17-10-2014 Bouskell Park to the Navigation Inn Kilby Bridge. App 6 miles

Can you believe it, Willie and Sheila have returned from Gretna Green and, yes, you've guessed it, they've tied the knot! One of our walkers brought us some photos of their celebrations and a copy of their marriage lines. We were all pretty amazed at this news - big smiles all round!

Cheers

Willie and Sheila with the other bride and groom

 

Hopefully, Willie Walker and his bride Mrs Sheila Walker, nee Foster will be joining us for our next walk, apparently they were far too busy clearing away all the confetti to join us this week.

Back to this week's walk - it was a lovely dry day and after a bit of chatter at Cosby Village Hall car park we decided to start our walk from Bouskell Park in Blaby. 




At Bouskell Park we had a bit of a delayed start  as two walkers had not arrived from Cosby. We waited for ten minutes or so, tried to phone as well, but no luck.  At about ll o'clock we decided that there must have been some been some misunderstanding about our meeting point so we finally set off from the park, passing through the pine wood, out near the cemetery along Mill Lane towards Crow Mills.  Here we joined the canal tow path and continued to Kilby Bridge.   

As you can see from the map it's a pretty straight walk with not  many turns.

There was plenty of activity on the canal as far as the swans and ducks were concerned but no canal boats at all. We guessed the owners had decided to dock and bed down for the winter. 

One or two photographer's on the banks taking the odd snap here and there.

We soon got to the Navigation Inn at Kilby Bridge. It was here that we discovered what had happened to our friends who hadn't turned up at Bouskell Park - they'd gone straight to Kilby -  yes, a communication problem!  Realising what had happened they decided on their own walk from Kilby which they enjoyed but unfortunately they missed out on meeting up with our group for coffee and tea which was great, especially as it was served with chocolates. Yum, yum.

On the way back

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Past the boat that doesn't seem to go anywhere

The tree that decided it was too far over to the left.

It was a great day out with plenty of excitement. What will next week bring? See you all then.

10 October 2014 Walking from Dutton Bassett to Broughton Astley via Cottage Lane approx 5.5 miles.

Well, it had rained every day this week and actually checking out a new walk was put on the back burner so we opted for one of our terra firma wet weather walks instead.

After meeting up at Cosby we drove to Dunton Bassett and parked near the old Merry Monk pub which became an Indian Restaurant but is now boarded up awaiting a new life.

After booting up, we set off in the direction of Ashby Magna along Station Road. After crossing over the motorway we turned left into Holt Lane down towards another motorway bridge but crossing under rather than over this time.

Turning into Holt Lane.

Motorway bridge

As you walk out under this bridge the old Central Railway bridge which is now defunct, ie no trains and lots of brambles, looms in front of you.

Watch out for the odd vehicle

At the top of Holt Lane we turned left, then at the A426 turned left again and crossed this very busy fast road with care.

We turned right into Cottage lane and followed the lane for about a mile and a half.

On reaching the housing estate we turned left, walking through the jitty, and keeping pretty much in a straight line through the estate until we reached Station Road at Broughton Astley.   

Through the housing estate

Taking another left turn we dropped into the  Red Admiral just in time for a cuppa.

 There is a nice seating area outside to enjoy a tea or coffee.

One of the walkers showed us a birthday card she'd received for her 'twenty first' from a family member. Cheeky!

Break over we all set off on the walk back to Dunton Bassett.

 

From the Red Admiral we turned left and followed the road back to the cars, about one and a half miles.

It turned out to be a lovely dry morning and the sun shone; hopefully it'll be the same next week.