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.
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.
Tuesday 12th May
With Marta, Lyddington to Uppingham and back.
The route there was up the hill along footpaths, then over the road and behind the community college playing field.
The path then goes more or less parallel to the main road, past the donkeys.
Then downhill again through a field of sheep and lambs and into Uppingham just below the church.
We had a coffee break (surprise!) with toasted teacake in Esquires. To return we walked along the road, which has decent pavements for walkers.
Almost 4 miles. Well, it’s a leg-stretch!
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.
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.
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.
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.
