Pitsford Water anti-clockwise

 Tuesday 3rd December, with Marta, almost 7 miles.

I drove to Geddington, picked up Marta and went to Pitsford. Walked round anti-clockwise.

It was muddy in places, and quite cold, but not windy. Not far from the Moulton Grange path there was a tree full of gulls. 

 At the causeway lots of lapwings,

.

plus grebes, coots, ducks Canada geese in a procession, 

lovely skies,

still some leaves in autumn finery,

catkins.

We stopped for coffee and a snack at the Causeway car park, then walked on to the cafe for another coffee.

Pickwell walk, in reverse.

 Tuesday 26th November, with Harry.

In the afternoon we went out to Pickwell again,

Still plenty of colour

Frost on the grass in shady places

and did the walk from November 13th in the other direction, wearing wellies thus time - just as well since the ground was pretty muddy, especially the bridleway at the end. Hard work plodding uphill through sticky mud.  

Fab sunset again. 

A very short walk round Eling

 Sunday 24th November 

The weekend of Storm Bert. We seized a window of dry weather.

After breakfast we walked through the churchyard and down to Goatee Beach,

across the bridge near the Tide Mill, and to the marina. 

The wind was blowing, the rain had stopped, the church bells were calling the faithful to the morning service, and the rigging on the sailing boats was playing its metallic music. 

Lots of people out with their dogs.

Pickwell, Cold Overton, Somerby

 Wednesday 13th November 2024. With Harry, just under 5 miles. 

Pickwell church

After lunch we went out to Pickwell, and did the circular walk to Cold Overton and Somerby. We set off at 3pm, returned to the car just before 5. 

A varied walk - the first part between Pickwell and Cold Overton undulates along a bridleway with views over the countryside,

including a glimpse of the windmill at Whissendine.

The windmill, not very clear, in the centre

leaving Cold Overton

The second part was flatter through attractive deciduous woodland

with views of the sky as it glowed onto sunset, and then open meadows where we met some friendly sheep 

and a friendly, though not insistent horse.

Lots of stiles between Cold Overton and Somerby.

As usual Leicestershire’s way-marking was excellent - the yellow posts are generally clearly visible.

Across the ridges and furrows close to Somerby

There was a glorious sunset, and the moon was close to full..

We walked the last half-mile or so as darkness fell. The road from Somerby to Pickwell has an excellent pavement for pedestrians. 

We celebrated with coffee and ginger biscuits back at the car before returning home.

Lyddington to Uppingham

 Tuesday 12th November

With Marta, just over five and a half miles. Weather not so bright as yesterday, but pleasant enough, and warm once we were moving.

We simply followed the road out of the village, past the Waggon Wash, and up hill to the A6003.  I was avoiding the field paths as my boots were still sodden from yesterday.

We turned right along South View, past the cemetery,

and walked round the back streets, past the old grammar school

and the site of the railway station, which Beeching axed in 1964.

We looked into the Scandimania cafe, but it was very full and overheated, so we continued to the 5th element cafe on the main road. Earth, Fire, Air, Water and Coffee. Much quieter, and serving decent coffee and a scone.

A brief wander past the public school, with immaculately kept gardens, then back along the A6003 and down into Lyddington.

Wilbarston to East Carlton and back

 Monday 11th November, with Harry and Maureen

The brightest day we’ve had for a couple of weeks. 

Beautiful views across the Welland valley, blue sky and autumn colours. Fungi.

A sun dog - poorly photographed, fading fast,  on the left above the furthest left part of the building.

This is a short walk, but included around 300 feet of ascent, so we felt reasonably exercised.

The coffee stop at East Carlton, after a walk round the park itself, made a good break at around the three mile mark.