Norma came round at 9.15 and we collected Maureen to do the Weekley Hall Wood walk, from Geddington Village Hall.
There were lots of catkins and thanks to Norma’s prompting, we eventually found some of the red female flowers too, close to the A6003 crossing past the Bull Pen.
We had a long break in the cafe this morning.
Weather was quite dull with a chill in the wind, but the rain held off until we returned to the car. Approx 6.8 miles. More than we’ve done for a while.
Monday 19th
Norma and I went to Market Harborough and walked from the Waterfront, through Welland Park
to Farndon Fields for coffee.
Back at the Waterfront we walked along the canal for a mile or so and back.
About 5.5 miles in all
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.
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.
Monday 6th October
Walk with Harry from Geddington village hall, through the autumnal Weekley Hall Wood. We met Maureen, Kate and Norma at the Bull Pen.
A former colleague was there and recognised us. Quite a long chat, then had to catch the others up again.
Almost seven miles. Glorious weather, a cool wind, but cloudless sky, and warm sun.
A much smoother, flatter walk than over the last two weeks.
September 29th 2025
We decide to do the walk to Lud’s Church via the Roaches, starting from the Upper Hulme Tea room. This has now closed.
Along the road then we took the path to the right between the Roaches and Hen Cloud,
continuing to climb to the ridge and walk along, past Ginny Greenteeth’s pool.
With views of Jodrell Bank
To the trig point
More splendid rocks
Across the road at Roach End, then we followed the path along the ridge, toward Swythamley, with a view of the distant Boseley Cloud.
We turned right to Back Forest and followed the path round to Lud’s Church, which is always impressive.
We completed the loop with the steep climb just before Gradbach Mill, to rejoin the ridge walk and the Roaches.
Just over 8 miles and plenty (almost 1200 feet) of climbing.
We followed the same route as on Oct 14th 2023.
Friday 26th September
A fine day, though there was hardly any sun.
We decided to tackle Shining Tor from Errwood again.
We park at Errwood Reservoir, and follow the path past the ruins of the hall.
Then we take the path crossing the stream,
and up to Foxlow Edge, passing some fly agaric on the way.
Along the road for a short stretch, then we walked up along the ridge with views over to Shutlingslow and Sutton Common
The track goes from Pym’s Chair via Oldgate Nick and Cats Tor, to Shining Tor, where the wind was fierce and cold.
A couple with a dog and binoculars pointed out various landmarks, which were not very visible in today’s haziness. We lunched in the shelter of the wall, then walked directly into the wind, along the path towards the Cat and Fiddle, as far as the junction where our path turned left down to Errwood.
Just before Errwood Hall we took a side path through the woodland, and down to the car park.
6.4 miles and 1050 feet of climbing.
Thursday 14th August
Almost 8 miles. We walked over to Testwood Lakes, where we had a coffee from the flask.
A Sailability session was in progress. A retired OS worker came over and talked to us a while.
We continued round the northern end of the lake, and down across the bridges
(one of which was blocked…) and then past Nursling Mill.
Our return route was via the Test Way, close to the railway and Nature Reserve.
We spent a while picking two tubs full of rather excellent blackberries. Quality was carefully tested as we picked. Another pause on a bridge to load them properly in the backpack and drink some water.
On a little further along a shaded (and in places muddy!) path, then along the boardwalk. One section was broken and missing.
Through to Totton Civic Centre and park area, and into town to buy sandwiches and a lead to recharge my phone. Back to devour food and drink more water, before returning home via Rum Walk.
Monday 09 June
Harry collected Maureen and drove us to Seaton. She presented us with scones and a ginger cake. He dropped us off near the pub. We walked through the village past a display of perennial sweet peas which outshone even ours at home.
At the end of the village we took Grange Road downhill and along the public footpath, through fields and past Prestley hill - one of the twins peaks, or paps of Lyddington.
