May 24th - Burghley Park to Stamford

 May 24th 2025 

After lunch we drove to Burghley to park and walk into Stamford.  There’s a lot of activity in the grounds preparing for tomorrow’s “Game and Country Fair”, but we can park as usual and walk as usual, apart from having to dodge a few more vehicles than normal. 

In Stamford we look at Oakham artists’ exhibition. On the way to the main street we notice swifts flying over the town, then go to buy a few cards.

Afterwards we browse without buying in the upmarket and very well-presented cheese shop, Rennet and Rind, then indulge in coffee at the Cafe Black, which is serendipitously dog-free today.

A brisk warm walk back through the park, where the trees are in full lush leaf, and then home, where the resident blackbird lands on the car bonnet waiting for raisins.

After dinner we walked round the village, where quite a number of swifts were flying high up. It had got windier, and the air was damp.

Burghley House to Stamford

 Monday 13th January

A shortish walk, 4 miles with Norma, Kate and Maureen. It was a grey morning, and although last week’s magical frost had gone and it was clearly milder, there was still enough wind to make it feel cold. We went to Burghley Park, where we left the car, admired the mistletoe high in the trees,

the splendid house

and the herd of deer,

lying down near the main path. 

We walked fairly briskly down to Stamford,

via the Meadows, where the river Welland was not looking inviting today. 

 It was not a day for hanging around idly for long.  We stopped for coffee and toast in Café Black, before making our way back, admiring the deer once more.

Burghley to Stamford

 Monday 16th December

I walked with Harry and Kate from Burghley park into Stamford. Wandered round Arts Centre. Went into Cafe Black, then walked across the Meadows and back to Burghley Park. About 4 miles…

Sunny and bright, but the wind was still quite strong

Burghley Park to Stamford

 Tuesday 10th December

I met Marta at Burghley Park - after diverting to Morcott for petrol I arrived as the car just behind her.

The Christmas market stuff was being dismantled, along with several large ‘toy soldiers’.

An icy wind was blowing in our faces to begin with, but after walking briskly we warmed up, and the rest of the walk was more sheltered.

Though it felt as though we arrived in the town in record time!

The river was brown, swirling and very full, and the reflections minimal.

We headed for Scandimania coffee shop -this one is less stuffy than the one in Uppingham. We indulged in coffee and a cake. Then along to Walkers’ bookshop, where I bought a couple of book presents. 

We carried on to the Meadows and walked back round.

The walk back through the park was pleasant - with the wind behind us. 

Just by a sign saying ‘disabled parking’ workers had laid soldiers all in a row.

Probably around 4 miles! 

Burghley Park to Stamford and back.

 Saturday 8th November

With Harry. 3.5 miles (ish).

After lunch we went out to Burghley park, walked into Stamford, had coffee outside Scandi Mania,

and walked back separately as Harry went into the Arts Centre.

Autumn colours, tick;

fungi among the dead leaves,tick;

deer among the trees, tick.

Though still grey and not warm at all.

All back before the “dusk” when the car park is closed. On the way back we decided it was probably the time when the first wild rabbit emerges for its crepuscular forage.

Mon day 8th April 2024 - Burghley and Stamford

Monday 8th April 

I walked with Norma and Harry from Burghley Park into Stamford and round the St Martins area. 

Coffee and teacake at Cafe Black sitting outside in the sun. 

Back via the riverside.

Approx 5 miles.

Some short wanders in March

 4th March :Sunny but with a cold wind. Another Geddington to the Fox and Peony, with Norma and Maureen, where we saw a ‘sun dog’

8th March - a pause on the drive back from Leeds with Harry to explore Pontefract Castle, on a cold windy day. We parked in Tesco car park, and walked across to ethe Castle, in spite of the cold wind. The visitor centre and gift shop were open, but only takeaway coffee from a machine.

11th March - East Carlton park with Maureen.  Drove to collect Maureen and then walk round ECCP and along the road towards Ashley for a mile or so. Weather grey, but dry, and very little wind. 

Thursday 14th - Burghley Park to Stamford and back with Harry.

Sunday 17th - wellies on to Kirby Hall 

Monday 18th - with Kate, Burghley Park to Stamford  and back.

Saturday 23rd Another Burghley Park into Stamford walk with Harry.

Sunday 24th - walk round part of Corby, starting from Aldi.

Monday 25th 2 miles around Barton Seagrave to Wicksteed with Norma and Maureen.

Tuesday 26th - Burghley Park to Stamford again with Marta

Cycling near Boston - Oct 24 - 15 windy miles.

 We escaped for a self-catering weekend - rearranged from earlier in the year when we had hoped to see a show at Blackfriars Theatre. 

Instead we took the bikes and explored a part of the Fens north of where the Welland merges into the Wash. 

I had walked on the southern side five years ago  . 

We cycled from Kirton to Frampton church and along small roads, some of which were part of National Cycle Network Route 1. 

The elevation profile might lead you to think this was an easy ride, but you should never discount the wind in the Fens. All the way to Fosdyke Bridge it was hard work and we were more than ready to stop for a break.

The cafe I visited in 2015 was closed, but as always we had our trusty flask.  Not the most scenic place to stop,  but at least we were sheltered from the gale.

"Be bright, be seen!"

The Welland, looking inland

and out towards the sea

The ride from this point on was much easier wind assisted all the way. 

The view from the apartment