25 Sept 2015 Huncote to Croft via Croft Hill and Quarry app 5 miles.

Now this is walking weather! 

Having met at Cosby Village hall car park at the usual time we set off for Huncote Leisure Centre where we parked and booted up for our walk.

Walking through Huncote we found forgotten relics of the past sadly disappearing into a jungle of weeds.  You might say they were undercover(ed)!

We passed the  Red Lion and then   .....

..... on to the walk-way across the brook, which allows pedestrians to negotiate deep water when the road floods.

A short way up the hill we took a left turn for the Croft Quarry nature trail. At this turn we saw an ambulance and a paramedic car and wondered why.

Our plan was to follow the trail along to the end of the tree line and then climbing up the many steps to the top of the hill hoping for some magnificent views.

The nature trail and all the construction has been provided by the Quarry Company to benefit the communities of Croft and Huncote.

Further down the track we came upon two medics helping an injured person out of the area.

We were told that the steps to the high point of the quarry were very slippery and to take care. Thanking them for their advice and wishing them well, we continued on.

Boardwalks have been constructed to make it easier to get to the end of the nature trail when it's wet.

Near to the end of the lower part of the walk we came across an interesting work in progress feature.

A bridge was under construction. After some considerate discussion it was deemed that this would allow us to extend our walks from Narborough and from Cosby adding additional interest on the day.  Also, as somebody pointed out, a little bit longer.

Well, we'll keep an eye on progress of the bridge but for now we had the steep part of the walk to negotiate.

Photographers have to set the pace in order to get the pictures.

At the summit a chance to catch our breath and have  a look around.

Wow! You can see most of Leicestershire from up here.

Info:  Croft Hill rises up suddenly nearly two hundred feet from the Soar flood-plain, and stands out as an isolated landmark almost at the physical centre of England. Because of its individual shape and its position it was used in Saxon times as a place of assembly where matters of importance were discussed and settled. 

Continuing on to another view point of the quarry, we hoped for some good pictures

And there were - great shots, thank you photographers.  

The massive digging, lifting and moving equipment working in the quarry looked like dinky toys from where we were standing, you could almost reach out a pick them up in one hand.

Continuing our walk we set off for Croft and an old favourite watering hole, the Heathcote Arms.

Coffee, tea and soft drinks went down well as it was quite warm.

Just waiting

After our break we all set off for Huncote via the path running at the side of the hill.

We arrived back at Huncote with the  sun still smiling.

It was a lovely walk - our legs confirming the 'ups and downs' of the day's walk - all good fun!

P.S.

Willie and Sheila were not on the walk because they were resting in anticipation of being up all night on Sunday to get a look at the eclipse. They sent in a couple of snaps with a little quip ' how about a walk up there?'

18th Sept 2015 Walking from Bouskell Park, Blaby to the Navigation at Kilby Bridge. Approx 6.5miles

It was a great day for a walk and two new walkers were warmly welcomed with the assurance of a walk of about 5 miles - no problem!

Setting off from Bouskell Park at Blaby we walked up and through the trees and down the path to South Wigston.

We joined the canal tow path at South Wigston, stopping now and then for a discussion on various important matters.

A green woodpecker was spotted, seen only by a few, they don't hang around.

A Kingfisher was also spotted, a first sighting for one or two of us, one fellow got really excited!

This poster outside the Navigation made us smile.

 Coffee,  tea and a chocolates were served to us alongside the canal.  Perfect! 

The view from the Navigation down the canal is worth a mention.

Everyone ready and we all set off back the way we came.

 Interesting point, we hadn't seen one boat plodding up or down the canal during our walk.

 A bike on the tow-path, not so unusual now days.  We recalled the time when one of us somehow managed to come off his bike and landed plop right into the canal - fortunately, other than a red face, no damage was done!

The weather had improved by this time that there was talk of an Indian summer perhaps.

 An unusual fungi was spotted and photographed.

 Back through South Wigston after leaving the tow path.

Then back to Bouskell Park. The walk was a little over 5 miles (6 plus!) but our two new walkers didn't seem to mind.

A lovely walk enjoyed by all. 

See you  next week and don't forget your bus pass if you have one.