Tilton on the Hill, Marefield, Owston, Halstead

With Norma. A dry day which grew sunnier and warmer as we walked. Just under 9 miles, and about 500 feet of ascent. Undulating, I guess.

From Tilton we walked along Marefield Lane, which drops down to the valley. When the road bent to the right, we took the bridleway to Marefield. There is also a footpath that i may investigate in future.

The bridleway reaches the road and here we turned left into Marefield, and continued under the railway bridge. Shortly afterwards we took a small road to the right, towards Twyford.
After almost a mile we followed a footpath on the right. This took us along the bottom of a field. The cows showed no interest in us. We continued past a few sheds and under a viaduct. All around were plenty of meadow browns, an occasional red admiral, possibly a skipper of some kind, a small coppery butterfly - all moving too fast for my limited stock of patience!

The footpath continues in more or less the same direction for  a mile or so, though we did skirt round the first big field, and then found the original line to follow. Leicestershire's yellow marker posts are always a great help.

Norma thinks this would be a grand garden ornament

Looking back to the viaduct

 We crossed a small road at White House Farm, and followed the bridleway for a short distance, before the footpath turns left towards Newbold Grange Farm. Again, we had no problems with route finding.

At the road past the farm we turned right and continued past Newbold Farm. The main road swings to the left, but our route is through the gate and straight ahead down the hill.
We found a pleasantly shaded spot to have a break, just round the corner before we went on to the gated road.

Down the hill and through another gate, and we were looking for our path to the left. The finger post was there, but we wandered very slightly off track before finding the route - which was clearly marked, but we hadn't spotted it on the other side of a large bush. It was very easy to follow into Owston. We gave the church a miss, and took the footpath to the right from Main Street, going south west for a good couple of miles. 

Some of the paths were struggling against nature's claims, but at least they were clear.
We passed a couple of ponds, with water birds and their young, and dragon and damselflies.

We might have been tempted - but there were no oars.

Paths were all clear, though we had visions of a mad unicyclist with Boudica-style knives carving this one out - narrow and not quite straight.

 We had noticed a stream and contours on the map - it hadn't marked the lush growth of nettles, brambles and briars.  I have met far worse - this was not impassable, but it was a good excuse for another brief pause.

Looking towards Whatborough Hill

 The final couple of miles took us past Halstead House Farm, and on to the road to Tilton. A path to the right to Marefield Lane brought us back to the start of the walk.

Lunch at the Orchard Cafe at Welland Vale Garden Centre rounded off the walk.

See also this walk from Feb 2013.

On the bikes to Fineshade

Since our daughter, Esther,  was riding from Seascale to Whitby in the day (almost 150 miles), we came out in sympathy and did a sporting 18 miles up to Fineshade Woods.
We paused for a cold drink, and rode over to Kings Cliffe, and back via Blatherwycke, Bulwick and Deene.
Rather hillier than our ride along the Vistula earlier in the week, and the wind was against us for most of the ride.
We saw the usual red kites,  and a fair number of Speckled Wood butterflies. A decent leg stretch.

A bike ride from Krakow to Tyniec Abbey

This route is about nine miles each way. We hired trekking bikes from Cruising Krakow, and they were pretty decent.  The cycle path beside the Vistula is easy to follow apart from one short section where you join a road, and then turn off again along a side street.

It was very pleasant, and there were plenty of cyclists using the path.  At the riverside just below the abbey is a very convenient snack bar where we bought coffee and a large bottle of water to supplement what we had brought with us.

The mighty Wisła

Our hired steeds

View from the abbey

The distant Tatras

There has been an abbey on the site since the eleventh century. More details here

Tyniec Abbey, perched above the river

Farmland, people fishing and the village of Piekary

 We spent a couple of hours at the abbey, enjoying the peace, which was shattered a few times by the noise of jet-skis on the river below!   There is a cafe, and a courtyard/cloister with seats. 

A limestone outcrop by the Vistula, not far from Tyniec.

The ride back, with the wind behind us was quick and simple.  A most enjoyable day out from the city.
Back in the city we were entertained by the usual masses of swifts careering round and round. They seem to nest in the towers near the cathedral and Wawel castle. 

Ridlington - Belton circular

With Maureen and Marion. 6.4 miles. A grey day, damp underfoot, but no real rain while we were out. The same route as recent walks.

Belton church, halfway through the walk

On the last lap, just coming into Ridlington

Creaton, Cottesbrooke and Hollowell - two walks

'Tuesday 30 May, with Marta  - just under 5 miles, since we took a wrong turn and ended up near Creaton, so decided to give Hollowell a miss.  Fine, hot weather.

Fallen blossom

Spotted sheep

Cottesbrooke Hall

Chimneys

Guardian of the gate

Cottesbrooke church

Creaton chruch

Thursday 01 June, with Maureen. We adapted the route and made sure we included Hollowell. Six and a half miles.

Green lane on the way to Hollowell from Cottesbrooke

Hollowell

Village hall

On both occasions we found good lunch spots in nearby Brixworth.

Belton in Rutland, Ridlington - three walks over same route.

Tuesday 23 May.
With Marta.

Thursday 25 May with Maureen.

Monday 29 May with Norma. This time in reverse direction.
About six and a half miles.
.

I have never seen sheep with such regular patterns before! 

Stamford Canal

Monday 22nd May.
With Maureen and Norma. 
The same route as on April 4th, and April 10th - about 6 and a half miles.
Not many photos as I was in a hurry to get back.