L2L Day 22 Buckingham to Towcester - 7 miles

 I caught the 83 to where I'd left off yesterday, arrived at the Silverstone Museum an hour before it opened 

a charmless place ...even allowing for the token tree!

I sat there listening to the McCartney's stolen bass guitar documentary - what a lovely story.

Eventually at 10 o clock the doors were opened. I'm not a petrolhead but as I was passing it seemed worth a visit.

I learned about tyre technology and brake disc temperatures, uplift and downlift, regenerative braking and even had a go on a racing simulator - it had to be done. 

Even after half an hour, keeping the car on the track was a challenge but at least I was the second fastest on the scoreboard

only beaten by Katie, an eleven year old schoolgirl to my right.

I found out afterwards that a professional driver would do a lap a full half minute quicker - no doubt they could have pulled into the pits for a new set of tyres and a full MOT before I caught up.

Out on the track, 

I met Pierre, Ryan and James hoping to get a glimpse of the competition - the 2026 Alpine F1 racing car as it sped past on the test track. 

They are all graduates in the Aston Martin F1 team - what an amazing opportunity. Perhaps undercover industrial espionagists!?!?

Back in the exhibition, my only contact with technology was with the robot tray clearer.

You daren't try to catch it's eye - it's expression convinced me I was taking too long over my tuna and sweetcorn sandwich.

There are no footpaths across Silverstone so I had to walk the perimeter and eventually having lost my way a couple of times,

arrived in Whittlebury just as the rain started. 

The Fox and Hounds beckoned and I managed to squeeze in a coffee before closing time.

The paths I'm following seem not be heavily used and finding the overgrown stiles and gaps in hedges can be a challenge.

Then there's the horses 

these two Shire horses were particularly frisky and the enthusiasm with which they approached me from across the field did have me concerned for a minute. They are big!

As I walked on, the white one kept nudging my rucksack. Having a few days ago, thought it might have been an idea to get some polo mints for just these occasions - I'm having second thoughts.

In the farmyard they had an interesting collection of machinery and chunky old generators. 

More items of beauty.

After the rain, the smell of wild garlic in the air was delicious.

There is a lot of new housing under construction surrounding Towcester to the West. As a consequence the footpaths were inaccessable or seemed impossible to trace.

In the shiny Sales office for Persimmon Homes they seemed oblivious to any footpaths anywhere near here

and the tone was, if I was a prospective purchaser I needn't worry!!!

I eventually reached the Kings Highway at Watling St,  the A5. 

Watling St. must have been an amazingly exciting artery. It certainly remains a very busy one. I've always liked the idea that all that separates us today from those pre Roman times is just a series of Monday mornings.

St. Lawrence's Church is apparently built over Roman footings. 

Fittingly, they have an underfloor ducted warm air system that was belting out some very welcome warmth. So I stayed longer to admire some really very good artwork by the local Yr 2 and Yr 4 pupils who must have a particularly inspired teacher introducing them to Monet, Klee and Hundertwasser. Brilliant!

Back out from the church to find queues on Watling St. just like there used to be in 'times of old'.

More rain!!