Leave Fiveways along Back Lane and turn right down Blisworth Road, then turn right along the footpath immediately after crossing the disused railway line. This path goes diagonally across the field, where there is a gap in the hedge. Proceed straight ahead, crossing the Gayton Arm/Tiffield Road, and head towards Gayton Wood Farm and Blisworth along a well-defined track. Crossing a stile on the left of the track, the path leads across a field towards the A43 dual carriageway. The path is unmarked, and so the point at which it crosses the A43 is not immediately apparent.

A stile and steps lead down to the edge of the dual carriageway, where great care must be taken, when crossing first to the central reservation, and then to a second set of steps and stile on the Blisworth side. The footpath then leads straight across the field to Blisworth, coming out on the slip road opposite the old mill (now converted to flats), that overlooks the canal. Turn right on the road, passing the mill, cross the Towcester Road and then descend the steps leading to the footpath on the right bank of the canal.

For a few hundred yards the path is a hard, well-maintained surface, and runs through trees close to the canal. You then pass through a new and solid swing gate onto grass. Cross the grassy meadow which will start climbing away from the canal, visible below at the bottom of a steep, tree-covered bank. At the point where the canal disappears into the tunnel, there is a good view looking back towards Blisworth. Here, the footpath joins the Midshires Way, which crosses from the other side of the canal, having come from Gayton to Blisworth along the Blisworth Road. Go through another solid swing gate; the path follows the line of the tunnel almost to the first airshaft, passing through two more gates, then bears right, away from the canal.

Shortly after this point, turn right off the Midshires Way, which continues south to Stoke Bruerne. The route will take you through another gate and along the bridleway in the direction of Gayton. Walk along the edge of the field, on the broad, well-maintained path leading to Wood Cottage Farm, then onto the Towcester Road close to the top of the hill leading out of Blisworth. Cross the road, and continue along the bridleway to the A43 dual carriageway. At this point, the path turns 90 degrees left and follows the A43 for 100 yards or so, along a narrow, overgrown and almost impassable passage, to the A43 crossing point.

After carefully navigating the dual carriageway, turn right for about another 100 yards, returning to the bridleway. This wide, tree-lined track continues for about one third of a mile, then emerges onto the Gayton Arm to Tiffield Road at the point where the road bears sharp right at the top of the hill coming up from Gayton Wood Farm. Proceed along the road, turning right over the disused railway line, and following it to Gayton Wilds House. Here, leave the road and take the footpath round the back of the house, and at the disused railway, turn left along the path. At the end of the field is a broken down stile behind Britain Cottages, and a grassy path leads down to Blisworth Road. Here turn left, and follow the road to Gayton.

Barry Steer