Monday 24 November 2014

21/11/2014 Watermead Country Park. Leicestershire Approx 5.2 miles.




It was a very grey and overcast day with rain forecast around about 13.00 hours. Ten walkers turned up at the car park at Cosby Village Hall and we soon sorted ourselves into cars and set off for Watermead Country Park just north of Leicester.












While we were putting boots on we were joined by some of the local geese who were looking for a free meal. 

Setting off around the first lake we came across a heron and then later we saw three cormorants drying off their wings in the cool breeze.


















A borrowed image

















These particularly impressive birds are fantastic fishermen.













On another lake we came across a couple of  (big!) boys playing with their boats.








Further on we found a pigeon on it's favourite perch (somebody's bound to come along with a bag of bread).






Leaving the park we headed down the canal towards the pub and a cuppa.

































Arriving at the Hope and Anchor we all settled down for a good natter. Willie and Sheila joined in and were quite interested to find out if anybody would be doing anything exciting over the Christmas period. Not long now, only four and half weeks to go.




With all the talking we do it's easy to forget the time. We set off back to the cars, crossing the road then into the northern part of the country park.





















Without doubt the country park was in it's Autumn glory - although it was a grey day the colours of the trees were exceptional. One of the walker's asked the question how did the park start and one wise man answered  that sand and gravel had been extracted  from the valley of the River Soar over many years and in the 1980's all the council's combined to reclaim the areas derelict pits for recreational purposes and now, more than twenty years later, we have this attractive countryside amenity for everyone to enjoy.


Continuing on through the park we crossed one of the many bridges that exist to get from one part of the park to an other.


















Further down the lane a dinosaur was spotted.  Only the bones remain nowadays (and they were concrete!).



As we neared the car park a mammoth was spotted coming over the hill.


















Well, it may have been a grey day, but it was certainly a good walk. Looking forward to next week.

No comments:

Post a Comment