John's 8.7 mile walk took twelve members south of Swayfield to Castle Bytham in the catchment of the Glen Rivers, returning past Creeton and then up The DriftThanks John for the photos and video.
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| The start on The Drift near Swayfield |
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| Never far away - the East Coast Main Line |
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| Very hard going on recently ploughed fields ... |
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| ... or stubble |
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| Maize, intended for the nearby anaerobic digester (AD) |
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| Massive fields of maize |
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Whatever your views on the best use of farmland, for food, biodiversity or energy, biocrops must rate bottom. Why?
Maize has a singularly harmful impact on soils.
Solar PV generates 12–18 times more energy per hectare than maize grown for AD.
Yet, nearly a third of maize grown in England is grown as a bioenergy crop for AD
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| One of many limestone quarries in the area |
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| Castle Bytham was well-established by the time of the Norman Conquest of 1066 and was known by the ancient name of Westbitham. The original motte and bailey castle probably dates back to the Domesday Book which was compiled in Lincolnshire in 1085. The castle was destroyed in 1220, rebuilt, fell into decline, used as a quarry for building material and only the motte now remains |
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| Crossing (under) the East Coast Mainline for the second time |
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| Just south of here, on 3 July 1938, Mallard claimed the world speed record for steam locomotives at 125.88mph |
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| Heading south at speed |
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| And back up The Drift to the start |
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| Today's route in red and others done recently |
