Friday 23rd February 2013. Gumley to Bridge 61 at Foxton Locks 4½ miles.

11 of us met at The Village Hall car park and decided that we  would from Gumley to Bridge 61 at Foxton Locks for coffee with a return via Foxton Village.

With Barge at Foxton Locks

At Foxton Locks looking across towards Gumley

It was very cold with occasional flurries of snow while we walked. Just outside Gumley we saw young lambs with their mothers. We had coffee at the Bridge 61 restaurant/bar, very comfortable,  but one of the more expensive cups of coffee we have had on our walks. 

  We noticed that at Foxton Locks there was a stretch of the towpath hedge where the bark had been eaten away up to about three feet from the ground. We could see teeth marks on the branches.  Not sure what had been eating the bark.

Foxton Church

Through Foxton Village and back to Gumley.

Two of us had problems with GPS signals so we didn’t get a reading of the length of the walk – a quick check on Google Earth suggested about 4½ miles.

In Bridge 61

Anybody know their names ?

Friday 15th February. Willoughby Rd fishing lakes to Dog and Gun Inn, Whetstone. 6.6miles

View from Whetstone Gorse Lane

Well, we had another glorious morning considering the weather just lately - snow, sleet and rain.  All nineteen walkers agreed to go on a route which did not involve fields or canal paths as they are still quite muddy at the moment and not enjoyable.  Our walk started on the road from Countesthorpe to Willoughby Waterleys. Part of the walk and the car park is on privately owned land so we had previously asked for the land owner's permission.

Just a few puddles

We headed for Whetstone Gorse Lane and walked to the A426,  crossed over on to Springwell Lane and continued to Dog and Gun Lane. We then invaded The Dog and Gun Inn for coffee, tea (and free biscuits!) -  all very reasonable and mine host was very pleased to see us. 

Dog and Gun 

Friday 8th February 2013.Dunton Bassett to Ashby Parva 5 miles

Although it was a dry and clear morning, the weather forecast had promised rain arriving around mid-day. The first question was, "is it fields and mud or terra firma?"  The unanimous reply was terra firma and so Dunton Bassett was suggested. There were eleven walkers and as usual no shortage of volunteer drivers to get to Dunton Bassett. This was quickly organised and off we went.

We walked from Dunton Basssett to Ashby Parva parking  on The Mount. Walking out of the village we walked up Little Lunnon and on to Dunton Lane. At Ashby Parva we turned right into Main Street then turned left on to Ullesthorpe Road. At the cross roads we turned left towards the garden centre. Coffee and tea awaited and some cracking cakes tempted some of us (the damage was walked off on the way back to Dunton Bassett!). 
We are very lucky that we have access to such beautiful countryside and gorgeous villages in the area we chose to live.

Friday 1st February 2013. Foston Church to Peatling Magna. 4 Miles.

It was a clear day although a little chilly. Sixteen walkers assembled at Cosby Village Hall car park (10.30am) with three new faces eager to join in the walk. It was agreed to go to Foston and walk from there to Peatling Magna. The route taken was along Barley Lane, past Great Peatling Lodge and over Folly Bridge, on to Peatling and back.
At the end of the walk, we went by car to the Garden Centre at Countesthorpe and popped into the cafe for a well earned cup of tea/coffee and perhaps a piece of cake, well why not !!!