Sunday afternoon Walk

It was such a beautiful day on Sunday I decided to do an almost circular walk to the fastly developing estate at Middlemoor.
I had been told it was not possible to walk through to Daventry any more by direct footpath route but this is not the case, there was a temporary closure while they were doing some earthworks but way is now clear again.
Signs of Autumn are all around us now

It struck me that those of you who have spent some time in Braunston at one time or another may like to see some of the changes that have taken place, or just be reminded of what a lovely village and area it is.
I started my walk from home, down and along Dark Lane where the leaves on the trees were beginning to change colour

to the Admiral Nelson where the Sun had brought out the Customers

 to the left you can see the sheep busily grazing on the hill

on behind the pub along the tree lined path -

to the right you can see over to the 5th Lock (Ernie's Lock) where the nb "REGINALD" was just passing through

after joining the towpath by Top Lock I walked on towards tunnel (this part of the towpath was impassable a few months back apparently while they repaired towpath where springs had made it impassable again)   After spending no end of money earlier redoing the towpath and bank which was supposed to stop the water (water will always find its own way I was taught!) they have now solved problem by raising towpath to form a bridge over the water

 you can see below how water now flows beneath walkway

entrance to the Tunnel

up the steps onto the path over the tunnel

a few yards along however I deviate by taking path alongside field bordering the old Railway track

walking along the edge of the field in no time at all it seems (no more than10 mins walk) you are faced by this - the encroaching face of Middlemoor

it seems to be trebling in size (now has two bus routes passing through - where we have been cut down to one)

This was the reason the footpath was closed temporarily

before the fence was erected and earth piled up there had been wild flower gardens planted by DDC presumably bank will be replanted with wild flowers, not really sure why fence has been put there as behind it is only the old Railway track which at one time , comparatively recently , it had been suggested should form footpath right through to Braunston (it has already been converted into a footpath from Town up until just before Middlemore) due to purchase of Railway Bank at Braunston by a private purchaser,  this has not been able to happen but last suggestion I heard was that it would come as far as Third Lock i.e. Admiral Nelson and join Jurassic Way

After seeing all the Building Work I joined path that runs behind Middlemoor, I was rather worried that this path had been ruined but No it hasn't !!

I call it the green path and it is a really delightful place to stroll along, with elder, sloes and blackthorn buses and seats here and there to sit on as well as being a haven for wildlife - just hope that the very many children who will soon inhabit Middlemore will respect this

at the rear Middlemoor Farm Pub I traversed a field to join rejoin the path over the Tunnel

and back to where I diverted

back towards the top lock,

 the reflections of the trees in the water were stunning

below the top Lock

looking down the flight from 5th lock

I then walked back home through Jetty Field which has recently been cut

this ended a truly delightful walk