East Carlton Park and snowdrops

 Monday 10th February, with Norma, Maureen and Kate.

A rather unpleasant day, so we opted for an easy stroll of about one and a half miles round a somewhat muddy East Carlton Park, where the snowdrops were beautiful.

Of course we ended up as planned in the cafe as usual.

Two walks in London

 Part 1, Thursday morning Feb 5th. 

From Pax Lodge via Belsize Grove to Primrose Hill, the Regent’s Park to Baker Street (approx 4 miles)

The view from Primrose Hill wonderful as ever. 

A pause for coffee at the cafe, then on to Baker Street to catch tube and train to West Dulwich, where we visited the Picture Gallery for the Tirzah Garwood exhibition.

A cold stroll through Dulwich Park, another coffee, and then on foot all the way to the Elephant and Castle, seeing the surroundings change as we headed north.

From Dulwich to Green Dale, Denmark Hill, Camberwell, Walworth and the Elephant and Castle. (another 4 miles or so).

Wing, Manton and Rutland Garden Centre

 Monday 3rd February 2025. With Kate, Norma and Maureen.

Almost 5 miles.

This walk began from the maze in Wing, then we turned left through the village, past the church,

admiring the snowdrops and splendid aconites along the way. 

We followed the minor road towards Manton 

then turned right along the Rutland Water cycle route beside the road. More aconites to be admired.

The shared cycle/walking path was very quiet this morning - I think we saw one cyclist, though there was traffic noise from the road itself.

After about a mile we reached the new (2023, anyway) cafe - no longer Wellies, but The View. Bigger and more spacious now.

Coffee and cake or scones were consumed before we tackled the final mile and three quarters - this was mostly downhill, along the bridleway, which, as I had suspected was muddy,

though only for a short distance. It reminded me why we have been avoiding the fields this winter!

Across the railway line, and up the final incline into the village, pausing to watch the freight train (not to catch our breath!)

Wing circular

Sunday 2nd February, with Harry.  Not measured, but about 2.5 miles.

The short route on minor roads, which we have done several times. See this post from October 2024.

Aconites, snowdrops, a few daffodils near the Maze. Catkins and more snowdrops

and the sunset beginning…

and finally the sunset through the Welland viaduct.

Lyddington to Uppingham and back, via the road.

Tuesday 28th January

The weather forecast was horrible, but we were very lucky - we avoided any serious rain.

There was a glimpse of the sun

and even a brief rather faint rainbow

We decided on coffee and a scone each in the Fifth Element cafe in Uppingham, before returning by the same route. 

The stream below the path was flowing well.

Half of our route - just over 2 miles each way, with 350 feet of climbing too.

 

 

A short stroll through Corby (Shire Lodge end)

 Monday 27th January. 

With Norma, Kate and Maureen. The weather was drier than forecast, so we had a fairly brief (2 mile) walk around before yielding to the temptations of coffee.

Geddington to Kettering via Weekley Hall Wood

Friday 24th January 2025.

As forecast it was certainly windy, but not ferociously so, and the bright sun more than compensated. Marta and I set off well before 10,  passing some daffodils just beginning to flower.

 We walked three 1/2 miles through Weekley Hall Wood to the outskirts of Kettering.

We ventured over the main road to look at the ex Fox and Peony to check what is happening. It will be a bistro/bar/cafe called the Bull Pen. Not open yet, so we went to Starbucks, which was surprisingly full to start with. We had a decent break, and some Spanish practice. 

The return trip was via the slightly shorter route, with the wind behind us. Just seven miles according to my walk app.