Tuesday, 25 April 2023

Walk 21st April 2023 Market Bosworth & the Battlefield Centre approx 6.5 miles

 The week started with fine weather and the forecast was looking good.  Perhaps this was the time to begin the move away from wet weather, hard surface walks, to summer walks including footpaths.

To check the walk out it was walked on Monday – beautiful walk through the sunny countryside, that special bright green of the new leaves and lots of blossom in the hedges.  Birds singing away, pairing up.

Our leaders had gone away with their caravan on a well earned break and before they left they suggested a walk from Market Bosworth Park to the Battlefield Centre just outside Sutton Cheney.

After the fine weather start for the week the rains arrived through Thursday night.  Plans were already in place so the walk remained unchanged.


Twelve of us set off just after 10:30 from Market Bosworth car park – where the Council appeared to be doing some serious work with diggers.




Bluebells were beginning to show along with the aconites and wood anemones.



While walking through the woods we came across a memorial bench decorated with flowers and a bear with a crown.  It is only two weeks to the Coronation.

 


Wet underfoot which meant walking was slower than it had been on Monday and we needed to skirt the puddles.



We came across Ken’s Wood, obviously named after one of our walkers.  We had to have a photograph.


It was about this point that the walk leader realised that this was not the route walked on Monday so we reversed our steps and found the Leicestershire Round sign and carried on the walk.  There was lots of mud.



There were also sheep and we could hear new born lambs.





The walk does climb slightly to give some views across the Leicestershire Countryside. Sunshine would have improved them.

We decided to take the road route for the end of the walk to the Battlefield Centre rather than the Leicestershire Round which we knew was muddy even in the dry.

Into the centre for coffee and cake and to meet a couple of the walking group who had driven to the Centre.

 




 After refreshments we thought we would try out the stocks.

 

Before starting the return leg we discussed the options, the more direct field path or the longer road routes and decided that as the rain had stopped and the sun was trying to come out we would take the direct route.

 

Recently ploughed fields did result in a build up of mud making our boots heavier.





 

A successful walk.

Next week Bluebells.

15/4/2023 Walk to Tesco Wigston from Oakfield Park, Blaby. Approx 4.4 mls

Nice morning for a walk.




 Over to the path from Oakfield Park to the path leading to Mill Lane.



                                        

Past Peace Meadow garden.


Turned left on to Mill Lane.


On our way to Tesco, Crow Mill bridge in the distance. 


Through Blaby R
oad Park then across the road to Tesco for coffee.




Back the way we came from Tesco into the park.







Over the Grand Union Canal.



Passing by the Peace Garden.


Back to the cars.

🚓🚓🚗 Forgot to take a photo.


See you all next week.

Sunday, 16 April 2023

7/4/2023 Easter walk to Kings Lock.

 Nothing like a sweetie before your walk, after all it is Easter.


  
A slight incline before we get to the Central Railway path.                              


A pause at the summit.


Off we go again. The sun makes all the difference when you are walking.



 The Great Central Railway path goes all the way into Leicester.                                     

Today we are turning off the path and over the Grand Union Canal via a new bridge built specifically to help everybody access the canal path and the great central railway path giving access to the Nature Reserve and miles of very accessible paths. Even access to Fosse Park shopping centre.






King's Lock Bridge.


One of our favourite cafes is located near to the bridge on the canal side.


Down the hatch!



We always have a good time here.








Well time to set off back to Blaby. Just got to get everybody in the same frame of mind.





His and her reflections. 



Rain has been falling consistently recently thus watering holes are everywhere.


A beautiful reflective moment captured.



Enjoying the sights and sounds of  the canal.


Under the Leicester ring road.



Spring is bursting out all over.




A feisty swan, looks can be deceiving - ask the the photographer!



Heading towards the bridge back over the canal and the Great Central Railway path.




Out of the Nature Reserve.


Smiles all round.




Snap 


Back over the canal towards Blaby.



Hedgerows are coming alive.


Cake awaits us, IT'S BIRTHDAY TIME, we love cake. Big thank you to the baker.  And, of course happy birthday to the birthday boy.




Yummy!





Always goes down well.


Not much left for later.



That was a great success. Thank you all. 

Happy Easter everybody.  🐥