LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Parked car in School Lane, Henley in Arden, at 12:30pm and cycled to The Orange Tree Pubic House, Chadwick End, via Kite Green, Lowsonford, Turner's Green, Rowington Green and Baddesley Clinton. Started walking from Chadwick End at 1:30pm. Couldn't resist eating a few juicy blackberries, last on the season, as I entered the first field of my walk. Passed impressive dwellings in Convent Farm, Manor Park Farm and Broomes Park on my way to the National Trust Properties of Baddesley Clinton medieval manor houses. Continued past the Trust Buildings over the fields to Kingswood and the canal network. The Grand Union Canal with its large double barge locks and the Stratford Canal with its narrow single barge locks. Very pleasant and interesting walk along the canals to Lowsonford Village, passing the busy and noisy M40 motorway. Notice the 'Slotted Bridges' the 'Rounded Roofs' etc. Turn the handles to hear the local canal stories. Good to see the ancient hand water pump at the cross roads in the centre of Lowsonford Village. Leaving the village I passed some geese on the lane to Coppice Corner. The dismantled railway line to Henley could easily be seen amongst the fields and hedges. I took great delight trying to work out the exact line of the old railway track. Good path through the grassy fields, with new kissing gates until I reached a field near Hungerfield Farm. The field had recently been roughly ploughed. I decided that it would be easier to skirt around the big field. The edge of the ploughed field was also very rough. Did I make the best decision? I continued walking, rather than try the alternative. Picked up a large colourful feather by the ploughed field. Was it a Pheasant's feather? Overgrown path between the trees of Edge Lane. Then, one more field to cross before the impressive views across Henley in Arden, the Beaudesert Mount and the River Alne Valley. Pity the views were spoilt by the heavy mist. Steep descent into the very impressive Henley in Arden Market Town. Memories of the early 1970s when I was working in the area and based in Henley. I was helping to install a telephone system from Birmingham to Oxford with Tony May. A small detour up and down the main street of Henley is recommended, to view the attractive churches and timber framed buildings. I negotiated the passageways to the railway station, then I returned to the alleyways to find the car in School Lane.

- www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: from Chadwick End Village 420730/273015, - Finish: at Henley in Arden Market Town 414815/265945, - via: Stratford Canal 418630/270765. (Click on location and use Zoom and BACK Buttons).

Take care crossing newly ploughed fields. Note that the 'Blue Way Arrow' on the post at the lane by Coppice Corner Farm is confusing. The maps show the path following the old railway route to the coppice, rather than the longer farm track route via Coppice Corner Farm.