Nearly opposite lies Newnham Regis, about a mile from its baths. In Saxon times, they say, a king’s palace stood here; and three large fish-ponds, with some mounds, remain for a sign of it. Here, beside a pleasant mill, the foot-path crosses to Church Lawford. Just below, the stream is blocked by an osier bed; and we struggled there for the half of one mortal hour, and mused on the carpet slippers, and Hope, and such things; and “late and at last” were out and paddling through the uncertain light under the pointed arches of Bretford Bridge.
RUINS OF NEWNHAM REGIS CHURCH
Here crosses the second great Roman road, the Fosseway,
“that tilleth from Toteneys
From the one end of Cornewaile anon to Cateneys,
From the South-west to North-est, into Englonde’s ende.
Fosse men callith thilke way, that by mony town doth wende.”
From Wolston to Wasperton
Thenceforward for a mile we move in darkness over glimmering waters, until a railway bridge looms ahead, and we spy, half a mile away, the lights of a little station. This must be Brandon, we decide; and running in beside the bank, begin a quick contention with the echo.
Voices answer us, male and female, and soon many villagers are about us, peering at the canoe.