21st of August 2015 Walk from Dunton Bassett to Ashby Parva. Approx 5.5 miles.

 Setting off from Dunton Bassett, we were soon in the countryside. 

Harvest time is probably the busiest time of the year for farmers. They certainly need a few days of good weather.

The pace was too quick, so a halt was called so that everyone could catch up.

 We soon got back to the serious business of walking and talking.

We had to lengthen the walk a little as we arrived in Ashby Parva too early, the pub hadn't yet opened for lunch. So, we went out to the cross roads and back again to the pub but we still had to wait a while.

It was worth it, tea, coffee etc all round, just what the doctor ordered.

After our break it was back to the cars the way we came. It was a very enjoyable the walk and we're all looking forward to our away-day next week, a round trip from Packwood House via Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire.

P.S. Willie and Sheila are off on their travels again - to Greenland, so they won't be back for a while.

14th August 2015 Walking from Cosby to Enderby approx 5 miles

Four willing walkers braved the wet, wet, wet Friday morning, not weather we hope for in August.

Having considered the conditions, we decided on Plan C!

Leaving Cosby we headed towards Littlethorpe then through Narborough taking the path by the side of the cemetery in the village. We crossed the busy B4114 on towards Enderby via the golf course.

We didn’t hang around for long because of the rain and headed back towards Narborough where we had very nice and very reasonably priced coffee at Clare’s Bakery.  The bakery has recently changed ownership and we were given a very warm welcome.

Coffee break over, we made our way back to Cosby, a round trip of about five miles. 

Despite the rain, we all enjoyed the walk and the excellent company.  One thing we all agreed upon, we mustn’t forget to re-waterproof our jackets!

Sorry, too wet for cameras.

Willie and Sheila returned from a short walking holiday in Snowdonia, North Wales. Had a great time and left some photos of their favourite walk, Mount Snowdon. It's the highest mountain in Wales, at an elevation of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level, and the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands.

At the top it was just like Piccadilly Circus so they hitched a ride in two walkers pockets.

Friday 7/8/2015 Circular walk from Cosby to Broughton Astley approx 5 miles.

The weather forecast for Friday was spot on and the sky on Thursday night said it all, 'perfect walking weather'.

Fifteen of us set off from Cosby Village Hall car park at 10.30 am as usual.

We went over the zebra crossing and down into the allotments, where we turned right heading for the settlements, then out of the settlements and into the fields.

This way

Slight slope to start with

 

Just about ready to harvest.

Group photo first

Let battle commence

After the fun we headed on towards Broughton Astley.

Must let the farmer through, well the tractor was slightly larger than us.

Out of the fields and into Broughton Astley. It didn't take us long to find our destination The White Horse Pub.

It's great to sit in the sunshine, let's hope it continues.

After a nice break we set off back towards Cosby this time along the bottom field route.

Past a few ponies into another corn field.

Then into maize not fully grown yet.

A helping hand over a style.

Not far now.

As we entered Cosby, we had a chat with the stone masons working on the pinfold. This was an enclosure to keep stray animals and a fine had to be paid by owners to recover them. All part of our heritage.

For info:

The terms "pinfold" and "pound" are Saxon in origin. "Pundfald" and "pund" both mean an enclosure. There appears to be no difference between a pinfold and a village pound. The term pinfold seems to be more popular in the north and east of England, whilst in the south and west the term pound is more popular.

We then proceeded through the village, eventually saying our goodbyes. See you all next week.

                         Cosby Village Church - St Michael's

31-07-2015 walk from Laughton via canal to Gumley back to Laughton via cricket field. approx 5.5 miles.

The sun was out and so were some legs as we all met in the small village of Laughton. 

After parking our cars we started down a bridle way heading towards the canal.

Passing the local hen and duck egg factory.

 Everyone was in a jovial mood. The sun was shining, it does make a big difference.

Leaving the bridle path we went over the cross-roads and down a steep hill to the canal where we turned left. 

Canal boats were chugging along, the crew enjoying the sun.

Along the canal side we came across a fungi much to the delight of the photographers.

Then another enormous fungi, a wonderful photo opportunity.   Some of the others walked on ahead and spotted a heron near a bridge.

The countryside is a joy around this area and really was appreciated by all.

 

We left the canal at the next road bridge and headed towards Gumley  ...

 ... then into a field of ripening oil seed rape and then up into Gumley.

The Bell at Gumley does a great cup of coffee and a cracking cup of tea.

 After a well earned rest in the pub's back garden we set off out of Gumley back towards Laughton via the cricket field.

Quirky corner in Gumley

Approaching the cricket field

An unusual feature here is that the single track tarmac road runs right through the pitch and on match days the traffic and walkers have to stop until the end of each over.


We continued on towards Laughton walking past a monument, a solitary tree and a herd of cows who, fortunately, seemed unfazed by us walkers.

 Here we are back in Laughton, you have to smile. Oh, we know who was here, do you know who was here?

See you all next week.