Priors Hall Gullet and Lake

 Tuesday 25th February.

Bright, sunny, with a cold wind.

Marta and I walked just a couple of miles - The first one done at a fair lick along the Southern Gullet path, which was wet in places, then round the estate, returning close to the Lake, where we saw one coot.

We met a friend, Rita,  in the cafe, so today was more a social occasion than serious exercise. 

Fineshade Woods

 With Kate, Maureen and Norma. The weather was good, quite mild, and dry, apart from one shower as we drove back home.

A 3.5 mile stroll around  the tracks through the woods, sort of following Stickman, Wallace and Gromit, and ‘Wellness’ Trails.

We allowed our ‘inner children’ a bit of play today.

We ‘wowed’ at the puddles

the trees

the catkins

and the fungi.

Kate made her own stickman

We had coffee and cake in Grounds cafe, and only as we emerged did the sky turn threatening.

The afternoon brought sunshine again!

Drawing and a stroll at Rutland Water

 Tuesday 18th February

With Harry, Esther, Joseph and Hazel.

First a coffee at Whitwell’s Harbour cafe, where we all sat and drew for a while - the cafe was busy but not crowded.

Then we walked round to Sykes Lane, into the cold wind, and back with the wind behind us. Not far, but enough for an airing.

Aconites near Edith Weston village shop.

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.