Walking at Watermead Country Park. Leicester on the 31.01.2014 approx 5 miles.

Fourteen walkers arrived for a walk at Watermead Country Park which is situated on the northern side of Leicester between Belgrave and Thurmaston. 

The country park is nearly two miles long and comprises of over twelve lakes and smaller ponds.

Wildflower meadows, woodland, grassland and reed beds make it an ideal spot for walking, cycling and bird spotting. 

Running through the park are the River Soar and the Grand Union Canal.

Initially the park was used as farmland and then for gravel extraction. In 1989 the park was developed from these now disused gravel pits. In 2005 the park was designated by English Nature as a local Nature Reserve; this provides the site with protection from potential development.

Arriving at the park the group were greeted by the locals, some more vocal than others

 The park is quite beautiful at this time of the year. The extra amount of water about does enhance a lot of the scenery.  It also  attracts lots of birds, so much so there is not a lot of room to perch so, anyone's head is fair game.

 A little bit of fun goes a long way and keeps everybody smiling.

Everybody had a great day. Roll on next Friday.

You may have noticed that Willie and Shelia were absent from the walk.  As reported last week, they had gone to The Isle of Wight. 
Yes,  they did enjoy the trip and yes they found out what is black and steaming and comes out of Cowes. They also found out that Newport doesn't have a Port and Freshwater only has sea water.

Waiting for the ferry at Cowes

 They didn't get out of the rucksack when they saw this Monster as they thought they might have ended up as lunch so kept quiet and out of sight.

In Godshill they enjoyed playing in the stocks. They were closed just like every other attraction in January.

Willie and Sheila are looking forward to the walk next week. Hope the weather is good.