11th March 2016 Walk from Countesthorpe to Whetstone approx 6 mls.

We're hoping for some dry days soon as we'd love to start walking across the fields again. The wet weather isn't helping and has caused a lot of local flooding just recently.

After a bit of chat and a couple of hiccups (someone's zip got stuck) we set off from Willoughby Road Playing Field Car Park at Countesthorpe walking towards Willoughby.

We turned right into Hill Lane and after about 100 yards turned left along a farmer's track towards Lilac Cottage.

Having a laugh!

The lane showed signs of all the recent wet weather so some of the deeper puddles had to be side stepped.

A new bridge had just been completed. The old one could well have been damaged in all the wet weather. 

When we reached Lilac Cottage we turned right along Whetstone Gorse Lane, sometimes a busy lane.

Passing through another 'Beeching cut', out towards the main Lutterworth Road.

After crossing over the Lutterworth Road safely we headed down Springwell Lane towards the Dog and Gun public house.

Well, we got to the pub a little earlier than the expected opening time so we hung about in the sunshine for about ten minutes or so.

It suddenly dawned on us that this pub wasn't going to open so with a flourish of the arms, we went across the road to the co op to use their facilities.

We just had to smile at this!

After a little discussion outside the co-op, rather than go on to the Lime Tree pub in the village, we decided to walk back.

That photographer has done it again - found the chap with the antlers.

 Back into Whetstone Gorse Lane.

Along to Lilac Cottage corner turning left up to Hill Lane.

Approaching Hill Lane and with the sun shining, coats were off - a fantastic day for walking.

Back into Countesthorpe - and even though we missed out on our coffee break this week, a great morning was had by all.

Next week, weather permitting we plan to go to Draycote Water on the outskirts of Rugby. Usual start 10.30 am from Cosby Village Hall Car Park.


ps

Many of us are interested in birds and the countryside and we thought if anyone in the group has an interesting photo of wild life we'd like to show it off on the blog.

Snapped from our window by a visiting friend.

Our visiting Goldfinches seem to prefer sunflower seed to Niger seed at the moment. 

pps

Willie and Sheila are back in the country but resting up after their adventures.  We think there are more photos to follow.

4th March 2016 walking from lay-by on the B4114 to Broughton Astley Approx 4.75 miles

Today's proposed walk was shortened  because of the weather outlook, sleet and snow were forecast for the afternoon. So, we parked in a lay-by off the the B4114 and started our walk from there rather than Fosse Meadows, our original plan.

The sun was out when we met up and after a bit of a chat we got on our way along a bridle path in the direction of Broughton Astley.

Even on a bridle path you get traffic.

Tractor safely out of the way, we continued. 

Trees, some more alive than others, displaying their winter beauty.

As we made our way up a small incline towards the farm at the top of the hill it was noted that it looked like spring was on its way. The display of daffodils just past the farm certainly seemed to suggest that.

On the way down the hill on our left we paused to watch three hares chasing and bounding over the fields - a rare sight for most of us as they tend to emerge from the undergrowth early morning or dusk.

Cold nights mean the cows and calves have to spend their days indoors.  Some of our walkers are glad to have the fields to themselves rather than share with the cows!

Everybody started waving as a wedding car went by.

That's a nice hat, keeps you warm in the winter.

On entering Broughton we took the first left walking up Six Acres, a lovely quiet little known lane, which led us into the centre of the village.  From here we turned right along the main road to the White Horse pub.

Cups of tea and coffee and the conversation flowed.

Well,  that was a good break, judging by all the smiles coming out of the pub.

 Overworked brolly?

 The time is ................

according to Broughton Astley church.

The river swollen by all the rain the previous evening.

 Another of those photos - no wonder he has to bend down, the weight of that pole coming out of his back, well, I ask you!

Luckily, the weather held until we finished our walk.  

Looking forward to next week for another great walk with great company.