Mappiman's Real Ale Walks: 21/01/23 - Centenary Way - Stage 15

The Centenary Ways getting interesting. Even the weather joins in.

The Centenary Way simply cannot help itself. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the most scenic and architecturally interesting leg of a Long Distance Path that previously can only be described as mundane. Running trains lead me through a glorious winter's day - freezing cold but gorgeous blue skies - to be met by a fog bank on the approach to Warwick.

Frozen Fields to Old Milverton

It's from the station that I pick up the trail, heading north on a busy road past Guy's Cliffe and into concrete hard fields to Old Milverton. The Saxon Mill - complete with working wheel - tempting me in with the offers of brunch. There's plenty of refreshment options throughout this walk.

Old Milverton Church

Its impossible to know where Warwick Ends and where Leamington Spa begins - but the posh houses north of Newbold Comyn is probably a good guess. I may change my opinion of Leamington during the next stage but my previous observations were always of faded grandeur and a place a little bit up itself.

Hitting civilisation, I spy a woman up to something that leaves me pondering the back story for the rest of the day. She has arrived at a public bin on a sit up and beg bike, complete with child's seat attached over the rear wheel. In the child's seat is a bag for life, from which she is feeding the bin wine bottle after empty wine bottle. Enough bottles to more than double the amount required for the Waitrose Multi buy discount offer.

So whats the story here, apart from she obviously likes wine. Is the green recycling bin at home full? Does she not want to be judged by the bin men? Where is the child?

Much to ponder, as waterways take me back to Warwick. A new "river walk" path hugging the River Leam, through pretty Jephon Gardens, Victoria Park and a short stretch of aqueducts on the Grand Union Canal.