Aldwincle - Islip - Aldwincle

Almost exactly the reverse of this walk from January 23rd.  About 6 miles. Led by Gordon. Sunny, though some of the route was flooded, so we took the high road.  Barrie E, Barry O, Terry, Eddie, Norma, Kate and me.

A little bit of fence climbing round the submerged path

Map and details  ignore anything after the 6 mile mark!

Hambleton peninsula - Rutland Water

We drove out to Hambleton and parked by the road out of the village - ok on a quiet rainy Thursday in April - probably impossible on a sunny Sunday in July or August!  Just over six and a half miles, with Maureen, Barry and Gordon.  Fine, with one brief shower.

As well as the scenery we were treated to some great birdsong - I think the most tuneful was a great tit, but the chaffinch was a close second.

A fine specimen - stone cockerel - in welly boots?

We walked back through the village and turned right along a muddy footpath downhill between fences, and then across a field (wet on this occasion) joining the main cycle track at a corner.

Waterside woodland carvings

Then we followed the path through some woodland until we met the road. We decided to go down to the spot where it disappears under water, and there is now a convenient bench.
After this we returned to the main route, which took us through more bluebell woods, not yet quite at their peak and round to the road to Hambledon Old Hall.

Not a bad spot to live?

At this point the first real rain of the morning started, so we donned waterproofs, and continued on the track across the road.  The wind was strong enough to blow the shower away rapidly.

Be prepared!

A stone figure in need of some waterproofs?

When we reached the main road we decided against a walk to Egleton - too much walking at the side of the road.  So back to the car, following the cycle track until we met the path we'd come down earlier.

Back to the car . . . and a slice of birthday cake - thank you, Maureen, and I agree, birthdays should be extended over at least three weeks. Happy Birthday to Maureen as well!

The rain held off,  and the drive home was dry and clear.

Now, as I write this I can hear the rain hammering on nearby conservatory roofs.


map and details

For more fanciful accounts see this post and the preceding one on my alithoughts blog.

Kinder Scout mass trespass

A reminder of the action of those men and women from Manchester and Sheffield who challenged the gamekeepers and landowners of the grouse moors on  24 April 1932, eighty years ago.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/apr/23/peak-district-mass-trespass-planning-laws


Thank you.

Fineshade Woods

A walk round the woods - about 3 miles or so in an hour.  We saw an orange tip butterfly, and heard a few birds, but mostly just enjoyed the air.

Thurleigh Circular walk

Led by Barry, with me, Gordon and Eddie.  Mostly fine, variable temperature - some muddy fields! Grr! 

Just over 9 miles. 

Off we go - wagons roll - 'aroo ah???'

Thurleigh church

artefacts to be discovered by future alien cilivisations

More traces of lost cultures

Ready for a shower

No obstacle too great!

Some llamas at Thurleigh Farm park - on our way back!

Map and details

Pitsford Water circuit

cowslips are everywhere this week

Just visible - a hovering kestrel.

7 miles in bright sunshine, with clouds and a chill wind. With Marta







Map and details  No we didn't walk on water, as you'll see if you use the satellite view.

Old, Mawsley Village, back of Lamport, Scaldwell, Old

Led by Barry, with Gordon and me.  About 8 miles - dry, cloudy this morning, and sticky mud in some of the fields. A sharpish wind too.

grove and mound near Lamport Hall

Scaldwell church

Map and details

Geddington, Newton, and back via Geddington Grange

Probably 3 miles or so.  A short pre-lunch walk of about an hour and a half.  We chickened out of the drive over to Daventry.  The weather was warmer and drier than forecast, but there was a downpour after lunch - first real rain for ages.

Tiny Shetland ponies

Some local history - from tough times

Gretton - Kirby Hall and back

5 miles or so - forgot to take the the machine that measures.  Around ten of us - I wasn't leading and didn't count. Norma, Karen, Phil, Steph, Ian, Carol, me, Barry E, and a couple of others I may have missed out.  Fine weather, still sunny, though clouds were coming in.  It was very dry underfoot.

A walk arranged with the usual crew, a stroll not a march in April. We amble along the dusty track, through the gate, down the hill, over the four-stile obstacle and up the field, through the new gate that has replaced the decrepit stile and down to Kirby Hall where the gift shop is open early for Easter holiday visitors, convenient for a very early coffee stop. A peacock greets us, but refuses to display his many-eyed tail, even in the presence of a pale peahen.

We go up the hill to the road, and cross. Our path leads us to a building site. Yet more commercial development – for all the jobs that are coming this way some time in the future. Further on is the race-track, another ugly scar, which promised the earth – you can’t fight progress and money.

After a brief stop to eat bananas, we walk along past the new composting plant – the smell is not bad just now, but can be ferocious in the summer. The path is clear, apart from one field where the farmer hasn’t made it good – we know where it should be and head straight across, though, in a few weeks, we’ll be forced to walk round.

Two and a quarter hours, about five miles and we’re home and dry in time for another coffee.

a familiar walk

but everything changes

a constant complaint

too busy chatting

wrapped up in ourselves

up there were skylarks

The route was like this one, most of the way, but in reverse, and without the mini-detour to Priors Hall wooden bridge.