It was always a bit grubby, buildings in disrepair, animals all over the place and tractors and implements abandoned, rather than parked or put away, like we did when we were kids playing with our Britains Farm Set. Take a left once by the The Mill, and you head up a path that brings you to the back of 'The Farm'. I'm sure it has or had a name, but it's always been known to us as The Farm. Presenting a route that includes The Farm brings up a number of images. Not so much a reference of direction or route, but more a warning.
It was usually the geese. Not shy and somewhat protective, they'd be happy to give chase. Then there was the ground cover. Getting your feet wet and cold in gloopy mud is part of any trail run, and better for it. But the somewhat unpleasant sensation of running through the The Farm was that the 'mud' was warm! In days gone, I've led many a group through The Farm, only to hear screams and yelps as we hit the slurry and disturbed the animals. It would always bring a smile to my face...and another story to tell.
But now it's sold. Within a day, all life had gone, fences went up, and now it's an empty shell. Tidy at last, but lacking in everything that made it a special place to run through. It's unlikely to be a working farm again. Probably a fancy house with an owner that will make it difficult to access the public right of way. We'll see. Running that way...The Farm...is merely a link to many other great routes. But going 'through The Farm' will never be same again. It was one of my favourite places.
