30th March
At last we choose the correct day to go for a walk. Saturday turns out to be beautiful! Today, walking Tottenhoe’s green lanes is an opportunity to leave it all behind and just enjoy the moment. We leave the lanes as we cross the A5 and we’re out onto the Bedfordshire flatlands. Here, only a couple of weeks ago, we disturbed boxing hares. No sign of them today.
We skirt Tebworth and, at Hockliffe, cross Watling Street. The northward march of Roman legions have long been replaced by an on-rushing stream of juggernauts and white vans. Getting across we take our lives in our hands…but survive!
In the fields beyond we disturb a deer. He’s also been enjoying the sun and our arrival is a rude interruption of his day. He bounds off over the horizon, leaving us once again alone in the mid-morning sun. Just beyond Stanbridge our route disappears into a thicket. Bad planning on my part but the recent arrival of the Leighton Buzzard bypass has wiped out the footpath beyond the derelict Stanbridgeford station. Instead we cross the dual carriageway by way of the footbridge and rejoin the Tottenhoe green lanes.
Bedfordshire is waking up now and the lanes are full of dog walkers and families, also enjoying the sun. Occasionally, we nod as we pass, but for the most part everyone’s just enjoying the warmth of the spring sunshine. A pleasant 11.1 mile walk in South Bedfordshire in which no one wanted to be disturbed.
Stanbridge picture gallery (more pictures on Flickr):
Distance: 11.1 miles ; Difficulty: Easy
Postcode for Satnav: LU6 1RQ
Stanbridge walk profile
Where Angells Tread! 