Weekley Hall Wood from Geddington

 Tuesday 5th November

With Marta. 6 miles on a grey, dry day, where even the autumn colours looked muted. 

I tried to inject a bit of colour with my headband and earrings.

We took our usual route through the woodland, and had a long coffee break at the local Starbucks, where a few people were working on laptops. A pleasant big space.

On the way back we almost had a glimpse of the sun for about 30 seconds, and there was the faintest promise of blue sky, but then it was gone.

The brightest coloured leaves were on a plum tree in a garden!

Empingham to Normanton car park and back

Monday 4th November

With Kate. A 6 mile there and back walk, with a coffee break at the Harbour Cafe.     

Everywhere was calm and mild, no wind, but grey.

Pickwell, Leicestershire

 Friday 1st November 2024

With Harry, probably a little over a mile. 

Behind the church…

This was a very short stroll from outside All Saints church, along Main Street, 

Possibly the entrance to the old vicarage? A grand house anyway.

and then part way along the bridleway which leads towards Cold Overton.

Slightly muddy in places, but at the highest point there are wide views over the countryside, and a glimpse of Whissendine windmill among the trees.

Then another quick view of the big house’s drive way.

and Strawberry Court - a mews-like area.

Gretton to Spanhoe Lodge - 21st Oct 2024

 Monday 21st October, with Norma and Kate.

A flat walk along the ridge above the Welland valley. Around 7 miles.

We walked from Gretton to Spanhoe Lodge in spite of mud on the farm track at the start.

If we dodged the puddles the brambles got us!

Decent views over the valley from further along.  There are some fence structures on the fields, which look like enclosures for trees, though we saw no trees.  

Spanhoe Lodge was open and welcoming, and preparing for Christmas!

We had coffee and bara brith. One of the owners is Welsh and bakes it.  

After a longish break, we walked the 3 miles or so back to Gretton. On the way back, through the small wooded area, Norma spotted an unknown tree, which looks quite exotic.

A short stroll along Rutland´s quiet roads near Wing.

 Friday 11th October 2011

A beautiful day with blue skies and small clouds, in Rutland’s rolling countryside.

From a spot near Glaston, down the hill,

over the railway bridge with view to the tunnel entrance, down hill, over the tributary stream to the Chater, then a long steady walk uphill to Wing.

We pass the maze on our left, and turn left at the junction,

to go past the village hall and the church,

and a field where a few sunflowers are still flowering.

The road bends left and we pass the stall selling “Butt Nuggets”

and cross the railway again.

At the junction we turn left and follow this small road downhill then up again

to where it joins the road we took to Wing earlier. 

Here we turn right and return to our starting point.

Distance, probably around 2 miles.

Preston church spire on the skyline

A lone pheasant

The Welland viaduct on the drive home.

Road walk by Eyebrook Reservoir

 Wednesday 9th October, with Harry. Almost 6 miles.

Since we can unfortunately no longer walk round the reservoir track, we did a there-and-back walk along the road, which is not too busy.

Geddington to Kettering (Starbucks!).

 Monday 7th October 

6.5 miles.

With Norma, Kate and Maureen. From Geddington village hall, through Weekley Hall wood, to Starbucks this time, avoiding the busy road, and being able to use proper cups outside.

Some autumn yellows beginning to show up in the woodland.