John Clare
Walking to Northborough
I decide to stay one more day in Northhamptonshire to try to understand why Clare had such difficulty moving only four miles away from his village of Helpston.
The North Sea Interlude
I leave Clare Country to go visit a dear old pal who now resides in Grimsby, a town mercilessly mocked by every single person I mention it to. It wasn’t horrible.
A Stroll to Burghley House
Vic gets a min-taste of the pleasure of English country walking as we overnight in Stamford, so we can look at Burghley House, one of Clare’s places of employment.
Straw Bear Festival
Vic heads up to Peterborough to see the countryside, I take him to the Straw Bear Festival. What a lucky find.
Walking to Helpston
Being an American with Clare issues at the pub in Helpston is clearly going to be one of the best nights of my life.
Clare Walk Misshaps: Day 2
I thought I’d drop off my bags in Peterborough and then backtrack for a day of walking around St. Neots, but alas, the weather and my stupidity had me doing other things.
Walking Along the River Lea
The first day of walking toward Helpston! I’m following the route written by the Clare Cottage, which in fact, is not on his route at all. Still, it’s scenic and not what I was expecting when I assumed I’d just trudge up the M1.
The Epping Forest
In which I publicly admit I have serious Clare issues while standing in the Epping Forest.