Our joyfulness is often a reflection on the weather, especially when out-of-doors. Today was no exception as we set off in warm sunshine for a 4.5 nature walk from the limestone buildings in the village of West Deeping.
We set out from ‘King Street’ the former Roman Road – which ran from Durobrivae (near Peterborough) to Bourne, crossing the River Glen just east of Kate’s Bridge and then past Sapperton to join Ermine Street near Ancaster. A straight road that once closely skirted the fens to make contact with the Car Dyke.
Within a minute civilisation, now out of sight, is replaced by fields, copses and wide open views. Along the field edges we spied snowdrops and yellow primroses and the early buds of blackthorn.
Tallington
It was a varied route that took us over the fields to Tallington where we watched the East Coast Mainline train hurtle past before we crossed over past the (now closed) WhistleStop Inn and turned immediately left down an unnoticed footpath parallel to the railway track on our left and an idyllic sheep pasture on our right.
Who would guess such beauty lay beyond the hedgerows whilst waiting at the Level Crossing ? Looking across the grassland we could really see the impressive Mediaeval Ridge & Furrow landscape which extended into the field system beyond and where yesterday while testing the route, I encountered a numerous flock of Fieldfares bobbing around the pasture. My new binoculars glued to my eyes. Very exciting birding!
River Welland
Very soon we left the medieval landscape behind and crossed the Welland, an example of modern-day watercourse straightening and management, to walk along the right bank. It is raised up very many feet above the water course and the fields below and beyond are low lying indeed and prone to flooding.
The levee affords very extensive views across the former fenland. The nearby lakes are habitat for many waterfowl although we saw few today. The constant song of various tits, robins, sparrows and wrens accompanied us wherever there were trees. I must confess we seldom ceased talking the entire 4.5 miles but such was our enjoyment in good company, fresh air and sunshine.
The final straight is an old road, tree lined at first and now partially closed, it brought us full circle in view of Maxey church tower and past West Deeping church spire. The spring-fed lakes on our left were created in the 1970’s from former gravel pits. Yesterday when alone on that road I fancied myself as John Clare might have once done in nearby Helpston. I am currently reading “A Poet’s Wife” by Judith Allnatt – one of Manuella’s book club choices about wife of the poet, no doubt it was on my mind. I must also acknowledge Mavis as the one who first introduced me to man and the poetry of John Clare.
John Clare Society Festival 11th-12th July
The 2025 John Clare Festival will take place in Helpston – they have an Instagram page now which looks quite fun : https://www.instagram.com/johnclaresocietyofficial/
Next month I am thinking to organise the walk in Crowland. See you then I hope.