A nice quiet stroll with the dogs Poppy and Pippa to East Carlton Park the nice tree filled park opposite The Red Lion Pub Middleton where My Daughter and Son-in-law are the Land Lady and Land Lord. The foal was born earlier this year and looks less gangly now.

This is one of the scenes that greet you when cycling down the bye road after leaving the busy Thrapston to Oundle A605 . It is Barnwell Mill pond before or after the Locks Taking you up to Thrapston or down to Oundle if you are on any kind of water craft. Beyond the trees you see here is Barnwell Country Park, a lovely spot to meander by the River Nene and or picnic, there is also a play area for the kids. The Nene is a much deeper River than our local Welland and as you can see has some pretty scenery.

A bit of a reminder of what could happen if you stepped out of line in the "The Good Olde days"the socks could await you. These are the ones on the green in Greton in Northamptonshire. I made a feeble joke on Facebook what does this picture represent in a shop? "Bicycle Stocks" of course----weak laughter. No, more like groan, mind you making a joke like that they might find a use for them even today, somebody might have a key to the padlock.

This is the war memorial to the fallen in the first world war of the small village of Gretton in Northamptonshire. On the narrow slates across the memorial are One Hundred names of men and boys, I think the real horror of it all would come if the dates of their deaths were to be known, also the relation to each other for I am sure there will be at least one father and son there. On the plinth part there are the names lost during the second world war,they amount to six.

At the cross roads and yes I took the wrong turning and added five or six miles to my journey, but on such a nice day I saw parts of the country I might never have seen. Sore on the legs though, but every mistake has its penalties unless of course you are a banker or a politician then you are rewarded.

I know it is on it's side but can a certain Kirstin remember seeing this Pack bridge in dim lighting the last time she was in England? The village is Medbourne and I don't even think it is twinned with Melbourne.

Not Wookey-- Spooky

This is the long tunnel which you go through from the Market Harborough side heading for Brixworth it is quite long and very dark, that little white spot in the middle there is the far end. Now I only had a wind up torch so I had to walk through the tunnel, no problem, so I thought, and off I went. Nearly 3/4 way through and a bit tired of winding up the torch I decided to walk towards the light. As I was walking though, I had the strangest feeling something had peeled itself off the wall of the tunnel, and was gliding along beside me. No, I did not stick my hand out to see if I was right and if I was still alone, I kept walking, eyes firmly set on the Light at the end of the Tunnel. Going back the way the torch remained firmly wound up and me, whistling a merry marching tune, my hair if I had any would have staunchly upright,of that I am sure.

From this to that in 50 years how time flies. The pose was a carry on with Granddaughter Bronte. The upside down photo? for my mates in Australia(just kidding) have to find a way to get it upright. I did not know it then but baldness was only 6 years away.

Mourn Mountains

This is the view I had while contemplating my navel on the side of Lough Neigh, over the water is the Mourn Moutains. I was told if you can see them this clear it means you are going to have rain from the south. We did

Lough Neigh

Fisherman's boat put into the side of an inlet off Lough Neigh Northern Ireland. This fisherman does not go far for there is no motor in the boat and not even a seat just a beer crate to sit on.

Thrapston bridge

This tranquil scene was taken off the bridge crossing the river Nene at Thrapston in Northamptonshire. I was cycling here to meet the Kettering CTC members for a very English elevenses. In a car you cannot see this for you are controlled by traffic lights no time to "Stand and stare" Yes there are fish in the river I stood and watched them swim around beneath me. At the side of the bridge was also a swans nest with the old girl on the eggs and the Pen snoring at the side, some sentry he made.
There are old quarries out towards Oundle now filled with water which I will have to visit. On the list they must go. After this I cycled home down the very busy road to Stanion and Corby and glad I was when I eventually got off it.

Bringhirst Church sitting on an island hill in the middle of our part of the Welland Valley. Was this island created in the "Ice Age"by the movements of the ice being pushed towards what is now "The Wash"? In olden times there would have been a brazier atop of the tower to guide travellers through the murky nights or even worshippers on say Christmas eve for Midnight Mass or the "Easter Vidual." One church at Weldon has recreated a modern version of the beacon, by installing a miniature lighthouse on top of their tower. This I have not seen lit(another task to add to "the to do"list. Behind Bringhirst Church at the road junction can be sat under a Chestnut Tree planted in remembrance of the fallen of the "Great War." The idea I think was to give joy to future generations of children by providing them with chestnuts to play "Conkers",there is a school nearby, and maybe cause them to think and thank their ancestors for their sacrifices. Does it work? Do children play "Conkers", only with protective glasses on and gauntlets and maybe even body armour, maybe we have not got that far "YET"it will come I'm sure.

Where are we?

Here we are under a spreading -------- Tree. We are in the Village of "Walgrave" in the county of Northamptonshire and I am not sure but I think I read somewhere that it was from here George Washington's family moved to America.
The Thursday club lunched here at the local pub, good grub it looked too, but I had my usual Ham egg and chips(not thro' choice) but even there the chips were coated, so I could not eat them.
The church is a must to view next time and verify the Washington connection, strangely enough I have not taken a photo of it.
Wrist slapping is in order.

Church in the Water

What is left of the village the half sunken church. A strange affair when you look at it. Is it a church or a mausoleum? It is very unlike any of the churches round about. The church is now a museum which I have not visited and must now be put on the "To-do" list. The reservoir when being constructed was put down by knowledgeable people as a "White Elephant"it would never be used. How wrong they were it functions as a water supplier a pleasure area for water pastimes and exercise area for people of my bent cycling. Weekends the paths are full of us, singles, couples and family groups all enjoying the fresh air and sore bums. I should not have said that should I? Maybe true but most of us go back for more. There is now a pipeline being laid to take water from here down to Milton Keynes. Some "White Elephant"

Rutland Water

When we came to this reservoir first this Odalisque had just been installed and was shiny copper coloured. It dazzled you with its brightness.I managed to take a picture of the setting sun in the middle of the hole.
On the longest day maybe the sun will make an appearance in the middle of the hole, eat your heart out "Stonehenge" maybe not.
It must be a good windbreak judging by the people picnicking there. The "Water" itself is a great attraction with windsurfers, yachting fishing cycling rambling it brings people from all over the country and me from Corby!

Cycling mad

On the hottest day yet where was I? Cycling out to Rutland water the hard way, there is no easy way it is all uphill, and when you are cycling back? It is all uphill as well. We really do forget the hills we have free wheeled down,
This is the dam wrongly named somewhere as the one used by "The Dam Busters" to practice on. The real one was the Eyebrook Reservoir about five mile away, and built before WWII, this one dates to the 60's?
Having arrived here I took a little run round from one side to the other, but not all the way round. Another day and a bit more fitter and it will be yes. Found myself a cup of tea but no food being a Coeliac is a bit of a bind, chips is usually my staple diet on a day out. Gluten is the problem all them lovely cakes are more or less poison to me. No chips were to be had at the cafe on a day as hot as it was, no wonder, there would not have been any demand for them. Found some chips elsewhere.