9 November : A Watery Walk to Wolverton

This walk was redolent of chaos even before the outset; four days previously a well intentioned recce dissolved into a herd of cattle and had to be abandoned. As a result the leader implemented the longer, and only partially reconnoitred, plan B. However half the group decided to ignore the recommended travel plan and the group fragmented even before departing Euston!  The compliant group eventually caught up with the adventurers at Milton Keynes station and ten of us set off – with the leader confidently omitting the first footpath over the railway crossing.  After retracing our steps we eventually reached Loughton Valley Park, displaying lovely autumn colours despite the anti cyclonic gloom.

The next hazard came when the leader realised the advance part of the group was attempting to cross the railway via a footbridge. More retracing – only to find that the correct route was comprehensively blocked due to collapse of the boardwalk under the track. This happy mischance enabled us to divert past the remains of medieval Bradwell Abbey.

Finally reaching the limit of Loughton Valley the group ate its snacks in a playground and happily discovered the footbridge to the tow path across the Grand Union Canal which led us to Wolverton – the first railway town in the UK. By this time appetites were getting very sharp and we decided to abandon the table booked in the posh pub in Cosgrove and eschew a barge tempting us with coffee and bacon butties and head towards the canal side Galleon pub at Old Wolverton. The staff were exceptionally accommodating and actually encouraged us to eat our sandwiches inside the pub!

Feeling replenished we continued along the tow path until we reached the impressive Iron Trunk Aqueduct – built in 1811 to replace an earlier masonry structure which collapsed.  At this point the leader left the the canal in order to follow the Ouse Valley Way but mutiny re-emerged; all save one of the group deciding to set off in the opposite direction from the leader and pass under the cattle creep of the aqueduct rather than follow the planned River Ouse route.

Once reassembled it transpired that  the recce had been concluded in the dark so, having now got the measure of the leader,  the walkers decided passers-by were more reliable guides and voted in favour of reaching the station via the pathless main road. The leader eventually prevailed and after passing under the magnificent Haversham Viaduct we managed to conclude the ramble just before nightfall.  Nevertheless ten started out – and ten finished at Wolverton;- although the adventuring group had to retrace to MK in order not to be caught by the ludicrous ticket wars that prevail on this line

With thanks to Sigrid, Virginia and Mary Jane for photos.