22nd May 2015 walking in Burbage Woods and surrounding area. app 4miles.

After meeting at the Village Hall car park in Cosby, all sixteen of us headed off to Burbage Common, near Hinckley for a walk around the common, woods and surrounding area hoping to spot some late bluebells.

After emerging from the first section of woods and walking for about a mile through some fields we realised we'd 'lost' one of our walkers. In fact, after discussion we realised he'd not turned up at the car park in the woods -  a black mark for the leader for not checking! We tried to call him but no one had his mobile number - another black mark for the leader! It was decided to carry on, assuming that he'd gone to a different car park and that he would meet up with us later as he knew where our halfway stop would be.

Further on, one of the ladies stumbled. Much fuss was made, we didn't have a stretcher so she carried on declaring "It's just a bruise".  We're fortunate that in the group we do have retired medical professionals, ready to offer assistance if needed.

We reached  the Visitor Centre our half way point and guess who we found.

Was lost -  now found!

As you can see from the photo it was a good tale and everyone had a good laugh. We all have those ' senior moments ' it was just a wrong car park choice.

Willie and Sheila mingled while we were having coffee and tea - the homemade cake were just too tempting for several of us.

After a good natter, we set off back over the common and into the woods.

Through the railway bridge

It was a good day out, everybody enjoyed it and all looking forward to next week.

P.S. Early start next week

Meet at Cosby Village Hall car park  9.00am.

Packwood House to Baddesley Clinton  (National Trust properties) circular walk. Please don't forget pack up for lunch half way round.

2015-05-15 Croft to Stoney Stanton approx 5 mls.

Thirteen of us set out from outside Croft Church and took the reverse route, going through Croft and then taking to the fields. For the walk to Stoney Cove the footpaths were well marked across the fields passing a couple of horses with plaited manes.

Stoney Cove was much clearer than we've ever seen it and from the cafe balcony we were able to see divers at the bottom and the submarine just off the balcony. 

After coffee, and in the case of one walker a bacon baguette and a pint, we walked through Stoney Stanton and took to the fields back to Croft.  This time the footpaths were not so well marked across the recently sown fields and we navigated by spotting the yellow posts.  The route did include a field with cows, however these were very lazy in the sunshine and kept their distance.

The walk ended up going through the Croft Nature Reserve with the trees supplying welcome shade.

8th May 2015 Bluebell walk at Burroughs Wood near Ratby app 4.5 miles.

The forecast was ' right up our street, ' sunny start to the morning, clouding over and by the time that it was due to rain we would be back home.

The route that was selected was a little flexible just in case the weather forecast wasn't quite right.

Starting from the car park on Burroughs Road 18 of us set off on a figure of eight path in the woods. We hoped to come across some exceptional views of bluebells and we were not disappointed

We soon came across lots in the hedgerows and as we walked into the top part of the woods the bluebells became carpets of blue.

The camera men in the group started to click away. There were comments of a disappointing lack of shafts of sunlight through the trees but, not to be deterred, they sought out the best views.

All this bluebell gazing was making us thirsty, so we set off in the direction of the local golf club where a good cup of tea and coffee were known to be served and, of course, cake for those wishing to indulge.

 

We had a special birthday boy with us - this walking lark certainly keeps you young!

After our break we set off back into the woods, cameras ready looking for more bluebells - and as you can see, they were everywhere - fabulous!

Back to the cars to change shoes ending another very good walking day - roll on the next one.

P.S. Just to prove that we didn't spend the entire walk looking at bluebells, below is a picture of golden dandelions, special in their own way.