The John Bunyan Trail
My second section of this trail through South Bedfordshire was undertaken yesterday. Unlike the first, a suburban trek out of Luton, this hops across the Greensand Ridge, and begins a gentle incline along ancient farmland. The landscape is reminiscent of further east: large fields and grass verges. Yet, these are divided by good tracks and quiet roads. Despite the rain and the mud, an ideal winter walk! The trail turns north out of Flitwick, a northern extension of Luton and bends west to Ampthill. If later, I would have taken lunch here but I passed through before savouring the first charm of the walk: the memorial park above the town with its views over the county. These continue along the way as you traverse east and then north along the ridge running parallel to the Bletchley railway line through Ridgmont, Cranfield and Wood End. Once over the incline, you descend (with views) towards Kempston and Bedford nestling in the River Valley of the Great Ouse. Here, I departed the trail as it continued north and worked my way to the County town, having enjoyed its gentle, rolling hills and villages. A county steeped in moderation and prudence.