3rd October 2014 Huncote to Thurlaston approx 5 miles round walk.

After last week's lovely walk at Rutland Water, this week's was going to be difficult to match. 

But then you think to yourself, these walks are more about a good social event, people who are like minded in getting out into the fresh air, having a chat, keeping active and having fun at the same time. So it didn't really matter where we went to -  it was always going to be a good.

            If you're not already one of our regular walkers and this sounds like a good idea to you, why not join us.  We are an informal group meeting at Cosby Village Hall car park every Friday at 10.30am (unless we are going a bit further afield and then it's a little earlier.)  You'd need to be reasonably fit as we walk whatever the weather, often over fields and stiles so suitable footwear is essential i.e. strong shoes or boots. 

        The walks tend to be on average around about 5 miles, which nobody notices because we are always talking! We have a break approximately half way for a comfort stop, coffee, tea and maybe cake.
      

Anyway, back to this week's walk. Parking at Huncote Leisure Centre, ten of us set off in the direction of Croft Hill.

Just out of Huncote and over the small bridge on Croft Hill Road we turned right into the fields and Autumn grabbed us immediately.

The Autumn colours,  the dramatic change from Summer, take your breath away. 







We headed across the fields towards Thurlaston Lane passing some inquisitive cows on the way.

On reaching Thurlaston Lane we turned right and over the Motorway Bridge then turned left down towards the ford.

Heading down towards the ford we turned right up to the fishing lakes at Normanton Park. We continued up through the park passing fishermen, ponies and alpacas and then up past the shooting range turning right before Earl Shilton Road.

Great way to spend a couple of hours

 

 

Passing the church at Thurlaston, we turned right at the T junction going towards the garden nursery where a great cuppa and cake awaited.

 

Break over, we set off on the return route towards Huncote. 

Opposite the nursery we joined the marked footpath over the fields towards the M69. We crossed over the motorway on a well used muddy cattle bridge. 

Keeping the sand and gravel pits on our left we headed back over the leisure centre playing fields to the car park.

 

Another good walk had by all and another one to look forward to next week.

Friday 26th September Rutland Water Walk Approx 7.25 miles

Well, everybody arrived on time at the car park in Cosby for the 8.45 am start for our away-day and after checking which car park we were heading for at Rutland Water, we sorted ourselves into cars and set off. 


The bus timetable that we had for the Rutland Rover said that it left Whitwell car park at 10.42 am so rather than miss it we gave ourselves plenty of lee way on the journey time.

The plan was to arrive at Whitwell car park (No 12 on the map), jump on the bus and travel around to Lydon visitor centre (1/2 a mile before No 30 on the map) and walk back.

Willie shows Sheila the route of the walk.

Having arrived there nice and early we chatted while we waited for the bus.  We had to go in search of the bus stop but with the help of someone from the boat club we found it hidden among some trees so we re-installed it at it's proper place much to the amusement of our fellow walkers.

Somebody spotted the bus coming and we had to make a dash to the bus stop. Everybody got their passes out apart from a couple of 'youngsters' who had joined us for the walk.

The ride to Lydon only took about twenty minutes.   It was turning out to be a glorious late summer's day and many walkers were soon taking layers off.

The views were stunning and as we walked and talked time went by very quickly.

As the path is shared with cyclists it soon became apparent that we did not have to take notice of every sign that we saw!

Sheep were every where so it was a good idea to look down occasionally.

Lunch time came and we found a nice spot near the visitor centre overlooking the reservoir.

Willie and Sheila kept moving around, no doubt trying to find another holiday venue. After we had been fed and watered we set off on the next part of the walk.

The sunken church and the Rutland Belle in the fore-ground

The next snaps show what some people will do to get a good shot.

But then you have got to get up!

Thanks to the sharp eyed photographer for this contribution.

We had some good views from the dam at the end of the reservoir.

 Heading from the dam to Whitwell car park and back to the cars.

It had been a very good walk enjoyed by all.

We finished the day with coffee, tea, ice cream and cake at the Habourside cafe -  very yummy.

Great day - looking forward to next week.