1st May 2015 Circular walk from Fleckney via Smeeton Westerby. Approx 5 miles.

May Day and rather nippy, but the sun was out and it stayed much the same throughout the walk. Sixteen of us set off from the car park in Fleckney.

It was only a short walk out of Fleckney into the fields and out towards the canal.  At the canal we took a right turn along the tow path towards Saddington.

We then came across the Saddington Canal tunnel - it's unusual as it can take two boats side by side rather than the normal one.

We all went down to take a closer look.

Some info:

The Leicester Canal Smeeton and Saddington to Kibworth.

Saddington Tunnel and The Leicester Section of The Grand Union Canal.

 This slightly crooked Leicester Canal tunnel was constructed in 1797 and is 808 metres

 long and available for two way working for boats of 3.96 metres or less beam and maximum

 of 2.13 metres high. The tunnel does not have an internal towpath -

 if walking or cycling along the Leicester Canal's towpath then follow the marked route

 which goes up and over the hillside directly following the tunnel's subterranean route.

Saddington Feeder Arm connects the Leicester Canal with Saddington Reservoir -

 fed by water from Saddington and Laughton Brooks, the reservoir was constructed

in the 1790s as a water source for the canal.

 After inspecting the entrance we then walked over the grassed top of the canal to the exit on the other side.

Here we found some local people with their dogs, one appeared to have 
 taken lessons on spectacular dives!

His name is Alfie

Leaving the canal towpath the footpath turned left over the fields towards Smeeton.

 The party got split up due to a bit of gossip which was totally engrossing.

Somebody forgot to switch the phone off.

                       

     Catching up at last.

This seat was put in exactly the right spot.

On the way to the pub.

Waiting for coffee and tea

Bridle path back to Fleckney.

Willie and Sheila having a rest.

Last mile of the walk, the weather got better.

During the walk it was planned that next week we would do a bluebell walk through Ratby woods.

Great walk see you next week.