Blisworth and Blizzards

Having recruited Shannon to 'baby' sit the reluctant walker (Alex that is) we set off at lunchtime to walk the Yardly Gobion to Blisworth Tunnel section of the canal. It was a lovely sunny day so Chris donned his shorts, not realising that it was actually only 4 degrees.

We were not sure exactly were to park to reach the section we stopped off at last time but, after stopping twice to clear up dog sick, we finally recognised the place from last week. This section of the canal up to Stoke Bruene is beautiful with no buildings, just lovely fields and views.

It wasn't long into our walk that Chris admitted that his legs were a bit chilly - of course I was extremely sympathetic ;-) It was so cold that the canal overflow was frozen solid.

Stoke Bruene itself was reasonably busy, even for such a chilly day, and there were lots of narrow boats moored there with their wood burners chugging out smoke. We tried to persuade Neo to walk over the lock gate but he was having none of it so Chris had to walk him back to the bridge to cross over as we neared the entrance to the Blisworth Tunnel.

Blisworth Tunnel Facts
At 3,076 yards (2,813m) long it is the third-longest navigable canal tunnel on the UK canal network after Standedge Tunnel and Dudley Tunnel (and the ninth-longest canal tunnel in the world). At its deepest point it is 143ft (43m) below ground level.

Work began in 1793, but errors by contractor left a wiggle in the tunnel, and after three years work it collapsed due to quicksand, claiming the lives of 14 men. It was then decided to begin again with a new tunnel.

By the time the rest of the Grand Junction Canal had opened between London and Braunston, Northamptonshire in 1800, apart from the crossing of the River Great Ouse, the section of canal from Blisworth to the lower end of Stoke Bruerne locks was the only section unfinished. This was despite the tunnel having been under construction for seven years: the gap was filled by a temporary horse-drawn tramway over the top of the hill, with goods being transported from boat to wagon and back again. The tramway, built in 1801, was Northamptonshire's first railway. In March 1805, the tunnel was finally opened and the rails were used to connect the main line of the canal to the River Nene until the branch canal to Northampton was constructed.

There was some major rebuilding of the tunnel in the 1980s, with sections lined with pre-cast concrete rings. It was also used to test out the materials that were later used on the Channel Tunnel. One of the unused rings is on display just outside the south portal. Along the length of the tunnel there are ventilation towers built of brick.

The walk over the top of the tunnel begins with a woodland walk but soon takes you onto a mile long section of the Blisworth Road - not the best dog walking environment. They have obviously having some bizarre weather here; as we came over the hill in view of blisworth, there was a section of the road and inch deep in hail stones.

Walking back to Yardley Gobion was lovely as it was very quiet and the sun was beginning to set. It had been a hard walk as the canal path along much of this section is just boggy mud and the final section seemed much further on the way back than it did when we started.

Time walked: 4 hours
Distance walked: 11.5 miles
Blisters: 0

Mad Dogs

Pictures to follow

This weekend we decided to start our walk at Campbell Park and head on out towards Fenny Stratford. It was a bit overcast but not really cold so we packed all the waterproof gear in my pack and set off.

There are loads of houses along the canal that do not take adavantage of their lovely setting - is this because people don't actually like the canal or because they don't want nosy walkers looking in at them? There were a few houses that I would love to live in, with a nice deck outside to sit drinking tea and watching the boats go by.

We were keeping up a good pace and an hour into our walk when a huge black labrador who was playing with Neo, ran right into my leg. The dog caughts its shoulder bone just under my kneecap. It hurt so much that it actually made me cry. Chris could see it was really painful but he suggested we walk on to see if it would ease. I though we might as well as we'd still have had to walk an hour back to the car.

We carried on until we reached the outskirts of Fenny Stratfor - there's not much to say about this stretch apart from that it's covered in rubbish. It's such a shame. We reached home with my leg still really aching and a lovely black bruise brewing.


Time Walked: 2hr 40 mins
Distance Walked: 7.5 miles
Blisters: 0
Dog related injuries: 1

What a Difference a Day Makes - Sunday

Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny. Chris donned his shorts saying that as his car computer said it was 10 degrees C, it was officially shorts weather. We arranged oor walk so that Shannon was back from her friends birthday sleepover meaning that we didn't have to drag a protesting Alex with us.



We started at the Galleon Pub in Old Wolverton and headed out in Cosgrove direction. The fields are really flooded from all the snow melt and at Cosgrove caravan park, lots of the vans are sitting in water. I couldn't get any pictures of them because the trees are in the way.

It's a nice stretch of canal to walk as once you get past the Cosgrove it is pretty rural and quiet. In many places there is no actual path along the towpath, just a grass and mud verge. There were not many people about either so it was lovely and peaceful.

We walked to a bridge between Yardley Gobion and Grafton Regis which will be our starting point next time.

My legs and back were aching nearing the end on the return journey - I think I just need to build up my muscles expectation for extended walking. More trips to the gym are most definitely required this week as I have been very slack for the last month.

Walk 3

Time walked: 3 hours
Distance walked: 8.5 miles
Blisters: 0

Wet Weekend

Today I had arranged to meet up with some of the people that will be going on the training weekend in Snowdon on 13th and 14th of March. Being aware that there are only 8 weeks to go until the weekend of torture we have decided to get together and do some training.

