2026 - January 12th - Burghley and Stamford

Monday 12th January

Kate, Norma and I went over to Burghley House car park.  We walked into Stamford, spotted snowdrops near entrance to Burghley Park near the Lodge gates. We were passed two or three times by a chap running there. 

We crossed the river at the Meadows, and then had coffee and teacake at the Central Cafe. We noticed what looks like an old milestone on the market place. We wondered why we hadn’t noticed this earlier.  In fact it isn’t old! 

Design

Wolfgang Buttress

The design of the Milestone on Red Lion Square

Craftsmanship

Ana Ruiz

Carving the Milestone on Red Lion Square

Wolfgang was the designer of the whole Gateway project; this award was specifically for the much-admired milestone on Red Lion Square. Ana Ruiz carved the milestone. Unfortunately neither Ana or Wolfgang was able to be with us, and the awards were accepted on their behalf by Graddon Rowlands 

Inscription reads:-

STAMFORD 0 + GEDDINGTON 19 + LINCOLN 55 + GRANTHAM 20 + / NORTHAMPTON 43 + ST OMY STRATFORD 56 + WOBURN 59 + DUNSTABLE 69 / ESTCHEAP 99 + CHARING CROSS 91 + ST ALBANS 75 + WALIOS JOHN O’GR / OATS 583 LINCOLN 55 CAMBRIDGE 45 OXFORD 88 HULL 4 WOBURN 59 Inscription reads:-

STAMFORD 0 + GEDDINGTON 19 + LINCOLN 55 + GRANTHAM 20 + / NORTHAMPTON 43 + ST OMY STRATFORD 56 + WOBURN 59 + DUNSTABLE 69 / ESTCHEAP 99 + CHARING CROSS 91 + ST ALBANS 75 + WALIOS JOHN O’GR / OATS 583 LINCOLN 55 CAMBRIDGE 45 OXFORD 88 HULL 4 WOBURN 59

We walked back through the town, passing a piano busker, before taking the route over the Albert Bridge and through the park. A milder day, though the wind still has a sharpness to it. Lots of deer and sheep.

2026 - 8th January -Market Harborough

 Thursday 8th January

I drove to Market Harborough to meet Marta. 

We walked through Welland Park and to Farndon Fields shop and cafe.

Almost 4 miles.

 

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. 

, 

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.

November 30th 2025 - Eling Marshes and Goatee Beach

 Sunday 30 November 2025

Our annual visit to see the Copythorne Cats panto. We stayed in Eling.

Sunday was a beautiful cold sunny morning. 

We had a slow start, then walked 1.5 miles round Goatee beach and Eling Marshes boardwalk. 

We sat outside (well wrapped up) for coffee and cake.

November 24th 2025 - Pitsford Water.

 Monday 24th November

Norma came round for 9 am to drive out to Pitsford Water. 

 

We walked round  clockwise, without stopping apart from tying up shoelaces. Grey, but no rain, and not too cold for walking. 

We saw egrets, herons, coots, tufted ducks, mallards and gulls, of course.  No lapwings today. We stopped at the cafe (now called the Park Bistro) for lunch - a rather ungainly soft baguette.

Miscellaneous short strolls late October and early November 2025

 Oct 20th 2025. 

Norma collected me at 9.15.We met Kate and Maureen at Priors Hall and walked through South Gullet, then had coffee and a sandwich at the Good Bean. 

A further walk round the Lake and Lake Drive and over towards the newest part of the development.

This made almost 4.5 miles in all. As we reached the cars it began to rain.  

Tuesday 21st October

Met Marta at East Carlton for a short wander round the park - sunny and lots of autumn view.

22nd October

We had a short wander round Market Bosworth with Joe and Migsy.

3rd November 2025 

I went out with kate and Norma to Burghley and walked into Stamford. 

Coffee at Cafe Black. Wandered into a few charity shops in search of a toy bus for a book bag that Kate is making.

4.5 miles in all. Weather dry and grey, but not too cold or windy.

Thursday 6th November 

A wet start. Marta came round and we went to Uppingham. Had a long chat with coffee and tea cake in Esquires, then walked a mile and a half along the Rutland Way and back again - muddy fields today.

 We didn’t go as far as the fine view over Eyebrook.

Monday 10th Nov 2025.

A short walk with Norma and Maureen at East Carlton Country Park

. 

We did about 2 miles, then had coffee and teacakes.

Monday 17th November 2025

We intended to do the Burghley to Stamford walk but the park was closed for setting up the Christmas fair.

 Instead we walked around Stamford, and across the Meadows with Kate and Norma - about 2.5 miles. Coffee and teacakes in central cafe.

Tues 18 November  25 . 

Met Marta at the boating lake at 10 and wandered for about 2.5 miles around Corby, before having a coffee in Esquires