Saints with Heart II - The Route

Okay you 'orrible lot its only days to go so lets get down to business.

First up some ground rules. I know they might sound obvious but we have to mention them for your good and to cover our backsides.

You should only take part in Saturdays walk if you are fit and able and up to the task.
Long walkers should be experienced in walking distances and at speed.We do have a deadline to meet. Once again we must say, although it sounds harsh, but at two points along the way if you are not up to speed and straggling you will be asked to leave the walk for yours and the rest of the groups sake. We cannot let people hold us back nor can we leave them stranded. So please consider one last time if you feel confident in making the first ten miles of the walk. I cannot stress this enough but the first stage is not a simple stroll, Ajack and I have the blisters and the aches to prove it. Short walkers have a more easier walk but again, unless you are up to the task please do not put yourself at risk. The walk is about preserving peoples health not making anyone worse! We are not trying to put anyone off but please consider the others on the walk before trying to take anything on too heroic.

For the duration of both walks we are out in the wilds for virtually the whole route so please bring liquids and something to eat with you. These will NOT be supplied on route NOR will you be able to purchase them at the start at Wolverton station. There is a small shop in Bliswoth after the first ten miles where you can restock but this will be your only chance. Whatever you do do not drink the river or canal water. Please come well prepared. By the same token there are no loos on route either, you have been warned!

Please ensure that you are come prepared for all eventualities weather wise. Although the route has a good surface please make sure you have the right footwear for the job and ensure you bring a waterproof jacket and a warm layer of clothing. Finally if you haven't got one, beg steal or borrow a rucksack to carry your stuff in.

Now thats the lecture out the way, lets get down to business.

THE LONG WALK

The long walk starts at 7:30am from Wolverton railway station. Those travelling from Northampton there is a train at 7:10 that should get you there on time.
If its late please ring ahead to one of the other walkers. We can hold back 20 mins but not much more. We do have a fallback should the train be much later but i'll leave that should the matter arise but it is intended to leave sharp at 7:30. If you arrive late by car you might find us gone so please allow an extra fifteen minutes to your journey. If everyone is there early we will set off earlier.
For those driving you can find a map here
...................and here

We will be walking the first eight to nine miles starting at Bradwell through the Ouse Valley and then the Grand Union Canal. There are scheduled five minute stops every half hour and ten minute stops every hour. However this time is set by the front walker, those lagging behind will have a reduced rest break or no rest at all, so again I stress the importance of keeping up. After going through Cosgrove and Yardley Wharf we leave the canal and head up to Grafton Regis at around 10:30 to 11:00. The good old Stockers family and Kath at the White Hart have arranged for bacon butties to be on hand when we get there.

From here a convoy . (convoy drivers can find a map here) of vehicles will takes us to the start of phase two at Blisworth.

For......................

THE SHORT WALK

***In a change to what was originally planned there is no planned (although of course we hope we do) meet up of the two sets of walkers at Blisworth.***
There are a few reasons for this.
Neither party has to rely on the other or hang about should the other encounter problems.
The long walkers can stay together as a group and travel down to Blisworth in convoy.
The boat from Stoke Bruerne can drop the short walkers wherever they like and they can happily carry on their way.
Of course our paths will cross but it was felt this was an easier way of doing things if we treated the two parties separately as the last thing we want is one group twiddling their thumbs for half an hour or maybe more waiting for the others, be they the long or short group.

The short walkers start their day with a canal boat from Stoke Bruerne through to Blisworth. Bob has arranged this to cast off at 10:00, again please allow plenty of time to get there by your various means as delay could cause problems later in the walk.  or you missing the day altogether.

Both groups will set off from Blisworth for the walk into the Gardens. For the short walkers we now need a 'Walk Leader' (i've nominated Paul Flatt) for the next stage should we start at separate times. After a mile or so you will come to Bridge 48 (they are all numbered), here you leave the canal for two hundred yards to rejoin the Northampton arm of the canal. A right turn at the bridge takes you along a small village road for two hundred yards till the humpback bridge which you go under to your right again to rejoin the towpath heading into town as the  map below shows.

***It is important that all walkers from each group take this part of the walk together and are led by their respective team leaders.***
Team leaders must do a head count before progressing. This is the only point where a mistake could easily be made.