John Bunyan Trail 31st Aug/1st Sept & 7th/8th Sept 2013
Four super days walking - thanks to Eric, Dee, Jake and Therese for leading and for the information along the way. 20 walkers over the two weekends, 5 of us completed the whole trail. Lovely weather throughout – just half an hour of drizzle on the second Sunday.
Day One: Cranfield to Harlington
Ridgmont new church – Ridgmont old church – Segenhoe - Greensand Ridge – Millbrook Testing Ground - Millbrook Church – Valley of the Shadow of Death – new sign post – looking towards Bedford – Ampthill Park – Houghton House – House Beautiful - this metal ring was the last line of Ampthill’s defence in WWII – these gates were once at Houghton House – Ampthill en-fete – pumpkins at Priestley Farm - Eric tells us more of the JB story at Westoning Church – Bunyan was arrested in this parish at Sampshill Farm (we will see this tomorrow) and taken to Harlington Manor. Looking towards the Sundon Hills (the Delectable Mountains)
Day Two: Barton to Harlington
Views back to Barton – Lion motif on the houses in Lilley – morning break at Lilley – lovely paths through the hills – the Theed Way – Lunch at Streatley – Gary at the official start of the JBT in the Sundon Hills – Memorial Bench for Gordon Edwards who devised the JBT – down the Clappers – Justin is the wrong side of the fence – the men deliberate – the ladies wait - Pulloxhill - Bunyan’s Oak – and the new oak tree planted close by.
Day Three: Cranfield to Elstow
Bromham - Stevington Windmill, Medieval Cross and Well - the Ouse near Pavenham - Bedford, John Bunyan’s Statue, St Paul’s Church, Town Bridge
Day Four: Barton to Elstow
Shillington Church – Therese’s birthday cake – Lunch at Shefford – Haynes - Cardington Hangers - Elstow Moot Hall
