Jurassic Way, in short walks: Jurassic Way 8. West Haddon onwardsI

Well, finally I felt fit enough, after annoyingly having a slipped disc, to venture out again. I definitely felt the lack of proper walks - we managed about 8.6 miles and that was quite enough for me. It was great to see some new faces today and lovely to have our delightful four-footed "member," Angel along. The Pytchley Inn, named after the local hunt, at West Haddon, was our starting point - where sun cream was applied and coats left in the cars. We found a small lane at the back of the church and headed out behind a new estate to go under the re-routed A428.

We soon reached the charming, hidden hamlet of Winwick where the cottage that I saw being re-thatched on my pre-walk was looking very splendid. Winwick Hall has an interesting wall around it as it bends its way around the edge of the estate.

Winwick

A working pumo with dog bowl.

Angel tries it out.

Stile with boot washing bowl - or a man trap for those who don't look where they are stepping!

From here we were straight into fields and heading up to Honey Hill, following the signs and chatting. The chatting took over and I managed to miss the sign discretely hidden in the overgrown hedgerow - although I did wonder why someone had tied a small scarf to a post! If only I had realised that this marked the turning of the Jurassic Way from the byway, which we inadvertently continued to follow. I had pre-walked but back in March and was too confident of the route ! Sorry!!

Look VERY carefully and you can see the Jurassic Way sign!

I did wonder what the scarf was about!

So, the route was changed, with a much longer road section than originally planned.

We still reached our lunchtime destination of Honey Hill, sitting on a bank by the stone marking the official opening of the trail. the views from here were interesting - mostly countryside but interspersed with the A14 and several wind farms.

Retirement present from Headlands parents, staff and children - swanky carbon poles.

We retraced our steps to pick up the other end of the section of path that we should have walked along earlier. Annoying as I intended to complete the official route all in the same direction! I now need to adapt the next ones to include the section from our lunch stop!