2023.07.21 OUNDLE SUMMER CHIP SHOP HIKE
22 July 2023
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Steve P and Greg met Maria, Thomas and William at Orton Mere car park at 10:25; had a quick kit check and safety briefing. Greg and the Scouts walked up to the bus stop on Oundle Road to catch the X4 bus to Elton (minus Steve who was supporting in his car).
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At Elton bus stop the route was reviewed and then, assisted by Greg, the Scouts found the start of the hike at Elton Church and navigated the public footpath around the church to Mill River End, from where they were set off to follow the bridleway towards Eaglethorpe. Prior to the Scouts setting off, Steve and Maria set up phones for tracking – which proved useful later on in the day.
Greg and Steve drove round to Eaglethorpe and walked back along the route to meet the Scouts (just to make sure that they hadn’t wandered off the bridleway). On meeting up, routes were checked again and the Scouts set off to Eaglethorpe ahead of Steve and Greg where the whole party gathered on the village green for a picnic lunch.
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After lunch, Greg reviewed the route through the village (now The Nene Way) with the Scouts, before setting off first to the next check point – Warmington Church. Whilst waiting at the church, Steve notified Greg that according to the mobile phone tracking, the Scouts had missed a turning in the village and were heading off in the wrong direction. When Steve and Greg caught up with the Scouts on the outskirts of Warmington, they had realised their mistake and had started to retrace their steps. Greg joined the walkers, helped them find where they had gone wrong and then navigate to the church and Springfield Farm, which involved a few discussions about the correct direction.
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From Springfield Farm, the Scouts were set off on their own again along a straight public right of way, after confirming direction with compass bearings. Steve and Greg drove round and checked on the Scouts where they crossed the road to Tansor. At this stage it was realised that if the Scouts continued at the same pace, they wouldn’t complete the hike in time to have chips in Oundle before catching the bus home. After seeing the Scouts off towards Ashton, Steve and Greg drove along the A605 to check out a shortened route and an alternative crossing point to get to Oundle.
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Greg and Steve caught up with the walkers again near Elmington Top Lodge and The Rifle Range, discussed the change to the route and set the Scouts off to Ashton.
In Ashton the Scouts enjoyed meeting the peacocks that were wandering around the village. From Ashton Greg escorted the walkers to Ashton Mill and across the fields to Oundle to guide them across the busy roads and direct them on the changed route. In the meantime Steve had driven round to Oundle and walked to meet the walkers crossing the A605.
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The whole party made their way through Oundle to The Blue Marlin chip shop to purchase supper which was eaten in The Market Place whilst dodging showers in the bus shelter. After a little exploration, Greg and the Scouts boarded the 18:14 X4 back towards Peterborough.
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On arrival at Orton Mere, Scouts were met by parents who whisked them all off to Gang Show rehearsals.
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Just a few observations from a couple of old Scout Leaders:
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Many thanks to:
More Photos can be found HERE.
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