Rotary Walk

Rotary Walk

Thursday 18 January 2018

Leave from the “Fox & Hounds”

Harlestone Rd, Lower Harlestone

Northampton NN7 4EW

01604 821251

Meet at the Fox & Hounds at 10.30am for 10.45/11am departure and return approx 12.30pm.  Walk is about 2 miles only, but we can extend it a bit, if needed.  Easy walking, no stiles!

David Harrop

ROTARY WALK

Thursday, 18th January 2018

A near record attendance of members, partners and friends for a January walk turned up at the Fox and Hounds pub at Lower Harlestone after a really windy night and we were all wondering what sort of weather to expect.  The Gods were looking after us and it was a cold but gloriously sunny morning as fourteen of us set forth in good spirits having pre-ordered our lunches in front of a blazing fire in the bar.  One amongst our number was very tempted to stay by the fire but I was dissuaded and followed at the rear.

Although a lifelong Northamptonian the warren of country roads linking Lower and Upper Harlestone and Nobottle have always been a total mystery to me but even more so were the glorious footpaths that David Harrop led us through as we passed by farm buildings, neat thatched houses, wooded area and fields with old stone workings and sheep doing what sheep seem to do.  Actually we were doing the same, following our leader knowing not whither we were going!!

The great bonus of our walk was a wonderful coffee/tea stop at Lesley and David’s house when we were able to sit outside in the sunshine and enjoy their kind hospitality which was greatly appreciated by us all.  Lesley then joined us on the return walk and was rewarded later by Kevin presenting our special trophy to her this month for services beyond the call of duty.

The final stage of the walk back to the pub became interesting as two very large trees had blown down overnight in the wood but as you might imagine food and drink were in prospect and so absolutely nothing was going to stand in our way. Ditches, wire fences, barbed wire and wayward branches were navigated without serious injury though negotiating the barbed wire at a very strategic height did cause us to pause and reflect on the possible peril which might ensue.

We forgave our organiser for missing out these hazards from his ‘Elf and Safety’ warnings and were most grateful to him and Dorothy for what had turned out to be a great morning followed by a very convivial lunch when were joined by even more good friends.  Some of us left at quite a late hour which is always a good sign.

Philip Saunderson