Tilton and Skeffington

Monday 30 December, with Harry. Just over 9 miles in cold bright sun

The route I have walked several times in the recent wet conditions.

Tilton and Skeffington again

With Eddie.  Monday 16 December.

Church of St Thomas a Beckett, Skeffington

Colborough Hill and Whatborough Hill

Tilton, Skeffington, Marefield

Monday 25 November 2019.  The same route as these walks.
Just over 10 miles, with Maureen and Kate. The weather was dull and misty, and in the last hour of the walk turned to rain.



We walked to Skeffington, first, and had an early break before continuing. 

Frilly fungi

Colborough Hill

The final mile or so was the hardest - a muddy farm track, with two fords. Luckily I had thought to bring a potting compost sack in lieu of a Sir Water Raleigh style cloak, so the feet were kept dry! 

After the second ford the track made its way steadily uphill, and there were several large puddles to negotiate.

We had lunch at Buttercups Tea Room.

Tilton, Skeffington, Marefield - walked twice, once in reverse.

Walked on Monday 28 October with Harry. About 9 miles. Mostly quiet roads, farm tracks and a disused railway line. Underfoot was good apart from the last section of the track - the last mile of the walk involved crossing a ford - very wet!

The old school, Tilton

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Whatborough Hill

Skeffington church

Disused railway line

Wednesday 30 October 
The same walk in reverse with Marta.

Feeding time for the sheep

A stile-ish break

fungi

artifical deer

Skeffington church

An unusual thatched figure in Skeffington

Tilton church

Tilton church

Goadby, Cranoe, Glooston, Stonton Wyville, Noseley

Thursday 26 September, with Harry and Eddie. A slightly more rolling terrain than of late, but the highest point is no more than 520 feet above sea level. Just over 9 miles. 

We walked out of Goadby along the road to Cranoe and Glooston, turning off to the left just after Pine Tree Stud, and walking along a rougher track going uphill towards Hallaton.

At the high point we turned right along the Midshires Way (and Leicestershire Round) and reached the road a couple of hundred yards outside Cranoe. We turned away from the village and took the quiet road to Glooston.
At the crossroads we went straight on, passing the pub and the church, hidden away among the trees close to the village hall. 

Then it was across the fields to Stonton Wyville.  We missed the turning here, but found our way back on to the minor road. 

Too late with the photo, but this was how we reached the road.

The road becomes a track, then footpath, then bridleway. When we met the bridleway we turned left heading downhill to a stream, then up (over a large and luckily dry, ploughed field) towards the edge of Noseley Wood.

Through some parkland and fields, and along a farm road past Noseley Hall, which is secluded and hidden by trees, and we eventually arrived at The Avenue, the road which goes down gently past the entrance to the hall, then Nether Cottages. We stayed on the road until we came to Goadby Hill, where we turned right and climbed up to the village. We made a small detour to visit the church, one of several in the area with an open bell tower.

An impressive carved chair in Goadby church.

Tilton circular via Maresfield viaduct, and Lowesby

Thursday 06 June. With Harry, Maureen and Eddie. Just over seven and a half miles. Fine weather, dry underfoot, but some crop-dodging still needed close to Lowenva Lodge.
Basically the same route as on Monday, with a couple of wrinkles ironed out, and we didn't walk an extra half mile just before the end this time! 

Downhill to start with towards Red Lodge Farm, with great views ahead. 

 A bridge crosses the dismantled railway - well below. We didn't scramble down.

 The viaduct - and we did scramble up...quite tricky.

Photo by Harry Hamill

Photo by Harry Hamill

 Time for a spot of golf.

 The short stretch of road looks a bit ravilious.

 Pheasant on a mission at Lowesby

 Ready for the off again?

Old signal box -photo by Eddie McGeown

 Novel nest box at the old station.

Donkey at Buttercups Tea Room, oh , and Harry.