2026, May 11th - Irthlingborough to Rushden Lakes

 Monday 11th May

We picked Norma up at 9.10 and drove to Irthlingborough. We parked near St Peter’s church (free), and met Kate and Maureen. 

We took the path through the churchyard and down the greenway track to the Rushden Lakes shopping centre for coffee. We took the same route back(just over 5 miles in all today)

Quite a few water birds, tufted ducks, swans, coots and mallards. There was a cuckoo calling more consistently and closer than we’ve heard so far this year. Also song thrushes, blackbirds, robins.

It rained  a bit from time to time, but was perfectly walkable, though the wind was chilly at the start.

2026, May 10th - Ring Haw, Old Sulehay,

 Sunday 10th May

After lunch we went to Ring Haw nature reserve, close to Old Sulehay Forest.  We  saw a herd of deer, 

and heard a cuckoo several times. 

 

2026 - May 9th - Old Sulehay Forest and Nature Reserve, near Wansford.

 Saturday 9th May

A warm and sunny morning, coffee outside in the sun, and then lunch before going to Sulehay Old Wood. 

 

We walked around 3 miles - the nature reserve and woodland was full of spring flowers - loads of speedwell, and masses of wild garlic in places as well. In the warmth, we even appreciated the shady woodland.

We will investigate the area to the south (Ring Haw etc.)

In the evening we saw a couple of swifts, and some swallows and martins too. 

2026 - May 4th - Barnsdale bluebells take 4

 Monday 4th May

A rather chilly, grey day - all day.

Four mile walk with Norma, through Barnsdale bluebell woods, including the community orchard then down to the lake. 

The bluebell flowers were fading and weren’t glowing in the dull light.  

We enjoyed the walk, and then indulged in coffee and teacake at the Harbour Cafe.

2026, April 27th, Barnsdale bluebells - take 3.

 Monday 27th April 2026

Harry drove us all out to Whitwell. 

 

We walked from Whitwell through the bluebells, which are just past their peak, though still smelling and looking lovely. 

We went down to the water from the road to Barnsdale car park, then back, using the smaller path through the woods. 

The weather was close to perfect.  We had lunch at the Harbour Cafe.

2026 April 21st - Barnsdale bluebells - take 2.

 Tuesday 21st April

Marta and I walked from Whitwell and through Barnsdale woods. It was noticeably colder than yesterday. 

We walked just over three miles  going higher up into the woods, where an agricultural vehicle had chewed up a lot of the ground - lots of trees planted too. 

We hope they know what they are doing, and will check what it looks like next year!

Compulsory coffee stop at the Harbour cafe which was fully open.

2026 - 20th April - Barnsdale bluebells.

 Monday 20th April

Beautiful sunny morning. We visited Barnsdale Wood at  Rutland Water for coffee and bluebells.

Bluebells and stitchwort.

We gave coffee a miss since there was noisy work going on and just an outside stall. Walked through Barnsdale Woods to entrance and back again.

Under 5 miles.