Backpackers Northants weekend

The snow was bad here at home so I didn't get away on Friday evening. However, Saturday morning wasn't too bad. Hit a patch of black ice in Banbury but survived. Arrived at the rendezvous at Grendon bang on time. There were about nine of us although a few others joined up at various times. Plenty of snow around and the walk took us through virgin snow territory. It was a lovely day, really cold but a clear blue sky and the sun shone most of the day, making it seem a little warmer than it was.

We must have walked about fifteen miles. The snow made it quite hard work but it was a good day. We arrived at our destination, Yelden, about 4 o'clock. Our pitch was behind the pub in the village. We cleared patches of snow away to get the tents up - a new experience for me but essentially not much different to camping without snow.

A quick meal cooked on the stove and then into the pub for a while, followed by an early night.

Next morning we ascertained that the temperature overnight was minus 9.3°C which is pretty cold!

The walk back to Grendon followed some of yesterday's route but with a detour to Podington where the garden centre cafe supplied a bacon baguette and coffee.

I really liked the sight of this belt of birch trees.

And then this lady sitting on a bench. She probably won't be there long.