Starting in wet and very windy conditions from the big layby on the Little Harrowden – Sywell road seventeen of us braved the driving rain. Taking the bridleway opposite the layby we walked downhill to a stream where we turned left on to a track following the stream. We soon came to a bridge where we crossed the stream and then climbed a very steep muddy bank. Here we had the first muddy mishap of the day when one of us slipped over trying to climb the bank. This set the tone for the day and we knew it was going to be a very wet and challenging walk – Having got all of us up the bank we crossed a waterlogged field into the hamlet of Hardwick. On through Hardwick and past the church we turned left across rough pasture land past a pretty pond to Hardwick Lodge where we had a coffee break. After coffee we took another bridleway north past another pond in some trees. Turning east and enjoying a sunny period we then took a footpath which went along a ridge with lovely views. Soon we met a path where we turn left through some very muddy gateways into Orlingbury where we had lunch on the green. Leaving Orlingbury by Rectory Lane we walked downhill past Lammas Spinney to a stream where we had another muddy mishap – Crossing the stream we climbed up hill past Little Harrowden Primary School into Little Harrowden. At the road we turned right and walked through the village across the roundabout to a footpath on the right – The footpath was remarkably dry as we headed across a very large field. At the bridleway we turned left and walked back to the cars. The walk ended in the sun with all of us covered in mud. Despite the rain and the mud we all agreed it had been a lovely walk with great views of the Northamptonshire countryside.

12 walkers set off from Duck Street three of them doing a shorter walk.  From the carpark we walked to the start of the Greenway near Asda. Soon taking the right towards Washbrook Road and Spencer Park and then along the Hayway to the Northampton Road. Here we turned left and walked to the footbridge over the A45 into Rushden Lakes.  On past the shops on the right to the Lake wre we walked on the Broadwalk and around the lake back to the shops.  We then retraced our steps back over the bridge and walked past Waitrose and then on The Greenway viewing some very interesting pictures on the corrugated tunnel along the way.  We kept on The Greenway until we reached Rushden Town and then retraced our steps back to Duck Street Carpark. The weather kept fine and there was no rain and the temperature was warm for this time of the year. 

20 of us started from the Playing Field in the lovely village of Elstow – The day was bright and breezy but rain was forecast later in the day – We soon walked over the A421 bridge and turned on to the John Bunyan Way. We walked for 2½ miles on the track past Medbury Farm and Medbury Cottages – At the end of the track we met a road beside some cottages – We stopped here for a welcome break and some coffee. After coffee we turned right onto the road and then after a few step left on to an access road to Manor Farm – Just before the farm we took a footpath on the right which went across a series of muddy fields and tracks for 1¼ miles into Wilstead – Here we met the main road through Wilstead and turn right to The Woolpack Pub where we stopped for Lunch. After lunch we continued north through the village. At Duck End Lane we turn into the lane and walked past a farm into open countryside. The road became a track which went between some large fields to a junction in paths – Turning left the footpath went across a remarkably dry field and went on to a field where we went diagonally across back to the track at Medbury Farm. We then as the rain began to fall we retraced our steps back past the farm and then on into Elstow. The timing was perfect. We all agreed it had been a lovely walk.

On a dry frosty morning 11 walkers set off to walk around Higham Ferrers.  It was a pleasure to walk on such a lovely day in January. The walk started down Kings Meadow Lane heading towards the bypass.  Just before the road bridge we took the path to the left and followed the river along until reaching a bend to the left into the housing estate.  Continuing up Linden Avenue, Meadow Drive to Vine Hill Close to take the footpath down to Higham Wharf.  Then we walked up Wharf Road until the first road on the right which took us through the houses to a small lake.  Following the lake round and then heading down Donne Close to reach Northampton Road.  Then heading towards the Tollbar and the Greenway.  Along the Greenway we passed the Ferrers School and came off by the Library.  Then up the alley by the church to enjoy a snack in Coffee Barn on the Market Square and to be joined by 2 more walkers.

The tortoise group met up for the first exertions of the new year in a futile attempt to burn up the excess calorie intake from Christmas and New Year. The weather was relatively good for the middle of winter with the only downside being some overnight rain which had made the going a bit stickier than on earlier reconnaissance. It was cloudy at the start but the sun eventually broke through as we headed back to the village.

The route was roughly a square starting (and finishing) at the Fox and Hounds in the village. We start by walking along the main street through Riseley (heading NE) and we noticed an abundance of very old character houses – timbered / wattle and daub. Some of the group were given a brief history of one the houses, going back some 500 years. At the end of the village just past the school we turned left at an attractive Lodge and walked up an old concrete track and through woods now used for pheasant shoots. At the end of the track (between Lady Wood and Coppice Wood we started to head south west towards Warleys Wood. The ground here was soft but generally manageable. We could see Melchbourne House to the north and the sun was now making an appearance.

As we approached Warleys Wood the path divided and the leader opted for the right hand option. However, this was the wrong call as the track this side turned out to be somewhat boggier than the left hand path. Naturally the two paths re-joined and so the leader had to offer his apologies to the group for taking the wrong path.

We had now reached the halfway point and opted for a break in the shelter of the Woods. A quick check was needed to see if the path through the woods was accessible. It was but it needed careful navigation around some muddy puddles before reaching the firm track. We were then heading towards Harings Farm where we turned to the South East – back towards Riseley.

Much of this part of the route is on farm tracks however, at one point some of the walkers were informed that the track was private property and that the footpath was on the adjacent grass verge. Naturally, we obliged as we did not wish to offend the (petty) locals.

We finished the walk back at the Fox and Hounds with estimates of the distance covered varying from 4.2 to 4.7 miles. The pub then provided us with excellent refreshments and would be an ideal starting point for other walks in the area.