28. 2. 20 Wet Walk around some of Broughton Astley. app 3.5 mls.

Well, the weather doesn't get any better, only wetter and wetter.

We had decided to walk out of Broughton Astley and up Cottage Lane only to find that the road which should have been closed to traffic was being used. Also reports of walkers having narrow escapes and jumping into ditches because of passing cars. 
So we opted for a plan B - walking around the roads and streets of Broughton Astley eventually arriving back at the White Horse where we had parked. Then it was straight into the pub for teas and coffees and a chance to dry off.
Because of the rain there are no photos of the walkabout only those taken in the White Horse.

Well at least we all enjoyed the chat and the staff at the White Horse made us very welcome.

Hopefully next week will be better.

21.2.2020 Walking around Enderby .

Rain, rain and more rain, our walking routes have been severely curtailed for weeks if not months.

Below are a couple of photographs of Littlethorpe earlier in the week. Consequently, we are surrounded by soggy wet fields.

A change of plan. Away from the fields and onto the streets. To start with, a walk around Enderby.

Meeting at the Leisure Centre we set off on a cold damp day with only one person with a map.

Lots of mutterings 'well I have never been down here before.'

After the street experience we make our way through the tree strewn lanes heading back to the Leisure Centre.

A glimpse of the motor-way through the trees - as usual, far too much traffic.

Well, it was a different walk - might have to do something similar if the rain keeps falling. We finished the day in the Leisure Centre cafe, quite enjoyable.

14/2/20 Valentine's Day walk from Blaby to Leicester.

Flooding all over the UK

First Storm Ciara. The fields are already flooded and with Storm Dennis on its way we decided to keep to the Great Central Railway path from Blaby to Leicester as it's tarmac and raised up from normal ground level.

The weather, having quietened down for a few days, allowed us to get out and about in the fresh air and escape from the effects of  'cabin fever' i.e. trapped in, weatherbound. 

So we met at Blaby Industrial Estate and set off. Not a brilliant day weather wise but a least it was dry.

Slight incline moving up from the canal.

That's the way, you can't get lost, it's a straight line from here on in.

Quite a pace set by the front walkers.

This walker lives not from the route so met up with us as we passed by.

You do get quite a few bikes on this track but it is a shared route. We just wish that they sounded their bells sooner rather than later or not at all.

The path leaves the countryside and enters urban areas of Leicester.

Graffiti becomes the norm as budding Banksy's practice on any available space.

Space age playground for the kids.

Locked on the wrong side of the path and still somebody nicked the wheels.

Muddy waters, the swans don't seem to mind - it's feeding time.

Into the centre of Leicester heading for the Cosy Club.

Drinks all round and a sausage bun for one.

Plenty of room for all of us.

It's a nice place to settle down for a good chat and catch up with the Willie and Sheila news.  They've just returned home after an exciting time in India and the Maldives and now they're off to Mexico for more sunshine.

Cheers everybody.

Coffee break over, some of us stayed around town to take in a little of the Leicester Comedy Festival before catching the bus home.

7/02/20 Snowdrop walk Loddington and Launde Abbbey. Approx 5 mls.

Hi Everyone

Meeting at Cosby Village Hall to leave at 8.45 am.

It's snowdrop time again!

Yep, we all arrived on time and set off to Loddington for our annual snowdrop feast.

The Game and Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre kindly allowed us to use their car park. 

A little bit on the misty side to start with, but the forecast did say it would burn off later in the morning.

Walking down to the church across a couple of very wet and squelchy fields.

Getting into the church garden was a bit tricky.

Everybody has their own method of dealing with mud.

Our path flanked with snowdrops.

The church of St Michael dates mostly from the late 13th to early 14th century.

Our many photographers were able to capture on camera the essence of our visit to Lodddington church for all to enjoy.

Admiring the view.

Excellent pictures from all our photographers - thank you.

Getting down to it.

Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.

With another three miles to walk we'd better make a move towards  Launde Abbey for lunch.

Leaving the fields and onto terra firma.

Making our way down the lanes, not much traffic around at all.

Beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.

At this point we spotted a couple of hares in the distance doing a bit of sparring - unfortunately, they were too quick for us to capture them on camera.

Our first big incline of the day.

Always nice to get to the top.

Sunny but still very cold.

 Arriving at Launde Abbey.

Tree that's always well watered.

We arrived a little early. Some of us put our feet up, others went for a walk around the garden.

Welcome.

The rear view of the Abbey.

The kitchen garden. Just like all our gardens, not very productive at the moment.

A seat to take five and enjoy the view.

Lunch is served.

Massive pot of vegetable soup with warm crusty rolls, enough for some of us to have seconds.

Must be good, they've all gone quiet.

Cake to follow and by the looks of the size of that slice and the serious face, it's a nice problem to have!

Oh yes, we know how to jam and cream our scones.

Lunch is over and boots returned to owners - THE HILL awaits, we're all fired up with cake power - so no problem!

Here we go. 

Here at last.

Yippee!

 And after the hill, a demonstration of how to do the Plank - no one else joined in - wonder why?

Down the hill, around the corner and we are back at the cars.

Great walk with lovely people on a lovely day - perfect.

P.S. A message from Willie and Sheila. 

Found a new friend while on holiday.

Piggy back time.

Taking a close look at the garden.

Back to the chalet just in time for cocktails.

It was a 4am start to see those tigers -  just chillin' now.