Lookout is in the foreground (that flat, sandy area). The trail ascends that small peak on its west side then climbs up the ridge of the second peak.
A full view of the east side of Angels Landing showing the 1200 foot sheer drop to the Virgin River flowing through the valley below.
I followed the West Rim Trail for about an hour when it took a decided turn towards the North. I looked behind me and saw an unmarked trail through the sand leading to a section of slick rock. Venturing off the trail I followed the slick rock to it's end, about half an hour or so. (Photo was taken on my way back, hence the change in lighting.)
There below me was the scene I was seeking. Walter's Wiggles and Angels Landing. I spent several hours just sitting there at the edge, looking down. It was a wonderful spot to have lunch!
By mid-afternoon, the sun had almost disappeared, clouds had moved in and the wind had picked up considerably. Reluctantly, I left my perch on the side of the canyon.
Walter's Wiggles from the first vantage point.
And from the second viewpoint.
