Friday walk Wistow Park circular including Kilby, canal and Newton.

A round walk of about  4.5 mls.

After leaving Wistow, 18 walkers queued  the first stile. 

We're over

A race to the next stile (only joking).

There was a surprise for us on the other side of this stile.

Looks like a herd of cows waiting for us to join them at the top of the field.

Hello and moo to you this morning.

A cyclist without his bike enjoying a more sedate pace through the country side.

Wild flowers everywhere.

Our selection would grace any flower show.

Re engineered exit into the village of Kilby - it was new to us.

Another country bridge.

Say cheese.

Unusual viewpoint, guess what?

Another wild flower meadow.

The next Leicestershire entrant for the Grand National?

Just gone through a very muddy patch.

Not a good way to cross a lock, very narrow and  you must hold on tight.

A quick wash after the the muddy section.

Litter picker passing by

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A big wave from all of us. Looking forward to a cuppa at Wistow Garden Centre.

                                      

Friday Walk 4/6/2021 Walking from Mowsley to Gumley. app 5 miles.

Meeting at 10.45am, the weather was dry but not brilliant as we set off out into the country on our way from Mowsley to the village of Laughton.

Mowsley is not particularly famous for anything of note apart from 

the former England Rugby Union Captain Martin Johnson lives in the village with his family.  Frankpa also lives here and he prepares amazing runny eggs. Blue plaque says so.

English countryside is always stunning.

This telephone box in Laughton was in need of a little TLC although there were no skeletons onboard (as there was in Willoughby).

Continuing our walk through Laughton the church itself dates back to the 13th century and had a major renovation in 1879. 

Oh, this is for those who fancy going for a walk but did not get round to it today.

Bricklayer with an artistic leaning.

Cows sheltering from the sunshine.

On our way into Gumley.

For info:  St Helens Church mostly dates from the 14th century with later additions. The tenor bell was cast around 1520. The interior of the church was restored in the Victorian era in 1874 and is a good example of the Decorative style. There is a service every Sunday with a family service once a month.

At the Engine House gas was manufactured for the Hall. There was a Post Office and part of the bakery remains as outbuildings of Westfield. The Butchers shop was at the 'Js' where it was preserved as a museum until recently. There were two public houses in the 1840s, the Hartopp Arms and the Bluebell, which later became The Bell. Only two of seven farms in Gumley are left.

Grade 2 listed structures in the village include Hall Farm, Rose Cottage and Fenleigh House, Stone House, Leys Farm and the village pump. The Motte Castle, a tree ringed mound to the west of Gumley is a Scheduled Monument.

The Village Hall was opened in 1969 on the site of Gumley's former school, which closed in 1933. It is run as a charitable trust and has a small committee open to anyone from the village who cares to join. There is a fish and chips evening in February and a summer barbecue in August as well as other social events.

Cooks Cottage has all manner of interesting and amusing paraphernalia.

Don't stand around too long, you might get planted.

The Bell Inn deserves a special mention here. 

We booked the day before (walking party approx. 20 people.) No problem, we will be expecting you. Mine host pulled out all the stops, said how we were to be served, the service throughout was A1 and we would recommend the Bell to anyone interested in a warm welcome at a village pub.

Face masks for sale.

Time to make our way back to Mowsley.

 

There was a hint of rain as we walked back though folks were too busy chatting to notice. 

Friday 28th May 2021 Bradgate Park Walk.

 

A stroll around the extremities of Bradgate Park.

Measured this walk at 4.2 Miles.

There is no entry charge to the park and the family friendly displays and information tell the stories of the Park, its origins, its history, its geology and the wildlife that live in and visit the Park. There are opportunities to have a close-up encounter with wildlife, hear from Lady Jane Grey about her story and learn how a nearby volcano  created the Bradgate Park landscape. The displays include artefacts, as well as plenty of background to the heritage of the Park and the people that have played a part in the history of the Estate. 

Happy fellow wearing his new hat - just in time for the sun.

On the map it looks flat enough but in reality starting at the carpark in Newtown Linford it's 107' above sea level rising to 212' at Old John.

We had a couple of breathers on the way up.

Old John Tower is on the path of the Leicester Round. Standing on a hill overlooking Bradgate Park, Old John Tower folly is a well known Leicestershire landmark. Built in 1784 as a folly, it has 2 rooms and a distinctive mug shape. It is also on the highest hill in Bradgate Park.

A couple of extra smiley faces.😀😎

On the downhill stretch with views of Cropston Reservoir you can just make out Anstey and the outskirts of Leicester. 

Heading on to the Visitor Centre and a welcome cuppa.

After a well deserved cuppa we set off on the short route back to the car park.

On the way back we came across a herd of fallow deer sunning themselves.

The Park supports, red and fallow deer, with a herd size of around 550 animals, of which three quarters are fallow deer. 

Great walk around the park, weather was exceptional, not like the previous week when we unfortunately had a casualty.

We can report that the lady is in fine spirits even though she needs to return to hospital next week to have a plate fitted in her broken wrist.  We all send her our best wishes for a very speedy recovery. 

She thanks everyone for the flowers, gift card, cake and the lovely card. She's also looking forward to rejoining our walks as soon as possible.