18.10.2013 Market Bosworth to Bosworth battlfield (Figure of 8 Walk approx. 6mls.)

Arriving at Bosworth Park we changed into our wet weather gear and set off on our walk. The weather forecast was for rain in the afternoon so we hoped for a dry morning, although expecting mud in places ie. the fields.
We soon found a rather large puddle which was negotiated with care, the boys helping the girls over a gate to avoid the water hazard. Plain sailing after that !! just mud and the odd country smell.

Well into our stride we started picking up the paths across the fields which are well marked on OS Maps and also by the Leicestershire County Council with yellow pointer posts.

 

Again, we have to say the English countryside does take a lot of beating.

 Two visitors who are relatives of one of our walkers joined us for today's walk. Certainly looks like they were enjoying themselves.

We mentioned that Willie our new walker was off to Derbyshire last weekend. Unfortunately, that walk was cancelled due to bad weather.
However, he did go on a photo shoot and brought some photographs to show us how he got on.

Hey, everybody what about the backpack.

We are told that Willie could well be off on a great adventure soon, perhaps we will know more next week.

In one field, mushrooms were growing everywhere. We weren't certain that they were the edible variety so we just admired them.  Willie thought he had found some perfect garden furniture, just the right size. Looks like he's had one too many.

We then arrived at Bosworth Battlefield site where there is an excellent visitor centre and restaurant.  Richard III, the last Plantagenet King was killed near here, his body found recently in Leicester, now famously known as the 'King in the car park'.

After a quick look around we had tea/coffee and cake. Our visitors thought that this was a good part of the walk.

 Suitably refreshed, we set off on our way back taking a slightly different route through Sutton Cheney  and Bosworth Park.

Willie found a ladder that somebody had been using to photograph birds we thought.

The rest of the walk was through wooded areas of Bosworth displaying Autumn at its best - golds, yellows, browns, reds and oranges - fantastic.

 

 

What a great way to end a great walk.

11/10/2013 Friday walk from Dunton Bassett via Cottage Lane to Broughton Astley

 A new member of the walking group arrived today - Willie Walker as he likes to be called. Apparently, he is a very experienced walker who likes different routes every week just the way the group do.

He also likes holidays and gets here, there and everywhere - it just depends on who has space in their rucksack where he can snuggle down for the trip - he's not fussy. No doubt we will all enjoy hearing from Willie on his exploits in the future. He's obviously a very likeable chap and has already been offered a trip to Derbyshire this weekend !!

The weather had changed for the worst and as predicted by the experts, cold, damp and drizzling.  All eight of us set out well wrapped up,  zips up, hoods up.  It soon got a little better which cheered everybody up, not that they needed cheering up as they are a very happy bunch of walkers. 
The route took us through some fields of cows which got quite nosey. Then somebody mentioned McDonald's and they wandered off to the other side of the field.  As we passed another field, a group of horses popped their heads over the fence to say hello.

We then wandered down Cottage Lane towards the centre of Broughton Astley and The Bull (it opens at 12.00).

Settling down to a cup of coffee and a natter,Willie circulated and thought the sugar lumps were quite nice. Then he found an interesting pumpkin but decided not to partake as he still had some walking to do

After coffee it was decided that as Christmas was approaching fast, we should book in at the Bull as we did last year so we are stopping there at 12.00 for our Xmas celebration on Friday December 20th. One for your dairy - not to be missed.

Then we all set off back to Dunton Basset through woods and across waymarked fields. Whilst relaxing  and watching what was happing in an adjacent field Willie quite lost his cool and fell off his perch laughing.

After much laughter we all set off through a field of maize which had grown a little on the tall side.

 

When we passed the sign for Stemborough Mill somebody mentioned we hadn't been in that part of the world for a while - a walk for the near future no doubt.  It had been a damp walk but you know next Friday could be much better. See you all then.