30 Jan 2015 Walk around Cosby app 3.5 mls.

The snow came down and all plans were quickly changed. Rather than car journeys or walking along icy pavements it was a agreed unanimously to walk across the fields surrounding Cosby, something we've not done for some time as they have been water logged.

The map shows the route.







The walking sticks were very useful.

After walking out of Cosby towards Littlethorpe we turned left into the fields heading over towards Pepper's farm.

 












The countryside looks particularly beautiful when covered in snow.





Considering the time of day we were quite surprised to note from the footsteps in the snow that several people had already passed by before us.

It was cold and  unfortunately one of our cameras had apparently frozen up.

Got any hay ?

Continuing our walk out of the farmyard we went across the Cosby to Croft road and into the fields alongside an estate, known locally as the settlements.

We walked to the end of the field on the left and then turned right up towards Broughton Astley.

View towards Broughton Astley.

View of Pepper's farm 

Still chatting away

On our way round we came across another tree that had succumbed to the weather.

One of our walkers went to get a close up picture of the fallen tree,

perhaps to use in a competition, maybe.

After reaching the top of the field we turned left heading out of the fields in the direction of Cosby Golf Club.

Entering Cosby on the Broughton Astley road we headed round to Granny Smith's, our local cafe for a well earned drink.

All things considered it was a very good walk, the weather could have been a bit better but we suppose you have to take the rough with the smooth. It did allow a bit more time in the cafe, well, it was warmer there. 

On our way back to the village hall car park we crossed the bridge over the brook in The Nook, another photo opportunity. Walking on towards the car park it was mentioned that the snow will probably have all gone by next Friday and we'll be back to normal - perhaps?

All nine walkers (the ninth is holding the camera).

See you all next week.

P.S Willie and Sheila have cadged a lift to New Zealand, so they won't be coming on any walks for a while.

24/01/2015 Walk from Fosse Meadows to Claybrooke Magna (Pig in Muck) approx 5.5 miles.

Well, it's still wet and soggy over some of the fields especially the ploughed ones so we're keeping to walks on hard surfaces for the time being.  This week's walk started at Fosse Meadows car park and we were all keen to get going as it was very cold.

A good pair of boots

Plenty of warm clothes

The first part of the walk was easy going, heading south to Highcross in a straight line just as the Romans did.

You can't lose anybody, can you?

The original Fosse Way 

For info:

High Cross is the name given to the crossroads of the Roman roads of Watling Street and Fosse Way in Leicestershire. It is about a mile west of the village of Claybrooke Magna. This section of Watling Street is now a dual carriageway section of the A5, the southern part of the Fosse Way is a B road, and the northern route of the Fosse is now a track which is a part of a long-distance path called the Leicestershire Round.

At the crossroads we turned left down towards Claybrooke Magna. 

Unfortunately, we had to use the road which was busy at times but there were plenty of verges to hop on to escape the traffic.

You can't miss the 'Mucky Pig,' at Claybrooke, our destination. 

There was a roaring fire to greet us (much too hot for us in all our outside gear!)

After a cuppa and a good natter we set off back the way we came.

Back at the cars it was pointed out that changing back into mud-free shoes has to be done carefully.

February the 20th snowdrop walk from Loddington to Launde Abbey - just reminding everyone to try and keep that day clear and keep an eye out here for information on times etc.               

See you all next week.    

Willie and Sheila's Welsh borders break.

Willie and Sheila went off for a break to the Welsh borders and brought back some photos of their visit to the very impressive Chirk and Pontcysyllte Aqueducts.

Chirk Aqueduct

Chirk Aqueduct

Chirk Tunnel

For info:
You can walk through Darkie Tunnel but beware it is some 1200 feet in length, so a flashlight is recommended, it is one of two tunnels at Chirk, the other is the shorter Whitehurst Tunnel
The 70 feet high aqueduct built between 1796 and 1801 by Thomas Telford and William Jessop. 

The Pontcysylite Aqueduct

View from the aqueduct (snow on the mountains)

Willie and Sheila

After a walk across the aqueduct

For info:
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct , is a navigable aqueduct that carries the Llangollen Canal over the valley of the River Dee in Wrexham County Borough in north east Wales. Completed in 1805, it is the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain.

When the bridge was built it linked the villages of Froncysyllte, and Trevor.

The aqueduct, built by Thomas Telford and William Jessop, is 1,007 ft (307 m) long, 11 ft (3.4 m) wide and 5.25 ft (1.60 m) deep. It consists of a cast iron trough supported 126 ft (38 m) above the river on iron arched ribs carried on eighteen hollow masonry piers (pillars). Each of the nineteen spans is 53 ft (16 m) wide. 

View from below.

They enjoyed their stay and will definitely be going back to enjoy some of the walks in the area.