Draycote Water 17/11/2023

Everybody arriving at Thurlaston for our walk around Draycote Water Reservoir. We won't be doing the circular walk we usually do. Severn Trent are doing major reconstruction work about half way round and the path is closed so we cannot walk the circuit. So it's plan b.

 

Just one more lace to tie and then we'll be off.

Chocolate box village of Thurlaston.

First small gate but not as muddy as we know this area can be.

Through a small wooded area then on to the side of the reservoir. 

Smiling for the camera. 

Views across the reservoir on a glorious Friday morning.

Discussions and general chat. 

Geese block the path but move on for a while as we pass causing quite a commotion.

Well we got some great photos.

The sailing club in the distance, just past here Severn Trent had closed the path to all.

At the visitor centre we all settled down to coffee/tea and cake.  It's quite famous for its scones, and you can see why.

Conversation flowed.

Decorations everywhere - the start of the Christmas season.

Very comfy with our coffee and chat but we need to get going. Outside the visitor centre and checking we've not left anyone behind.  So, back the way we came.

Different views on the way back.

Quack Quack.

Draycote Water is quite an expanse of water good for fishing and sailing.

Thurlaston in the distance.

Smoke gets in your eyes.

Turning right and back up to the cars.

Guess what? We didn't notice this sign when we came.

Great walk, smashing weather, see you all next week.

10th November 2023 Walking around Watermead Country Park.

Watermead Park, a network of artificial lakes in the valley of the River Soar and the old Grand Union Canal.

Meeting place was Watermead Country Park, the south car park for a 10.30 am start. This would have been possible if the the car parking machinery had been working, ended up phoning and paying using smart phones.

After the delay we all got started on our walk.

Lovely bright day, ideal for a walk around the lakes.

A bridge over the river Soar. The river joins the Grand Union Canal just north of the Marina. Confusion can arise because of the locks which are part of the River Soar.

Walking past Whiles Lane, Birstall - this is a good place to park if only a one or two cars are involved. And it's free.

   

 

After walking past the allotments on Meadow Lane, Birstall (car park here if needed) we headed up between some lakes, Jelsons Pool, Key Lakes and Tri Lakes.

                         

Finding one of the lakes had over lapped the pathway slightly we adopted the hitched up trouser approach.

                                                  

The locals of course found this very amusing.

                                        

Everybody likes a bit of rust.

There are several boat yards to view from this point. The River Soar joins the Grand Union Canal at the next bridge we come to.

You have King Lears Lake to the left and Murphy's Lake to the left.

We walked towards the statue of King Lear, but turned over the bridge over the the Soar as time required us to be at the White Horse for our half way break. They're expecting us.

Enough time for a photo on top of the bridge.

Looking for the way around, the guy at the back seems to know. 

Smiles all round, we were on the right track.

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Back into Birstall

Little chat with the  locals.

Our destination the White Horse.

A space thingy?

One lonely cake, not enough for sharing.

But we were very happy with our drinks - the coffee is excellent, highly recommended.

Checking out the Christmas menu, looks good and reasonable prices too.

What a happy group of people!

Well we have to go, it's just a short stroll back to the cars.

Car park in the distance on the left just past the Mammoth.

See you all next week.