2026 - 5th January - East Carlton Park

 Monday 5th January

I went out with Norma and Kate - a short stroll ( 1.5 miles) in the cold at East Carlton, before coffee and teacake in the cafe.

December 26th 2025 - our Boxing Day walk

 Friday 26th December

A chilled out late start to the day. After coffee we decided to do at least part of our standard Boxing Day walk, and ended up doing the entire 8 miles or so. I think the first time we did the entire walk was in 2021, but it doesn’t seem to be blogged!

Today the weather was duller and colder, but perfectly fine for walking. We had a pause on Castle Hill to admire the view. 

We had another pause in Breamore church - St Mary’s - with its Saxon doorway.

Back to Bert’s cottage and a quick bread and cheese snack in lieu of a late lunch.

We walked about 8 miles in all  - I hadn’t switched the app on to begin with.

December 2025 - Fordingbridge and Totton

 A few short wanders…

December 21st: A beautiful sunny morning walk round Fordingbridge, coffee in small cafe, Bridges Cafe.

Then over to Esther’s for lunch and a short walk with dog and drones.

and back for a game of ‘Ransom Notes”.

December 23rd - another stroll…

 

and some old-fashioned shopping.

24th December

Driving back through Brook, we had all our pigs in a row

December 15th 2025 - Burghley House to Stamford.

 Monday 15th December 2025

Burghley House to Stamford with Kate.

 

Harry met us at the Garden Cafe. I made the mistake of ordering a hot chocolate - far too sweet!

Then we decided to lunch at the Cosy Club, and do a bit of shopping.

December 8th 2025 - Empingham to Whitwell Harbour Cafe

 Monday 8 December 2025

Norma, Kate and I  walked from Empingham via Nook Lane and the Rutland Round footpath through the wood, and up to the north end of the dam. We followed the path, past Sykes Lane, and round as far as the Whitwell  water sports area. 

 We indulged in coffee and teacakes in the festive Harbour Cafe,

 before returning to Empingham along the same route.

The weather improved with some blue sky and sunshine, good temperature for walking, and little wind.   A gentle 5 miles, in pleasant conditions.

December 5th 2025, Sence Valley Forest Park.

 Friday 5th December.

We visited Joe and Migsy near Market Bosworth.

This time we did a two mile walk round the Sence Valley Forest Park, near Ibstock.

**Discover Sence Valley’s history, take a walk or spot some wildlife

Located north-west of Leicester, discover Sence Valley’s history. Once part of a large coal mine that closed in 1996, Forestry England planted 98,000 trees in 1998, transforming the valley into a haven for wildlife and visitors. In 2018  a further 48 hectares (102 acres) of the original opencast was acquired which has now been planted with 100,000 trees which will develop into a mature woodland. A Cherry Tree avenue has also been created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the forming of the Forestry Commission. 

Explore the mixed forest on our network of trails or test your navigation skills around the wood on our orienteering courses. A bird-spotter’s paradise, 150 bird species have been recorded in the area so make sure to stop by the bird hide and viewing screen to try and spot the rare diving birds or the grebes!

December 1st 2025 - Eling and Sunnyfields Farm shop.

 Monday Dec 1 2025 

Coffee and chill morning, then out for a wander round Eling and over to Sunnyfields Cafe for lunch of avocado toast with falafel and roasted tomatoes, plus chips.

 Our route - along Eling Hill, taking the public footpath through woods by the cemetery. 

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then over some soggy fields to meet the Marchwood bypass.

Turn left, walk facing traffic with a narrow verge alongside, just round corner to entrance to Sunnyfields. Route back along the road for a shorter distance with a wider verge, turn left along a quieter road, past the King Rufus, turn left again along Eling Hill. The way back was much better, luckily, as darkness was starting to fall.