5 Milers - July's Walk

Owing to the very hot weather we experienced on the Monday prior to the walk a decision was made by Ann and Evelyn to alter the walk to an area where we were sure to get some shade. This turned out to be a good decision and everyone enjoyed the walk in the Calke area taking in the Tramway and the woods which gave us pleasant relief in the shade. A Pizza lunch was enjoyed by all at the Milking Parlour afterwards and of course a well earned drink from their own brewery.

5 Milers - June's Walk

Although it was torrential rain whilst driving to the meeting point of the Willington Wetlands, everyone put their trust in the weather forecast saying the rain would stop at 10 a.m and it did. The group were able to have a most enjoyable and informative walk in sunshine led by Lynda who was very knowledgeable about the area , in particular about Brian the Beaver and his antics.

Willington Wetlands

River Trent

Trent and Mersey Canal

5 Milers - May's Walk

The walk started from the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubliee Woods in Heather and headed towards Normanton Le Heath Church. Carrying on through fields and woodland towards Alton Grange and Back through Jubliee woods. We had glorious sunshine all the way and an enjoyable lunch afterwards at Cattows Farm.

5 Milers - April's Walk

5 Milers - March's Walk

Our well attended March walk started from the Lakeside Bistro at Moira and was led by Alison. We started off by heading to the Ashby Canal and by way of the Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail to Spring Cottage Road. After walking a short way along the road we headed to Conkers Waterside, where we had Banana Break at a pleasant spot by the water, then to Moira Furnace and back to the Bistro where many of us enjoyed an excellent lunch. The weather was sunny and the ground conditions were good making for a lovely walk.

The Ashby Canal

The Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail

Just after Banana Break at Conkers Waterside

Moira Furnace

5 Milers - February's Walk

The February 5 Milers was led by Owen B. On a cold but dry morning we started from the George and walked mainly on pavements and quiet lanes, to avoid mud, through Coleorton, Peggs Green and Swannington passing various points of interest on the way. At the remains of Aquaduct Road bridge, which once carried the Coleorton Railway (horse drawn), group member Owen Lynch kindly showed us family photos showing the bridge before partial demolition C1948. We continued on to "Banana Break" at Hough Mill and then made our way back along Limby Hall Lane, The Rowlands, Moor Lane, Preston's Lane and a through a short stretch of ancient woodland to the George for an excellent lunch. The distance was five miles and there was one stile. Photo - The group on Preston's Lane before going through the woods back to the George.

5 Milers - January's Walk

The January 5 Milers was led by Owen and started from the Curzon Arms in Woodhouse Eaves. The route took us up a track through fields to the Beacon Hill Country Park. We then walked on a good path around the park stopping on the way for Banana Break at picnic tables in the upper car park . Having left the park we made our way back to the pub by a different route and enjoyed an excellent lunch. The distance was 4.6 miles. We started off in lovely sunshine but it clouded over and we were a bit concerned when the snow started to fall; it didn't last however. The ground conditions were typically winterish with muddy and icy patches.

Walking in the winter sunshine

Banana Break on Beacon Hill

The group with the remains of snowmen

5 Milers - December's Walk

The group enjoyed Bradgate park and thankfully good walking weather.

5 Milers - November's Walk

The weather was kind this month. All enjoyed the walk and lunch after at the Ferrers.

5 Milers - September's Walk

Our walk to Blackfordby which we enjoyed in fine weather finishing with a pub lunch in the Black Lion

5 Milers - August's Walk

14 members joined the walk around the Groby pool / Bradgate park area of wonderful countryside.rounded off nicely with a pub lunch at the Stamford arms.

Groby Pool

Bradgate Park

5 Milers - July's Walk

5 Milers - June's Walk

Our June walk was led by Tony from Brascote. 13 walkers enjoyed a lovely walk starting from Brascote and heading through fields, woods and country lanes to Kirby Mallory and back. The countryside was full of lush summer growth and some nice views. Many awkward stiles, 5.5 miles and some light rain later, those of us that wanted to were able to enjoy a well earned lunch at The Gate at Osbaston.

5 Milers - March's Walk

20 walkers enjoyed a relatively mud free walk on Tuesday 5th March! We were very lucky, it was a lovely, relatively mild and still day for us. Having set off from the Outwoods, we made our way to Beacon Hill Country Park and began the long ascent up to the Beacon. The effort was rewarded with a fabulous view when we reached the top and could enjoy our banana break. The descent was very easy and we again entered the Outwoods on the return journey. Several walkers opted not to do the last mile stretch inside the woods, but some of us continued not quite knowing how much mud we would encounter, but it wasn't bad at all. The morning walk was finished off for the majority of us by a very pleasant meal at The Bulls Head at Abbots Oak..

5 Milers - Decembers's 'Walk'

Unfortunately due to bad weather conditions our December walk was cancelled, but 21 of us met for lunch to finish off the year. Our venue, a new one for the group, was The Milking Parlour at The Tollgate Brewery on the Calke Estate. We all collected our drinks and entered the rustic Milking Parlour where the wood fired oven was ready to start cooking our pizzas. They were in plentiful supply and I think we had a taste of every pizza on the menu which was shared around the tables. All were very tasty and included some unusual ones, pigs in blankets, winter spiced beetroot and lamb madras to name a few. Delicious! I think we all agreed it was a good place for a return visit but maybe better suited to the summer as there is a large outdoor seating area.

