Date of walk : 24/05/20
Clarity of route description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good
I think some of the previous comments were a little harsh! The descriptions for the route are rather brief and looking at them retrospectively, lacking a little detail...but I have to say ‘retrospectively‘ because I walked the route using the map alone.
The first third of the walk is very straightforward, mostly on a metalled bridleway and then on very well waymarked paths and the woods at CP3 were a welcome relief out of the blazing sun for a few minutes. A nice countryside amble with some lovely views.
The second third is where the problems were! Once over the road and at CP4 the path fizzled out thanks to the plow. I’ve checked with the footpaths officer for my area before, who said that farmers can plow footpaths, provided they are waymarked...this one is not! The first bit, to the woodland is an obvious guess and once at the other side of the wood, the next waymarker can finally be seen.
From here, things were a bit of a mix. Some fields have had a herbicide sprayed along the line of the path, making it perfectly clear where to go...”follow the yellow dead path” I thought to myself, paraphrasing the Wizard of Oz! But when getting to field boundaries, the stiles were untreated and overgrown, making it difficult to battle through...especially when wearing shorts and trying to avoid getting stung! The path down into the valley was also getting difficult to follow, due to summer growth and a lack of feet passing through.
Eventually we approached CP5 where I came across a dodgy looking stile, a few hundred metres before the checkpoint. There was no option but to go for it, but I wish I hadn’t stood on the downward side! As I stepped down the whole thing collapsed and twisted, but I fortunately managed to keep hold of the upright post and save myself falling backward...although I twisted my hip quite badly and a spike of wire trapped my shoe and as I stepped down, so I nearly fell backward a second time.
At CP5 there’s another stile to the left, where there’s a deep gulley that had a little stream, so time for the dog to have a paddle and cool down a bit.
Heading up to Laxton the paths were again, a mix. Some nice and clear, some none existent! I have a GPS walking app that keeps me on the path, which was essential when walking across a freshly mown hay field with no idea where the path was, as the farmer staring at me from his tractor while turning the hay.
At the top of the path at Laxton everything just seemed to fizzle out...no waymarkers, no footprints, no gaps in hedges...nothing! I found myself in a cow field and thought there was a gap in one corner, so headed for the gap only to find it was just 2 posts close together. The cows had blocked me and the dog in the field so I headed for the gate instead...a few loud shouts at the cows kept them at bay.
Once through the gate it was a quiet walk through the lovely village and another break at the bench near the church,..we’re still in COVID lockdown, so sadly no pub visit...would have killed for a pint on this hot afternoon!
The final third was very straightforward...down the road, take the right fork then the bridleway on the right. I few hundred metres up the bridleway a fox cub came out of the woods and stood on the path staring at me for a few seconds, before diving back into the undergrowth. A short stretch of woods then back onto well marked pastoral paths up to CP9.
Some lovely views here and an oddly placed information board about the field system in the area. Turn left and head for Kneesall for the final drag on a quiet, well trodden track.
If the paths and stiles were all in good condition and well kept this would be a cracking walk...and an open pub would help. Some stunning views, lovely villages, quiet paths...only thing missing was proper water for the dog to have a swim.
Thanks to the creator for posting.
