Our route winds down from the pretty churchyard in Grendon scything a path through fields of indeterminate origin. Gosh the oil seed rape appears early this year. Ignoring the cloying stench from the unnaturally vivid yellow flowers, we cut a path past exuberant bouncing lambs rushing and bleating to find their mothers, to Summer Leys. The track from here to Great Doddington along an old railway line, is reminiscent of an old Roman road, stretching into the distance in a perfectly straight line.

Crossing the river we climb the hill to the High Street. The architectural styles of the houses overlooking the valley are so varied but all benefit from fabulous views.

We are soon admiring Hardwater Mill, squeezing into tiny gaps on the bridge to avoid being flattened by the traffic. Rejoining the banks of the Nene we head for White Mills Marina. This is a real favourite, especially if like today you can bag a seat on the deck in the sunshine.

Our next stop, Whiston church back up the other side of the valley is a fabulous little church. No electric lighting it has candles everywhere. Evening services and concerts must be very special in the candlelight. On the final stretch now off road along the shore of The Basin, Scotland Pond and Grendon Quarter Pond. It is a real bonus that a footpath has been cut through the woods by these lovely little fishing lakes.

Just under 11 miles completed today. I’d highly recommend this walk. Give it a try.

Just over 16 miles today from Hanslope. We started off with wooly hats and gloves and gradually peeled off the layers as the day warmed up. We had a good view of the deer on Wakefield Estate in the morning followed by lunch at the White Swan in Old Stratford. The afternoon took us over the Iron Trunk aqueduct and past the old steam train water tower near Castlethorpe.

Descending from the trig point high above the reservoir we run into closure notices, steel fences and a Seven Trent workman in Hi viz

“Path not open again until Good Friday mate” Fabulous! We had just finished coffee, enormous scones and delicious oat biscuits in the Visitor Centre before continuing a circumnavigation of Draycote Water. No prior warning that our carefully planned route would be thrown akimbo. Nothing for it but to consult the map and put into place Plan B.

Friday’s walk pounding the cracked pavements of Northampton was punctuated by sorties along its green lungs. Spectacle Lane, the beautiful old churchyard off Boughton Green, extensive Bradlaugh Fields, The iconic Racecourse, and surprising Moulton Park. An experience enhanced through stories of follies, ghosts, public hangings and supermarket acquisitions. It is always eye opening to walk through a landscape with someone with local knowledge.

First leg of the d'Arcy Dalton Way, walking between our drop off point on the Ridgeway National Trail and Eaton Hastings church (13.2m).

On occasions you have to test the wet weather gear don’t you?! Today was one of those days. Raining torrents as we drove to Litchborough we wondered if anyone else would turn up. The first couple of hours, epically soggy. Water poured from the heavens, our only shelter the dry sanctuary of a church. Rain gurgled off the land wherever it could find a channel or depression. Ponds and pools of water around every stile and farm gate. Water trying to invade waterproof socks, trickling down the sleeves of jackets. Water blown by the wind splattered on glasses obscuring the map on the iPhone.

Our reward, a roaring log burner, strong flat whites and a bacon sandwich at our coffee stop and eventual glimpses of a watery sun as the morning progressed and of course the satisfaction of completing just under 12 miles on a very blustery day.

Westbury village hall is an excellent place to start a walk. Tea, coffee, cake, a shop and loos combine with copious parking to provide a hassle free start. Unfortunately we are soon frustrated by HS2 works west of the village that gouge an artificial gorge through the landscape preventing our safe progress. Retracing muddy footsteps we re-route for Turweston Airfield. A strange experience as we traipse across concrete runways and weave our way through parked aircraft to find the aptly named Flight Deck Cafe. Flat Whites consumed, we take off for Biddlesden through charming parkland via a romantic ramshackle, tumbledown, cottage that appears once had a telephone connection but no other utilities.

After a foggy, frosty start it turned into a lovely day, but very, very muddy and wet underfoot

An excellent walk led by Chris with a pub stop in the very welcoming White Swan in Holcot.

10.5 miles from Kings Cliffe through woods to Southwick via Apethorpe. The Southwick Shuckburgh Arms did us proud opening early to provide bacon sandwiches, coffee and cake.

Sun shining, blossom billowing, delicate pinks and polar whites, offset the sticky, gloopy mud and copious flood water from the biblical overnight rain still trying to drown pasture and forest floor.