Rebecca and Nige are going on the 350 mile Help for Heroes bike ride in May and Jane is going on the Icelandic Volcano trek in July. It was nice to meet them in person as we have been chatting on Facebook.

The forecast today was for heavy rain, and for once the forecast was spot on. I had to go for my swine flu jab beforehand so I took advantage of the loos at the health centre to get into my waterproofs before meeting the others at the Black Horse.

We set of at 10.45 and walked along the tow path towards Campbell park. No photos today I'm afraid but the canal is swollen and the towpath sodden from all the melted snow. We walked as far as the start of Peartree Bridge, crossed over and walked back to the Black Horse where we had a hot drink before heading home.

Walk time: 2hr 15min
Walk distance: 7.98 miles
Blisters: 0

Snowy Saturday

Chris and I decided to walk today instead of tomorrow as Alex didn't want to go out because he had a headache and Shannon was available to look after him.

We wrapped up warm and headed off to the Black Horse to continue our walk from where we left of last time. On the way we had to drop off some washing at Julie and Paul's as our washing machine pipes are frozen solid!


It was a completely different day on the canal from last weekend. Gone is the sun, the grass, the water and everything is covered in thick snow. It was hard work to walk in and we ended up having to walk single file in the tracks left by those that had walked here earlier. I had my pack on without potatoes this time and was finding it much easier to carry.

We managed to keep a nice even pace (mainly due to the absence of children I think) and actually felt quite warm. It's been years since we walked this stretch of the canal and there have been lots of changes. Lots of houses Have been built both at the Black Horse and the Wolverton ends of our walk. This is also one stretch of the canal where there is very little in the way of a tow path on the opposite bank.




We had completed an hour walking but decided to continue on until we reached the Galleon where we intended stopping to use the toilets and have a coffee before heading back. However, when we got to the Galleon no-one seemed to want to serve Chris so we used their facilites and started back. By now it was starting to get colder and duller so we kept up a good pace.

It was really hard work and our legs were really aching as we neared the Black Horse. I'm hoping the snow will have gone by next weekends walk - I'm sure it takes twice the effort for the same distance in these conditions.


Chris decided that a little light refreshment was in order - yuk!

Time walked: 2.5 hours
Distance walked: 6.8 miles
Blisters: 0

Snow Days

Alex has been snowboarding on the hill by the Peace Pagoda. It was surprisingly quiet up there considering what a lovely day it is, and how many children are off school again today.

Chris and I had a laugh last night at the Pagoda. When we were taking Neo for a walk we found a car bonnet at the foot of the pagoda steps. We looked at each other and both said 'let's have a go'. We dragged the (very heavy) car bonnet up to the top of the slope and attempted a dual ride down the slope. It wasn't particularly successful. Chris then suggested we sled down the steps. I was a bit dubious but we both sat on the bonnet and down we went. It was great fun. The next flight wasn't quite such a success as I went flying off halfway down but what great fun!

Let the Training Begin!

In preparation for my big trip to Peru in August I need to put in lots of walking. Not least because I only have 10 weeks until I go to Snowdon for a very heavy weekend of training. I've had feedback from a guy that did the Snowdon training weekend in November. He said that day one was so tough that one person went home halfway through and cancelled their Kilimanjaro trip and three more people didn't make it through day two!

The aim of the training is to gradually increase the time of each walk until you are able to walk for eight hours a day, two days running.

Chris has very kindly said he will walk with me and we have drafted Alex in as my coach (mainly to try to encourage him to enjoy the walks). Alex will be making sure I stick to my schedule and logging details of each walk.

The first walk was on Friday and we had planned a two hour walk along the canal beginning at Campbell Park. It was a beautiful frosty, sunny day so we all donned our walking boots and warm clothes and set off. I have to carry my rucksack while training to get used to the weight I will be carrying on Snowdon and in Peru.It weighs about 5.5kg with 3 litres of water, my camera, spare clothes and waterproofs and felt quite comfortable as we set off.

We set off towards the brick kilns at Great Linford at a steady pace. The canal was still frozen in places from the cold spell over Christmas and there were big chunks of ice floating along where boats have broken it up to get through. Its a lovely walk past the kilns and the Marina.


We hadn't reached Linford Abbey when Alex was lagging so far behind moaning that he was hungry and his legs hurt. As we had only been walking for 45 minutes, this doesn't bode well for the longer walks to come. We instructed him and Shannon to wait at the Linford bridge and we would walk on and pick them up on the way back. Meanwhile, Neo was having a great time - he loves a good long walk along the canal.

Man and dog in harmony!

As we arrived at the Black Horse, we had nearly walked for an hour so decided to cross over and return along the opposite towpath, picking up the children along the way. When we reached them, Alex had miraculously recovered all his energy and proceeded to chase Shannon along towards Giffard Park where we stopped to buy some potatoes for tea. This proved to be 2.5kg too far! My pack was so heavy that by the time we got back to the car I didn't even have the energy to take it off myself - note to self; don't combine walking with shopping.


Walk 1

Time walked: 2 hours
Distance Walked: 5.86 miles
Blisters: 0


Walk 2 will start at the Black Horse and head along the canal in the direction of Cosgrove. For now it's back to the gym on a regular basis throughout the week and short walks every other day.