The Fotheringhay walk 28 August 2025. It appears there is no castle.

A report on the walk of 28 August 2025, photographs and commentary by (as usual) our rather bemused and disorientated photographic and note taking correspondent.

Now I am going to say from the start that I was a little disappointed with this walk.

I mean I was ready for the big church in the little village (a fundamental so I am told). 

But I was also told there was  castle which I thought was built in 1627. But apparently, when they say it was raized that doesn’t mean built, but it seems in country-folk talk raized means burned down not rraised up.   And that strikes me as odd.  I mean how can raize which means up mean down?

But such are the country ways that I as a Londoner recently emigrated to these parts I have to learn

What did fascinate me was that there was a fair shortage of housing in the area, as that too was probably all burned down, and the locals live in tents.   Feeling I needed to get the hang of the history, I gave the local a halfpenny each for a loaf of bread.

But such is the way of the land that while the locals shelter in their tents the toffs are in their grand houses, all protected with iron and whatnot.

They did not look out at us and we did not look in them. Instead we ventured forth.  I tried to get a move on and venture fifth but no, there was no doing with that.  The waterways ran with, well, water, and I stood and admired.   I really didn’t know this was where water came from until this walk.

But blow me sideways with a candle stick as they say in Wood Green,but there were even boats on the water too allowing people to travel from one bit of water to another.

But of course what I really wanted to see (what with me not being from these parts) was the famous Castle, and yes we found a sign with plentiful details and inscriptions.  Where is the castle I demanded, and answer came there none.  Apparently, it was pulled down or blown or  exterminated by Martians or something.  I don’t think I’ll ever get the hang of country ways.

But fear not I was told there is more to see, and there was.  I was of course, rather taken aback because I wanted to meet some 12th-century maidens or whatnot but none were available.   But I hid my tears and ventured forth and got some rather jolly pics I will share in part two, which on this occasion I have decided to publish after part one.