Friday 15th March 2013. Thorton Reservoir. 2. 5 miles

Well, there had been no let up in the awful weather that we had been experiencing. Showers were forecast early morning with heavier rain expected in the afternoon. All 14 walkers agreed that a walk around Thornton Reservoir would fit the bill nicely. 

Bottoms up

Thornton is full of wild life, always something new on show.  A swan was spotted in 'can can ' mode. Further round the reservoir a pair of Great Crested Grebes were in the process of a courtship dance which was absolutely fascinating. A couple of snaps were taken, the quality not great, but they do give an idea of  an event not seen by many.

Grebes courtship dance

As always, there was plenty to talk about. One topic of conversation was who would be selected for hat of the day. There were two would-be contenders and the hat of the day is shown below.

Grey and shaped to fit !

A fish was spotted parked on a corner of Thornton Fly Fishery.

We drove to Forest Hill Golf Club for coffee and tea with some wonderful cakes which tempted many. Everybody enjoyed the walk but it was unanimously agreed that a little sun would be most welcome in the future.

We love cake !

Friday 8th March 2013.Cosby to Narborough via Littlethorpe and Whetstone. 5.8 miles.

Starting point at Cosby Village Hall

Fourteen walkers met on a cold damp morning. During Thursday night we had experienced a torrential downpour which had brought the brook water level up another foot. The weather forecast was for rain to arrive again in the early part of the afternoon.  Forewarned,  the unanimous decision was to stay local so we took a circular route      to Narborough then home. 

Hat of the day

On route

In Littlethorpe we turned right at Warwick Road.  After the motorway bridge we turned left on to the old railway line following the signs for Enderby Road.  After passing the tip (and the floods!) we headed towards the Toby Carvery. Here we turned  left again towards the centre of Narborough.  After four miles at a good walking pace we arrived at the  Narborough Arms for coffee, tea and a good chat!

Short legs or high seats ?

Cosy interior

It was only a short walk back to Cosby, about 30 minutes or so. 
You know, that damp cold miserable Friday morning turned out to be very enjoyable.

Hope to see you all next week.

Friday.1st March 2013 Leire to Broughton Astley 6 miles.

Stemborough Lane

 20 walkers met at Cosby Village Hall car park and the route suggested was from Leire to Broughton Astley . We parked at the playing fields at Leire, walked along Main Street to Stemborough Lane and out of Leire taking to the fields at the mill and walked to Broughton over a couple of fields. This was a good test after all the wet weather.

First muddy encounter

          
Three 'patches' of muddy areas  were encountered all passable with care. We  hope for  drier weather in the future weeks to enable a slow return to bridle paths and fields. A little competition was discussed on the walk "photo's of headgear" so a photo will appear each week which will be up for discussion the following walk.

"That was a bit HIGH"

"We had our Christmas lunch here last December"

The route through the estate at Broughton to the Bull's Head completely bamboozled some of the walkers. 

 Staff at the Bull's Head made us very welcome and a comfortable half hour with coffee and tea soon had us ready for the return journey.

Beware we are after your hats

         
Roll on next week.

Friday 23rd February 2013. Gumley to Bridge 61 at Foxton Locks 4½ miles.

11 of us met at The Village Hall car park and decided that we  would from Gumley to Bridge 61 at Foxton Locks for coffee with a return via Foxton Village.

With Barge at Foxton Locks

At Foxton Locks looking across towards Gumley

It was very cold with occasional flurries of snow while we walked. Just outside Gumley we saw young lambs with their mothers. We had coffee at the Bridge 61 restaurant/bar, very comfortable,  but one of the more expensive cups of coffee we have had on our walks. 

  We noticed that at Foxton Locks there was a stretch of the towpath hedge where the bark had been eaten away up to about three feet from the ground. We could see teeth marks on the branches.  Not sure what had been eating the bark.

Foxton Church

Through Foxton Village and back to Gumley.

Two of us had problems with GPS signals so we didn’t get a reading of the length of the walk – a quick check on Google Earth suggested about 4½ miles.

In Bridge 61

Anybody know their names ?

Friday 15th February. Willoughby Rd fishing lakes to Dog and Gun Inn, Whetstone. 6.6miles

View from Whetstone Gorse Lane

Well, we had another glorious morning considering the weather just lately - snow, sleet and rain.  All nineteen walkers agreed to go on a route which did not involve fields or canal paths as they are still quite muddy at the moment and not enjoyable.  Our walk started on the road from Countesthorpe to Willoughby Waterleys. Part of the walk and the car park is on privately owned land so we had previously asked for the land owner's permission.

Just a few puddles

We headed for Whetstone Gorse Lane and walked to the A426,  crossed over on to Springwell Lane and continued to Dog and Gun Lane. We then invaded The Dog and Gun Inn for coffee, tea (and free biscuits!) -  all very reasonable and mine host was very pleased to see us. 

Dog and Gun 

Friday 8th February 2013.Dunton Bassett to Ashby Parva 5 miles

Although it was a dry and clear morning, the weather forecast had promised rain arriving around mid-day. The first question was, "is it fields and mud or terra firma?"  The unanimous reply was terra firma and so Dunton Bassett was suggested. There were eleven walkers and as usual no shortage of volunteer drivers to get to Dunton Bassett. This was quickly organised and off we went.

We walked from Dunton Basssett to Ashby Parva parking  on The Mount. Walking out of the village we walked up Little Lunnon and on to Dunton Lane. At Ashby Parva we turned right into Main Street then turned left on to Ullesthorpe Road. At the cross roads we turned left towards the garden centre. Coffee and tea awaited and some cracking cakes tempted some of us (the damage was walked off on the way back to Dunton Bassett!). 
We are very lucky that we have access to such beautiful countryside and gorgeous villages in the area we chose to live.

Friday 1st February 2013. Foston Church to Peatling Magna. 4 Miles.

It was a clear day although a little chilly. Sixteen walkers assembled at Cosby Village Hall car park (10.30am) with three new faces eager to join in the walk. It was agreed to go to Foston and walk from there to Peatling Magna. The route taken was along Barley Lane, past Great Peatling Lodge and over Folly Bridge, on to Peatling and back.
At the end of the walk, we went by car to the Garden Centre at Countesthorpe and popped into the cafe for a well earned cup of tea/coffee and perhaps a piece of cake, well why not !!!