The weather was perfect for a January walk – cold and frosty at the start but lovely and sunny. Ten of us met up in Worthington and our leader this month was Jane. We started off along the Ivanhoe Way which eventually led us to Priory Golf Course and then into Breedon. After a short distance we took a footpath that led us directly up to Breedon Church. It was a short steep climb but we had lovely views to look at every time we stopped to get our breath back! After a ‘banana break’ in the churchyard we took a path downwards and eventually found ourselves back on the golf course. We walked through Wilson village and shortly afterwards joined the Cloud Trail and stayed on this all the way back to Worthington. It was a nice easy walk on the trail, a former railway line to Derby, but there were interesting sights along the way - a couple of unusual pieces of artwork, the old Tonge and Breedon station now converted into a lovely home and the remains of the Tonge and Breedon railway bridge.

A group picture

The former Tonge and Breedon station

An unusual sculpture on the Cloud Trail

Breedon on the Hill church from the Cloud Trail

For the final outing of 2011, the Medium and Long Walks Groups joined together in Newtown Linford on 2nd December. Les Unwin had kindly agreed to lead the walk by fourteen members from both groups. On a sunny morning, we walked in and around Bradgate Park for approximately 5 miles, keeping up a brisk pace. It was all very enjoyable.
After the walk, everyone relaxed at The Bradgate with a delicious carvery meal, Christmas crackers and plenty of festive cheer

Members of the Medium and Long Walks Groups enjoying winter sunshine in Bradgate Park

On the 4th of November the Medium Walks group awoke to pouring rain and a doubtful forecast, however, after a few telephone calls, it was agreed that we would still go on our walk, which was to be led by Sue. We met up at Sutton Wharf and set off along the canal towpath, and were immediately struck by the high level of the water. We then came away from the canal and walked through Dadlington village, past St. James Church where many of the dead from the Battle of Bosworth were buried. It was granted a Chantry Foundation in 1511 which was later suppressed in 1547 by King Edward VI. Shortly afterwards we were walking through Stoke Golding village which led us back to the canal. After passing under a few bridges we set off across several fields to reach Shenton where we stopped to eat our lunch. We continued on to Shenton Station and into the Bosworth Battlefield site. We walked up Ambion Hill and admired the new sundial feature. The path then led us to the canal once more and very soon we were back at Sutton Wharf. No one was in a rush to hurry off so we enjoyed a well earned cup of tea in the little cafe there, and congratulated ourselves on not listening to the weather forecast.
We all got into our cars and set off for home and immediately noticed rain on the windscreen which in no time turned to quite a deluge. How lucky were we!

An unconventional tufted duck

Dadlington Church

Strolling along the canal

An unusual picnic spot!

A steam train on the Great Central Railway line

Our banana break

A glimpse through the railings of the Swithland Quarry pool

Woodhouse Eaves church above an ancient rock formation

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