It’s been so long since I wrote one of my ‘Sunday Drive’ posts (May in fact) that I’d forgotten I was actually writing them! So I thought it was high time I resurrected the series – the idea being that they give me an outlet to share some of our shorter adventures.
As it was the 1st of September and the official first day of Autumn, last Sunday saw us marking the occasion – not by going for a drive, but for a lovely walk around the village of Brinklow and the rolling Warwickshire countryside.
At only six miles, This relatively short walk is one of my favourites – it feels like a real adventure. Starting off in the magnificent earthworks of the Norman Brinkow Castle, it takes you along quiet country lanes, along canals, across fields, over and under a railway and through a Culvert and ending, as you might have guessed, in a rather nice little pub. Tt really feels as though you’ve been on a journey!
Starting off in style, the walk begins by crossing the castle earthworks and around the massive mound of Brinklow castle. Built sometime in the 11th century after the Norman invasion – this is a proper Motte and Bailey castle! Down a quiet backroad – I wonder how many people cross this bridge without even noticing it or wondering what lies beneath… …which is this – The Oxford Canal (just under the bridge) – the pathway to adventure! The first mile or so of the canal and towpath are through a very wooded area… …which then opens out into lovely fields. Eventually we reach bridge number 37. Next we have to go under and then up and over to get to some fields to our left. Nathan trail-blazing the way across the fields (we were following a footpath – honest!) towards the first railway crossing. The first railway crossing.On the homeward leg – this is my favourite view/stage of the whole walk – you can see the path ahead of us, it’s the green line that passed to the right of those trees. I do REALLY like this part of the walk! The way through the woods – After coming down from that view, the walk weaves in and out of a lovely little woodlandCrossing more fields – back towards the train track……which this time we pass under! And after a few more fields we head through a Culvert that passes UNDER the Canal! Almost there – the last bridge back into the village! After-walk drinks – no wine for once – guess which one’s mine! (clue – I didn’t end up with a blue tongue!)
Once we got back to Ratty and deposited the kiddies in it, Alli and I went for another quick mooch around the castle before it got dark.
The impressive castle earthworks – although no picture I took did them justice. Brinklow is quite interesting in that it had two baileys rather than the usual one. The extra defences probably say a lot about the local populace – scallywags!
Farewell my Friends!
P.S – If you fancy doing following in our footsteps, get yourself a copy of this book – it’s walk number 3.
That’s a lovely stroll. I liked how you got to go through the culvert and was wondering if it had a footpath on the side, or if you had to put on your galoshes and get wet! Looks like you were able to get through on a small elevated platform. Thanks for taking us along through the countryside. I’ll take an orange juice, please.
Wonderful photos. If I were ever to visit the UK again the places that you and Alli walk are the ones that I would want to see rather than the big cities. Next best thing to having a TARDIS.
Another beautifully photographed walk. 16 years ago I walked from Henley to Newark including a stretch of that canal. Your header picture is quite superb
I did, although I was concentrating on managing the often rough terrain. Walking alongside my son in his rowing boat the trip took eleven days – over 200 miles
He had collected the boat in preparation for the Atlantic Row he was to do the following year as a fundraiser for Cancer research. His mother was dying from myeloma. https://derrickjknight.com/2018/03/22/the-big-sea/
(Just had to google Sam Knight) that is an amazing achievement by your Son – right up there in the traditions of Don Allum. Kind of puts driving around in a car to shame somewhat. I’ll tell my Daughter about it – she’s learning to sail and aims to be a Maritime Historian.
Hi – enjoyed this post the other day and came while logged in to comment
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and the lines in the photo of the first railway crossing are cool – that photo is my fav here for the way the lines feel – and the history adds to it – but it is the elements
and the last foot bridge – what a cool bridge and nice way to lead us up to the beverages…
A really great walk – one of the best. 🙂
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It is isn’t it – it really does pack a lot into such a short distance!
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More like that, I think. 🙂
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😀
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That’s a lovely stroll. I liked how you got to go through the culvert and was wondering if it had a footpath on the side, or if you had to put on your galoshes and get wet! Looks like you were able to get through on a small elevated platform. Thanks for taking us along through the countryside. I’ll take an orange juice, please.
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Lol! Yes thankfully there is a raised path over the stream!
Glad you like the walk – next time I’ll save you and Orange Juice (and Lemonade) 😀
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Wonderful photos. If I were ever to visit the UK again the places that you and Alli walk are the ones that I would want to see rather than the big cities. Next best thing to having a TARDIS.
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Thank you, I’m really glad you enjoy them that much! We do try to find the nice quiet places as much as possible!
Alli says if you do visit, let us know and we’ll buy you a glass of mead!
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That would be lovely. I’ll go buy a lottery ticket. 🙂
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😀 Buy one for us too!
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That looked like a smashing day out. Love the photos Stuart – especially that last one 🙂
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Thanks Malc – I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😀 It is indeed a really nice walk and well worth doing – especially in nice weather.
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Another beautifully photographed walk. 16 years ago I walked from Henley to Newark including a stretch of that canal. Your header picture is quite superb
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Thank you very Derrick – I’m glad you liked it.
That sounds like a great walk and good distance. Interesting that you’ve walked along this canal too – did you like the area?
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I did, although I was concentrating on managing the often rough terrain. Walking alongside my son in his rowing boat the trip took eleven days – over 200 miles
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WOW! that’s really cool – what did he do that for, was it a charity thing or a personal challenge?
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He had collected the boat in preparation for the Atlantic Row he was to do the following year as a fundraiser for Cancer research. His mother was dying from myeloma. https://derrickjknight.com/2018/03/22/the-big-sea/
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(Just had to google Sam Knight) that is an amazing achievement by your Son – right up there in the traditions of Don Allum. Kind of puts driving around in a car to shame somewhat. I’ll tell my Daughter about it – she’s learning to sail and aims to be a Maritime Historian.
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🙂
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Looks like a great walk!
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Hi – enjoyed this post the other day and came while logged in to comment
–
and the lines in the photo of the first railway crossing are cool – that photo is my fav here for the way the lines feel – and the history adds to it – but it is the elements
and the last foot bridge – what a cool bridge and nice way to lead us up to the beverages…
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Thanks! I’m glad you picked up in that – I did like the lines in that photo myself 😀
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:0)
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[…] the way back from our Brinklow Castle walk last Sunday, the sky turned the most amazing colour – so we pulled Ratty over to take a few […]
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