December



Exit Oxenden tunnel





Fieldfare



The recent snow lured me away from warm living room to take some photos. Fieldfare and Redwing are now in great flocks in the scurry from tree to tree. Kestrels also hover above from time to time. A walk through Oxendon tunnel as always is a dark unforgiving place but can produce a nice frame to the outside.

November 25

 The chance of a walk along the Brampton Valley Way before going to pack more boxes before I move house was a just reward. Lucky for me Iam moving closer to my favourite walk which means more time out there. The Blog is now a year old, I contemplated bringing it to an end as I think I just about covered it all but no I will carry on and on.

Keep smiling....

C.B 0 Field fare 1

After a few lovely days in the Cotswold's walking and relaxing in a hot tub. Myself and the gorgeous Mrs B made our merry way back to the homestead. But within a couple of hours I decided to go walkabout in search of the elusive field fare. Nowhere were they to be seen so it was C.B 0. Field fare 1 but I had a chance to take this photo of the A frame with the sunset in the back ground not as dramatic as before but quite pleasing all the same but remember Field fare my time will come.........

What a day

What a day...
Waking up early to try and catch Jack Frost doing his rounds was hard to resist but there was not really alot of it about. I wasn't disappointed with fact Jack was gone as the Field fare was back flocking together in the perfect blue sky. In the bushes Longtail Tits and Bullfinch darted above me not staying in one place long enough for a shot.
Above Oxendon tunnel I met Pat with her dog taking photos of the landscape. Pat also has a blog and a passion for the perfect shot, I look forward to meeting up again and exchanging views.

Richards dog after a swim in the lake

Above Oxenden tunnel

A jogger pounding the way

Trees reflection in a puddle

Bird in a bush

My next stop was to Waterloo leisure tea rooms to meet Richard the owner. I met Richard a week earlier, he asked my views on wildlife trail he wants to introduce to his site. After a cup of coffee Richard showed me around. Ideas for bird hides, feeders, nest box's and guides to what to look for using my photos were gratefully received.

Monday morning feeling



Mushroom on the way



I took the chance booking the day off work a few weeks ago. Thankfully there was clear skies above and abundance of things to see. Blue tits and Long tail tits still proved to be allusive but could be clearly heard in the hedgerows. A buzzard and Kestrel on the wing were a welcome sight also along the way while chatting to ladies out birdwatching. We discussed what we had seen such as a Heron in a nearby field we thought possibly looking for worms as was the Buzzard. In the woods close to Waterloo farm mushrooms protruded from there leafy hideaway around the tree roots. The woods would make a good wildlife nature trail with a bird hide as suggested to the landowner this morning.

It's Sloe time soon again I  look forward to producing more this year. I plan to make a label this time and call it Sloe Walkers Gin.



Sloe Walkers gin coming soon




Mushrooms in the woods




Starting to see the birds better now the leaves are starting to fall





Geese on Waterloo lakes




Oxeye Daisy's still around




mushrooms not sure what kind yet.




Nice to see a Buzzard on the wing





Old beans left in the field.



Saint Helen's church Great Oxendon and Rev John Morton

Recently I come across a map of the Brampton Valley Way courtesy of Northampton Council. The map shows places of interest and this is why I came to Saint Helen's church.

Headstone of Rev John Morton and his Wife Elizabeth.

The Rev John Morton 1670/1 -1726 is buried in this graveyard. rev Morton was an English theologian & naturalist, educated at Cambridge University. He was a clergyman in the Anglican Church, becoming Curate of Great Oxendon then later the Rector of this fine church and parish . He is also author of The Natural History Of Northamptonshire published in 1712. This is his only publication and in 1703 he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.

Saint Helen's Church Great Oxendon

View of Market Harborough from St Helen's

Whats above Great Oxenden Tunnel

I decided to go above ground for a change. This photo is of the air shaft of the tunnel standing approx 15-20ft made of engineering bricks as is the whole tunnel to withstand the huge pressure from the above ground. which despite being partially obstructed by shrubbery it can be seen from the A508 that passes through the village.
This photo is taken to the left of the shaft of Great Oxendon its self. I plan to visit the village soon as I would like to increase my knowledge of the area around the Brampton Valley Way.

Whats above Great Oxenden Tunnel

A recent walk above Great Oxenden tunnel I found three different kinds of mushroom. One I have yet to identify......

A Blackening Wax Cap.. I think but I am open to ideas

Giant Parasol. They are huge if you can imaging a dinner plate thats how huge they are...

A track that runs above great Oxenden tunnel that leads to the field where I found the mushrooms.

A view from the top with Market Harborough in the distance this is where I found the mushrooms...

I walk the Brampton Valley line_0001.wmv

More views of the Brampton Valley way

The Manor seat looks impressive

An air display

A view from one of many bridges this one you can see Artingworth village.

Are we there yet? Erm No. A really nice design for the sustrans route 6.

Reaching the end of the line

Old railway carriage at the Northampton and Lamport railway. Well worth a visit they have there own web page just click on the link for news, history and upcoming events
www.nlr.org.uk

Old British railways sign on a carriage

Steam saddle tank loco

Diesel loco under wraps

Pitsford and Brampton signal box and brake carriage

Just reward..
A pint of Guinness at Brampton Halt.

I must do this again soon. I hope this has given people an insight to the Brampton Valley Way. I plan to add more photos soon. So don't worry it's not the end of the line for the blog but just the beginning.

C.B

Intial Bridge

A bit of poetic licences is involved here but I call this bridge Initial Bridge because I can make my Initials C.B from it.

What remains

It is amazing as to what remains of the old railway line. The old cast iron foot bridge still stands proud but forlorn without the planks for its walkway.

Droughton crossing keepers cottage and garden still in use today...