17th September 2013 Kineton Kicker

Out with Graham today and met up in Cubbington. His original plan was to cycle out of the county of Warwickshire and go into Northamptonshire. We discussed the weather prospects and changed that plan to doing a circuit that we first did in December 2011, a big loop to Kineton.

Kineton Army Camp

Left Cubbington and went out through Bascote, Harbury, Bishops Itchington heading towards Kineton. On the way, went past the big Army camp at Temple Herdwycke. With a soldier, plus machine gun and a MOD policeman on the gate, thought it best to ask permission before snapping away. Chatting to the policeman, it was fairly clear that taking a general picture of the main entrance was something he was not happy about. The suggestion that using the gun, just inside the entrance, as a prop would be OK. It looks very similar to a 25 pound gun that my Dad used in North Africa during WWII. He would have liked this picture.

Battle of Edge Hill 1642

Between Radway and Kineton, on the B4086 is this memorial to the Battle of Edgehill. The plaque states :-
'BETWEEN HERE AND THE VILLAGE OF RADWAY, THE BATTLE OF EDGEHILL, THE FIRST OF THE CIVIL WAR, WAS FOUGHT ON SUNDAY 23RD OCTOBER 1642. MANY OF THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE BATTLE ARE BURIED THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE TO THE SOUTH OF THIS STONE.'
Approximately 1500 soldiers died that day. A nice touch that people still leave flowers and poppies at this site. The village parish council notes acknowledge that members of the Sealed Knot society leave these on the Sunday nearest to the 23rd October.

 Another village water pump

This one is on the same road entering Kineton village. A bit unusual this one, it has two spouts, one about 2' high and the other about 6' high from the floor. Did folks shower in the 19th century? It is mentioned on a heritage site as a Grade 2 listed building but no other info unfortunately.

In Kineton village, hunted out the cafe. Not a pleasant day so ordered baked beans with my toast. Get some energy for the ride back. As we left the cafe, it started raining and by the time we got back to Warwick it was quite heavy. Made good use of a waterproof top I bought on Sunday. 

Quite a tough ride in places today especially in the rain. 39.5 miles in total. Checking back through my records, it is a shame that the times etc for the original run are not recorded as it would have been good to have compared the two rides 21 months apart.