Thursday 12th June
A warm morning with some sun. I walked with Marta from Rushton to Bull Pen cafe. No diversion into Barford Meadows Reserve this time. We passed a field with a large bull, cows and calves. (All behind fences). Another field contained shorn alpacas from Homefield Spa.
Tuesday 20th May
Drove to Marta’s to do walk over to the Bull Pen cafe, through Weekley Hall Wood.
A lovely sunny morning, which warmed up nicely. Quite a few butterflies in the woods - brimstone, a couple of blues and possibly a speckled wood, though it looked slightly more orange.
An over-exuberant Alsatian type of dog jumped up and scraped my arm with its claws - just being over friendly…
Used first aid kit at the Bull Pen, and ended up with a bright blue plaster. In the cafe there was also a woman with a tiny ‘lap dog’, sitting on her knee the whole time. Some places are a little too ‘dog friendly’.
Back to Marta’s for a cold drink before returning home.
Monday 3rd March, with Norma. Beautiful spring morning, after the chilly start.
We followed our usual route, along Grange Road, where we saw what we think was a sparrow hawk (though my phone says buzzard). It was pigeon sized…and posed for a while.
Along the woodland paths the sunlight highlighted plentiful catkins.
We crossed the main road near Glendon Lodge, and called in at the Bull Pen, which seems to be continuing the good work of the Fox and Peony.
On the way back we saw some blackthorn in blossom
Friday 24th January 2025.
As forecast it was certainly windy, but not ferociously so, and the bright sun more than compensated. Marta and I set off well before 10, passing some daffodils just beginning to flower.
We walked three 1/2 miles through Weekley Hall Wood to the outskirts of Kettering.
The return trip was via the slightly shorter route, with the wind behind us. Just seven miles according to my walk app.
Tuesday 5th November
With Marta. 6 miles on a grey, dry day, where even the autumn colours looked muted.
I tried to inject a bit of colour with my headband and earrings.
We took our usual route through the woodland, and had a long coffee break at the local Starbucks, where a few people were working on laptops. A pleasant big space.
On the way back we almost had a glimpse of the sun for about 30 seconds, and there was the faintest promise of blue sky, but then it was gone.
Monday 7th October
6.5 miles.
With Norma, Kate and Maureen. From Geddington village hall, through Weekley Hall wood, to Starbucks this time, avoiding the busy road, and being able to use proper cups outside.
Some autumn yellows beginning to show up in the woodland.
Tuesday 09 July
A damp muggy morning, so much so that we almost caved and headed for a cafe.
I drove to Geddington and we decided to walk a slightly longer route than usual to the Fox and Peony, where we sat outside in the courtyard for a coffee and tea cake.
Lots of flowers and some insects too, and we stayed dry.
We walked almost seven miles.
Monday 27th May
With Norma, Kate and Maureen. Today’s walk went from Rushton to Starbucks, as the Fox and Peony was closed for the bank holiday.
We walked along the track close to the railway, turning left at Glendon Road to cross the bridge and then walk into Prologis Park.
Over the busy road to Starbucks drive-thru, which also has a normal style cafe.
We returned via the slightly longer path past the football pitches. We gave Barford Meadow a miss today. There were cows and alpacas out at Holmefield Wellness centre.
Out at 9.15. Drove to Geddington, where Marta suggested a local walk, to Weekley and then to the Fox and Peony cafe.
A large field starred with cowslips.
Walked back the usual (longer ) way through the wood to Geddington.
Just over 7 miles in all.
Tuesday 9th April
As I drove to Geddington, it was raining, quite heavily for a while. Marta was all ready to walk, so walk we did - to the Fox and Peony.
Weather very cold but bright and sunny.
Norma picked me up at 915 and we met Kate and Maureen at Geddington. We walked through Weekley Hall Wood to the Fox and Peony.
Garrya elliptica - the silk tassel bush.
Monday 20th November
Walk with Norma and Maureen (Norma drove) - Weekley Hall Wood again to Fox and Peony.
6.5 miles
Another beautiful cold, bright morning .
Harry decided to walk with us. We went over to Maureen’s for 930, then drove out to Geddington, and did the walk to the Fox and Peony, through Weekley Hall Wood.
Talked them into letting us use crockery outside, but they still provided us with boxes for teacakes and scones! So half a victory.
Around 7 miles.
