May 20th - Geddington to Bull Pen

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. 

Geddington through Weekley Hall Wood to the Bull Pen

 Monday 31st March

Got up at around 7.30 new time.

Norma picked me up at 9.30, then Maureen and we went out to Geddington.

We parked at the village hall and walked to Bull Pen through Weekley Hall Wood

which was looking very springlike, with celandines, primroses and wood anemones.

We heard a woodpecker drumming, and saw several butterflies - a comma, a few whites at least one of which was a small white, and brimstone in amongst the blackthorn blossom, pussy willows and catkins. 

Coffee and teacake at the Bull Pen, the cafe which has replaced the Fox and Peony.

About 6.5 miles. Perfect for a spring stroll

Geddington through Weekley Hall Wood to the Bull Pen café and back

 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

and a brimstone butterfly - my first of the year.

Geddington to Kettering via Weekley Hall Wood

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.

We ventured over the main road to look at the ex Fox and Peony to check what is happening. It will be a bistro/bar/cafe called the Bull Pen. Not open yet, so we went to Starbucks, which was surprisingly full to start with. We had a decent break, and some Spanish practice. 

The return trip was via the slightly shorter route, with the wind behind us. Just seven miles according to my walk app.

Weekley Hall Wood from Geddington

 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.

The brightest coloured leaves were on a plum tree in a garden!

Geddington to Kettering (Starbucks!).

 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.

9th April 2024 - Geddington to Fox and Peony.

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.  

Around 5 miles there and back. There was no more than an odd spot of drizzle on the way.

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