The group all gathered around the huge Christmas tree in the middle of the barn which added to the festive atmosphere

5 Milers - Septembers's Walk - from Osgathorpe to Belton - 2023

5 Milers - August's Walk - from Smisby - 2023

On 1st August thirteen walkers set off from Smisby, past the village lock-up and through the churchyard, to explore the surrounding area. They walked through a mixture of fields and woodland with some good views, and past several pools. Although it was a cloudy day with a little drizzle for a few minutes early on, the temperature gradually rose and by the time of our banana break coats were being removed. This is a little known area and we hardly saw any other people all morning. All paths in the woods look much alike and we did get slightly lost once, but all returned in good spirits and most of the walkers enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Smisby Arms.

5 Milers - April's Walk - from Loughborough - 2023

A lovely sunny day!

5 Milers - February's Walk - Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubillee Woods - 2023

A gorgeous bright day for walking! Owen led our large group on a lovely route from QEDJW over to Normanton-le-Heath, along the National Forest Way over fields to the outskirts of Packington and retuning to the Jubilee Woods. 5.5 miles and a very welcome tasty lunch at Cattows afterwards.

5 Milers - January's Walk - Ticknall - 2023

We started off 2023 with a walk on a cold and dreary morning which eventually turned to rain. Nonetheless we all enjoyed being out in the fresh air, chatting and enjoying each other's company and walking off some of the Christmas excesses. We set off northwards from Ticknall through fields and woodland and along part of an old ancient route, as explained in the photos. We then passed St Brides farmhouse, the site of an old monastery, and were fascinated by the story of St Bride who had apparently plucked out her own eyes because of frustration of being pursued by a persistent, and obviously unwanted, suitor. Luckily she was later able to restore her sight with spring water. Clever stuff!

The route continued to Staunton Harold reservoir visitor facilities where we had our banana break, then walking along the side of reservoir and onwards in the direction of Calke. We then veered off through the limeyard area and back to our starting point.

Afterwards a tasty lunch was enjoyed at the Beeches pub in Ashby where we received very prompt service.

5 Milers - December's Walk - Bradgate Park and Cropston reservoir - 2022

18 walkers enjoyed the last walk of the year on a misty and very atmospheric day through Bradgate Park and around Cropston reservoir. A very nice lunch was served to us afterwards at The Bradgate in the village. A nice time was had by all and we look to some good walks in the New Year.

5 Milers - October's Walk from Markfield - 2022

5 Milers - September's Walk - 2022

13 walkers enjoyed the walk led by Sue G from Sunnyside Garden Centre in Ibstock. The route was new to us all and was much enjoyed. Despite threatening skies, and an initial heavy downpour before we set off, we were lucky to be able to stay dry.

5 Milers - August's Walk - 2022

12 intrepid walkers set out on Pearl's challenging 5.2 mile walk on a very humid Tuesday. We started at Swepstone church and walked to Snarestone through woods and over field paths, then onto Newton Burgoland and returned to Swepstone taking a bit of a much needed short cut near the end as we were all shattered! The paths were a little overgrown and the numerous (approx 17) stiles were very challenging to say the least! A very enjoyable walk none the less and a small group of us refreshed ourselves afterwards with a lovely lunch at Cattows. There was no group photo this time as our photographer, Owen, was too busy touting for buyers for the WAD calendar at break time to remember to take the photo!

5 Milers - June's Walk - 2022

On Tuesday 7th June 17 walkers enjoyed a flat and easy walk led by Ian. We walked from Quorn towards Woodhouse and then onto Woodthorpe through fields and woodlands enjoying the lush early summer growth on the way. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day. Some of us indulged in a very tasty and speedily served lunch at the Manor House afterwards.

5 Milers - April's Walk - 2022

On Tuesday 5th April Pete led 12 Five Milers on a 4.75 mile walk from Ratby. It should really be called the "Woodland Walk" as we passed through Pear Tree Wood, Crow Wood, Burroughs Wood, Hollow Oak Wood, Change Spinney and the wonderfully named Wirlybone Wood. With fine weather and spring flowers and blossom to see it was a most enjoyable walk.

5 Milers in the woods

Spring flowers

Blossom trees

5 Milers - March's Walk - 2022

14 walkers enjoyed a completely new route devised by John on a beautiful winter's morning. There was plenty of mud, but so buoyed up by the glorious sunshine, nobody moaned! The route started at Hartshorne and followed in part the National Forest Way, miraculously leading us to the southern end of Foremark reservoir and the Carvers rocks SSSI nature reserve. We found seating with a view of the reservoir for our banana break and then made our way back to Hartshorne, retracing some of the route along the way. Most of us then enjoyed lunch at The Bulls Head.

5 Milers - February's Walk - 2022

10 walkers enjoyed a delightful walk from Brascote led by Tony, in an area fairly unfamiliar to us. The weather had been especially arranged and was sunny and relatively mild. All 19, or was it 20, stiles were duly counted along the way. Despite the stiles the walk was a fairly easy one with very little ascent. Some of us enjoyed a well earned lunch afterwards at The Gate at Osbaston.

5 Milers - January's Walk - 2022

18 walkers turned out for our first walk of 2022. It was a beautiful cold, but bright and sunny day for our walk. We chose to walk the Calke tramway as it was easy walking on paths with hardly any mud and we made quick progress even with the large group. We finished the walk soon after 12 and the majority of us went to the Greyhound at Boundary for a hot lunch.