18th December 2015 short walk of about 3 miles around Thornton Reservoir.

Everybody arrived at Thornton Reservoir for a short walk. We all agreed a short walk was a good idea as there were still lots of Christmas jobs to be done before Father Christmas arrived.

One of Santa's helpers.

Below a group of walkers ready for the off.

Unlike some ready the table, this lot will still be here next year.

Forgot his Santa hat

Traffic jam at a gate

It's so mild the cows are still out in the fields.

          

                                       

On our way around the reservoir.

Near to the end of the walk

No parking sign lying down on the job.

Back at the car park we tucked into mince pies and other delightful tit bits.

                                  

Another cracking walk. 

It's Christmas day next week so we'll all be having a day off. 

Meet again at Cosby Village Hall the following Friday for a new year walk.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

11.12.2015. Christmas Munch and walk.

Everyone gathered for the walk prior to the Christmas Munch at the visitor centre car park at Burbage Common.

A cracking day for a walk, chilly, bit of a breeze but everybody dressed and prepared for the British weather.

  Twenty six walkers arrived for the Munch.

                               
  Over the railway.

                                                   

Under the railway.

 Through the woods and golf course.

                                     
Back to the car park.

Let the Christmas Munch begin.

 Happy walker

Concentration - on how not to spill your coffee

           

  Fantastic Munch -  everybody enjoying  themselves.

                           

 Lots of delicious party food including mince pies and cream scones - thank you Acorns at the Visitor Centre, a lovely spread enjoyed by all.

Someone had organised a collection and presented a card signed by all, and a hamper, including home made goodies, a cake, a bottle of wine and more home made goodies to the walk leaders - what a lovely surprise - thank you so much everybody.

One of our walkers made a special cake for a special 'big birthday' but unfortunately, the birthday boy couldn't be there -  the cake was yummy (we heard!).  

                                                           

                           


Our expert photographer brought along some of his work to share with everyone - thank you.

                         Great day - thanks to everyone.

4th December 2015 Walking into Leicester from Blaby via Great Central path app 5 miles.

We're lucky with the weather for our Friday walks; that's the general consensus of opinion. 

Even so, a good look at the weather forecast does help when planning which walk to take and for how long.

We parked at the Blaby by-pass Industrial Estate after meeting at Cosby and it didn't take long to get going.

 We set off towards Glen Parva and then over the canal on the central path-way to Leicester which led us to the local nature reserve at Glen Parva and Glen Hills.

For info: The Great Central Railway (GCR) was a railway company in England which came into being when the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway changed its name in 1897 in anticipation of the opening in 1899 of its London Extension (see Great Central Main Line). On 1 January 1923, it was grouped into the London and North Eastern Railway. Today, small sections of the main line in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire are preserved; see Great Central Railway (preserved). Several other sections of GCR lines are still in public operation, including the southern end of the line from Marylebone Station in London into the Chiltern region.The main line route south of Nottinghamshire was closed down on the recommendation of Richard Beeching in the 1960s. 

Walking along the path of the old railway we came to a bridge which is part of the new ring road around Leicester.

Emerging on the other side, we walked past a farm on the edge of Aylestone.

Coming across some maintenance men, one of our group found he'd literally bumped into an old mate.

What a small world it is!  You could be leaning on a bar in some obscure backwater in Timbuktu and what's his name from you know where will say "Hello there, fancy meeting you here."  It's a small world indeed!

We had to slow down and wait for you know who to catch up again.

 Wandering along the canal where the old railway used to pass you can still see some of the arches, now derelict. Many a firm prospered under them before branching out to modern industrial premises.

Entering Castle Gardens for the last section of our walk.

For info: A motte and bailey castle was built in about 1068 inside the south-west corner of Leicester, and became the centre of power for the first Norman overlord of the town, Hugh de Grentmaisnil. In 1107 Robert de Beaumont, first Earl of Leicester, established a college of canons (community of priests) at St Mary de Castro and probably rebuilt the castle defences in stone. The second Earl, Robert le Bossu, built the Great Hall in about 1150.

The gardens are well maintained by the city council.

Out of the gardens, we headed for Jubilee Square and a cuppa at the local Wetherspoons.

In the square a giant Ferris wheel had been erected as part of the Christmas celebrations.

The High Cross, our walk ending point.

Whilst having coffee it was by requested that Santa socks were shown. 

Next week it's the Christmas Munch.  See you all there.  

 Ho Ho Ho.