5 Milers - December's Walk

A record 25 members walked a circular 5 miles, or thereabouts, around Bradgate Park, led by Steve and Evelyn.

Below are some pictures taken on the walk.

   
On the path

  
Some beautiful countryside in the winter sun

  
A couple of views of Old John

25 Walkers

Still on the path

  
A couple of silhouettes

5 Milers - November's Walk

A 5 mile circular walk from Abbotts Oak via Agar Nook to Whitwick and back, led by Pete, taking in a stretch of the Ivanhoe Way, a stone circle, Mount St. Bernard Abbey and the Warren Hills.

There was a good turnout of 20 members. It was dry although a bit murky. Holly Hayes Wood looked very autumnal. We had a banana break at the stone circle in Forest Rock Wood - not often we come across a ready-made table that is over 6 million years old. The maize field provided some amusement - the crop towered over us all.

Below are some pictures taken on the walk.

  

5 Milers - October's Walk

A very informative and leisurely walk around Swannington, led by Bis

Starting off up a "green lane"

So what's wrong with using the stile??

Our leader telling us about "Wilkins' Sough" below us

The fantail of Hough Mill just in view from a distance

Admiring Ian's View

A little closer to Hough Mill.........

.........a suitable spot for a banana break

A recently uncovered pond near Hough Mill

Autumn colours........

........and the autumn walkers

5 Milers - September's Walk

A Walk from Sutton Cheney led by Alison

Guess who's admiring the electricty pylon.

All together now!! - "Ten 5 Milers sitting on a wall......"

The Ashby Canal

A bit of mud!!

5 Milers - August's Walk

A Walk from Oakthorpe led by Elaine and Martin

Can you spot the little lost chick?.........

Along the Ashby Canal.......

Banana break outside Conkers

Negotiating the only stile on the walk

5 Milers - July's Walk

A Walk from Ticknall led by Derek

In Heath Wood with our leader providing some interesting local information

There's a Hydraulic Ram in here somewhere....

.....ah!! there it is....

....and the pool that feeds it.

5 Milers - June's Walk

A Walk from Ingleby led by Rose.

Leaving Ingleby

Photographers at work.......

.........lovely wild flowers

This one's for Derek!!

The walkers outside Foremarke Hall prep school

The Church of St. Saviour, Foremark

A few spots of rain

Anchor Church Caves.......

........and the Anchor Church Cave People!!.....

..........and this is what the Cave People do when they leave the cave!!........

5 Milers - May's Walk

A walk around the Ulverscroft area, led by Pete.

Head down and go for it.

Delightful bluebells.

Onward

5 Milers - April's Walk

A walk around Bardon and Cliffe Hill, led by Denis and Jenny.

Our leaders at the front.

Crossing the Burton to Leicester Midland Railway line.

Down to pick up the Cliffe Hill Granite Line

A picturesque(?) view of Cliffe Hill Quarry

East Lane cottages on the left and Bardon Hill in the distance - a view from Cliffe Hill

Heads down.....

.....and onwards

5 milers - March's Walk

A 5.5 mile walk from Shortheath near Moira through Overseal, Linton Heath, Netherseal and Donisthorpe, led by Pearl.

Maybe not a suitable recruit!!

Approaching Netherseal

Passing some snowdrops on the way

The happy walkers

Admiring the view

5 Milers - February's Walk

In spite of a heavy snow storm as we drove to the starting point, the intrepid members of the 5 Milers Group were determined to walk as usual. The circular walk, led by Sue, began in Battram and included the village of Nailstone.

By the time everyone had on their walking boots, the snow had stopped and we walked in lovely winter sunshine. In fact, the early frost and snow proved to be an advantage: it had hardened many potentially muddy surfaces.

As we set off we could see the site of the former Nailstone Colliery which opened in 1864 and merged with Bagworth Colliery in 1968. After that, our route was across fields. Sue had warned the group that there were 17 stiles to climb over so several people were busy keeping count. (See them all below!!)

We took our banana break in the Memorial Garden in Nailstone and looked at All Saints Church before starting the walk back towards Battram. Along the way, we were all intrigued by considerable police activity at isolated Park Farm.

It was a pleasant walk in an area that few knew well. Most members stayed on for lunch at The Gate in Osbaston.

Views of Nailstone

5 Milers - January's Walk

The 5Milers walk on 6th January was from Long Whatton led by Ann, followed by a lunch at the King's Arms, Coleorton.

A view of Long Whatton

A new recruit?......

.....or bacon butties all round?