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.

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.