Cosby Friday Walkers Blog: February 2015

On Thursday it rained just about all day. The rain was so heavy that if it continued into Friday the walk would have to be cancelled. Fingers crossed and with a weather forecast that was surprisingly favourable we decided to wait until Friday morning to decide if the walk was on or off.

At nine am we rang Launde Abbey to say that we were on our way. We thought that out of the original 21 walkers expected we would be turning up with about 18 which would be an excellent turn out.

We had an early start, leaving Cosby at 9.30 am for Loddington arriving outside the Visitor Centre at about 10.30. Everyone was talking about the drive from the village of East Norton to Loddington - snowdrops everywhere - gardens, lawned public places and hedgerows carpeted in white.

Boots on before the off

Hedgerows full of snowdrops.

"I am sure it will be alright"

One of the group had organised collecting the key for the local church so we could look around inside ....

.... and here it is!

The amazing Loddington
snowdrop show .....

Yes, the key did fit.

The church is lit and heated by gas, and the organ relies on man-power - things hadn't changed much over the years.

After returning the keys we set off out of the village with some outriders for company.

Looks like the thatcher left his tea pot - the tea could be a bit on the cool side by now.

Out into the countryside lanes, past farm yards and the odd tractor.

The leaning tower of hay

Up hills and down hills on the way to Launde Abbey.

Launde Abbey in sight.

For info: Launde Abbey is the Diocesan Retreat House shared between the Diocese of Peterborough and the Diocese of Leicester. It is a Tudor manor house set in 400 acres of beautiful parkland just over the Leicestershire border, not far from Uppingham and Corby.

After a major fund raising campaign in 2009/2010 it has been substantially refurbished and now offers excellent conference and meeting facilities as well as high quality residential accommodation.

Launde Abbey runs a programme of retreats and quiet days led by experienced retreat leaders. It is also available as a venue for parish away days and events. Special rates are available to groups from the Diocese of Peterborough.

When we came last year the soup at lunch time was fabulous so it had to be checked out again. They welcome walkers as long as you take your boots off which is no trouble when such a warm welcome awaits.

Vegetable with a hint of spice.

All ours !!!

The soup looked and tasted great as were the sandwiches that followed.

Coffee and tea were spot on - and there was cake - lots of it ......

..... which disappeared very quickly - check out the faces caught in the act!

Yes, it was all very enjoyable - Launde Abbey comes with a big recommendation from all of us.

Launde is on the Leicestershire Round so you could plan your walk with lunch here in mind.

After lunch we went for a walk around the Abbey garden and woods for another snowdrop walk which we found very pleasant, also the walled kitchen garden, not at its best in February but worth checking out later in the year.