2026 - June 11th - Attingham Park

Thursday 11th June 2026

Harry’s friend Joe suggested a visit to a National Trust place 10 miles from where we were staying  - Attingham Park. 

We had spent the wet morning inside, but went there for lunch.

The rain stopped so we went for a four mile walk round the park   including the old (American) airbase from WW II, and the deer park.

We saw plenty of birds and squirrels in the woodland areas. 

Finally we called in to the walled garden.

 This was impressive with perennial geraniums, Canterbury bells (white and blue) and the like, plus fig trees and other fruit trees.

There were good views of the local hills on the way back.

2026 - June 10th - Ironbridge evening wander

 

Wednesday 10th June 2026

We drove over from home, and once settled in we had a short evening walk along the old railway track into the town, via the famous Iron Bridge.

 We climbed the (approximately) 110 steps to the church 

followed by 30 or 40 more. Still, you get a grand view!

2026 - June 1st - Gretton to Lyddington and back

 Monday 1st June

Just me and Norma , so we walked from Gretton using the path from Church Gap to Thorpe by Water.  The footpath crosses the railway line, then it goes downhill to a stile, and on to the track by the Welland.  Another couple of fields, and we cross the footbridge over the river.

We go through Thorpe by Water, then cross the B672 to join the minor undulating road into Lyddington.  

There we have a coffee at the Old White Hart.  We decide to return via same route, rather than take the alternative along the roads. 

 6 + miles. 

he weather was pretty warm, but much better for walking than last week.

2026 - May 25th Fineshade Woods

 Monday 25th May

Norma drove us out to Fineshade, where we walked for just over 5 miles. The last mile or so was in hot sun, but we managed mostly to keep under some shade. the cuckoo was in fine voice near Dumb Bob Spinney.  Lunch and coffee at Grounds. 

2026 May 22nd - Northampton. Becket’s Park to Delapre Abbey and back

Friday 22nd May 2026

The car was parked at Midsummer Meadow Car park. From there we walked through Becket’s Park and across the Nene to the University of Northampton Waterside Campus.

We passed the Student Union in the Engine Shed 

and on to Delapré Abbey via tree-shaded paths and a walled garden.

.  

We had a decent coffee in the Orangery cafe.

We returned and sprawled on the grass for a while, then picked up a lunch at the Pavilion cafe in Becket’s Park.

A gentle three miles or so. The map shows just our return walk.

2026 - May 21st - Gretton to Kirby Hall

 

Thursday 21st May

Bright morning. 

I walked with Marta to Kirby Hall along the usual track, and through a field of young cows who showed little interest in us. 

We returned via the public footpath from Gretton brook Road, across the fields, then round to the pocket park. 

We stopped at Lydia’s for coffee and Eddie and Charlotte were there. 

2026, May 18th Rushton to the Bull Pen via Barford Meadows

 Monday 18th May

Walk with Norma, Maureen and Kate from Rushton round the Barford Meadows Nature Reserve, and to the Bull Pen. 

The cafe was very full, warm and noisy. Back via shorter direct route.

About 4.5 miles in all.

We took our routine evening walk round the village. A few swifts were flying around, and just as we’d decided to go home, we saw quite a crowd of bats in the chapel graveyard.