Eyebrook

Monday 19 January

A dozen of us today - Norma, Kate, Sue, Chris, Steph, Terry, Phil, Maureen, Gordon, Tommy, Shirley and me. Just under five miles.

Cold, cloudy, some ice on the road section, but a pleasant walk and five of us lunched in the Cottingham community café.

West Deeping and Tallington

Fri, 2015 Jan 16 10:18 AM

Marta and I continue to explore the course of the Welland, and the Stamford Canal. A cold day, but plenty of sun. Around 8 miles of flat walking.

We started our walk from the Boaty, which is on King Street, West Deeping. The path goes along the private road, turning right to run parallel with King Street. Just before the cemetery it turns left, and has a hedge on the right. At the next junction of paths we turned left and followed the path round the corner of the field. The footpath crosses the route of the canal, and continues as far as the railway embankment.

Before 2011 we could have crossed the railway here, but the pedestrian crossings have been closed - not surprising considered the number of trains and their speed.  Here we turned right and walked parallel to the railway to the Stamford Road by the Whistle Stop Inn. We resisted the temptation of a coffee just yet.

Cars were queuing up at the crossing gates, and we walked over the footbridge - 40 steps up and down, and probably the highest point of the walk.  We had time to spare before the gates were opened. We crossed the road and took the footpath through a gate close to the railway on our left. Our walk was parallel to the track for some distance before it turned right and led along the field edges into Tallington.

The obligatory snap of sheep

This pony is really small!

 The path comes out next to a children's play area at the side of the village hall. Here we turned left along Mill Lane, and continued until a sharp left hand bend. Our path turned to the right, and once again we were on the route of the canal, on Millennium Green.

". . .and this be the bed of the Stamford Canal"

 We continued along the footpath to Bainton Road, turned right and then left into Heron's Close - though the name isn't marked. Just to our right there is a fenced garden.

This area contains the remains of Tallington Lock - some of the oldest extant remains of canal locks in Britain.

 There's a convenient sheltered bench, ideal for our coffee break. Warm enough to sit, and try taking selfies! We were only mildly disturbed by high level military aircraft.

Ha! It works!

We strolled around the village to explore, before going to the Whistle Stop Inn for a sandwich. Friendly service and decent food.

At one time we could have made this into a circular walk,  but closed railway crossings meant we did some toing and froing in order to touch base with the river.

No, I don't think there's room to squeeze under the bridge, and it's too cold for a swim!

Back to the road, and we retraced our steps to the Boaty in West Deeping. Then we walked down to the church, and past West Deeping Mill, along the permissive footpath by the mill stream and then the river. The heron we saw didn't wait to be photographed.

Church and mill

From the road bridge over the river.

An enjoyable relaxed walk, with time to explore, and all completed before anything fell from the sky.

Map and details

Through Corby's woods

With Gordon and Maureen - a short wander today. Weather - cold wind, some sun, threatened showers missed us. Just under 4 miles.

Corby Pool

NYC eat your heart out

Some of the paths are rather wet

The pool reflected in the Cube

Green Man of the Woods

A pleasant walk, rounded off with a brief visit to the Boating Lake Cafe.

Map and details

In high Northamptonshire . . . above the Welland valley

With wellies to the Welland

A short wander - about 40 minutes, along the footpath behind Gretton church, across the very wet ridged and furrowed field to the railway crossing, and down to the mighty Welland, which is pretty full at present.
A lovely morning, cold and sunny, had to be seized rapidly before the clouds and sleety rain arrived later.

Wakerley woods to Fineshade and around the woods

With Gordon. Add a couple of miles, as I forgot to start the distance counter until arrived at Fineshade. Do not believe the weather icon here. A blustery day, with some rain on the return leg, but nothing compared to later in the day! Around 6 miles and a bit.

A grey start

The weather didn't look promising, and Maureen couldn't make it today, but we decided to brave the elephants, and follow the route from the car park in Wakerley Woods, along the Jurassic Way, crossing the A43, and on to Fineshade Top Lodge.

The sheep have their food

Snowdrops emerging

Better than walking across ploughed land!

 Then we walked around the woods, turning left past the caravan site, passing the Tree House play area, and after a couple of miles back round to the cafe. 
The rain started while we were inside, but was not much more than drizzle and the route back was fine, though very muddy in places. 



Map and details

Pitsford Water clockwise

Sunday 11th.

More sightings of lapwing and good views of a kestrel hovering. Bright and windy, but chilly, especially when we stopped for a sandwich and ate outside.