Market Harborough 7.5 Miles (24/04/23)

Members Present: K Maguire, A Dulson, D McDonnell, A Sear, D Chambers, J Hickling(6) and little Spencer. Duly arrived at Market Harborough at 1125 for this almost flat walk. Was never going to remain dry after the recent forecast but it stayed overcast and dry till we got to Oxendon Tunnel. This was arrived at via the disused Market Harborough to Northampton railway. Everyone opted to walk through the tunnel rather than take a short cut despite the warning of a very steep climb up the embankment straight after it. So we marvelled at the engineering of the tunnel by torchlight whilst avoiding the sometimes deep puddles within. Back in the daylight, we started the scramble up the bank away from the disused railway but unfortunately Derek couldn't make it and so returned into the tunnel with Spencer. The rest of us slipped our way to the top and then headed towards the main road expecting Derek and Spencer to join us. After some delay,but sheltering from an extremely heavy shower, I headed off to search for them and luckily found them wandering off in the wrong direction. After the group's rendezvous, we crossed a few fields, then it was a longish road walk to the church grounds in East Farndon. We had a good break here and then it was back into Market Harborough via road and a huge well kept council park to a cracking little Brew pub 10 minutes from the station. Karl Maguire