Novembers's Ramblers

Some scenes from alongside Thornton Reservoir taken during the November walk led by Alison from Markfield to Thornton.

The September Striders' walk was led by Vanessa starting from Hoton. Named the "Blackberry Walk" due to the amount of fruit consumed and gathered, we passed by Prestwold Hall before walking through Burton on the Wolds, Walton on the Wolds and Wymeswold with many good long distance views along the way. A most enjoyable nine miles in an area that we don't often visit.

Prestwold Hall and Church

Blackberrying

Walton on the Wolds

More blackberrying

Heading to the horizon

A nice place for our lunch stop

Septembers's Ramblers

In September, eleven members of the Ramblers Group met on the outskirts of Shepshed for a 7 mile circular walk led by Sue.
The walk began by following Carr Lane to the village of Belton. We paused by the Maypole which is an unusual feature to find in villages or towns these days. However, Sue had been able to discover only limited information about it or the Belton Horse Fair.
We then walked on field footpaths to Osgathorpe where the fascinating story of Mr Thomas Harley and the Harley Trust was relayed twice - once by Sue and then by one of the Trustees!
From Osgathorpe, the route led back towards Shepshed via Low Woods and by Black Brook. Throughout the walk, there had been delightful views across Charnwood Forest.

Walking along Carr Lane towards Belton

Inquisitive creatures near Osgathorpe

Banana break outside Osgathorpe Church

Walking towards Shepshed

Lunch!

August's Ramblers

Joyce led the walkwhich was delightful; from Moira via Donnisthorpe, Oakthorpe and Willesley, through fields and woodland

The Ramblers taking a rest

June's Ramblers from Mount St Bernard Abbey

A misty start.

Hardly a ripple on the Blackbrook Reservoir.

Banana break.

No volunteers to play on the swing.

Back into daylight.

A view into Whitwick Quarry.

May's Ramblers to the Outwoods and Beacon Hill

Climbing Buck Hill.

On top of Buck Hill.

Enjoying a paddle.

Banana break in Felicity's Wood.

View from Beacon Hill.

Bluebells in the Outwoods.

April Ramblers

The Ramblers.

The Deer Shelter - built in 1774 by the Harpur family.

Home Farm with Staunton Harold Reservoir in the distance.

Walking on water.

Staunton Harold Reservoir.

The Deer Park.

For our February Ramblers we had a good turnout of 15 group members. As this winter has been particularly wet and everywhere very muddy, this walk was chosen as the second half was on good dry paths. We all met at Breedon on a lovely bright and sunny day and walked across and around the golf course into Wilson where we picked up the Cloud trail which brought us back into Breedon again. A slightly shorter walk than usual of just 6 miles.

 

Walking through Wilson.

Lunch on the Cloud Trail.

Group picture in front of some interesting Stone Carvings.

A good view of Breedon Church on the hilll.

9 of our group came on the January Ramblers, which was led by Ann, and took us from Ticknall village to Foremark Reservoir and back, a distance of roughly 7 miles. It was a cold, damp day but the sun did try to come out, hence the rainbow, and the terrain pretty muddy in places. However luck was on our side and the heavy rain, which had been forecast, didn't arrive until we were all safely back in our cars ready for the journey home.

Lynda led the final Ramblers and Striders walk of 2017 in the Swarkestone area. 14 members set off from the Crewe and Harpur and walked along the River Trent to Swarkestone Church and from there onto the towpath of the Trent and Mersey Canal, passing the Pavilion on the way. After around 2 miles we reached Swarkestone Lock and then there were a couple of fields to cross before reaching Barrow on Trent. The walk continued through the village to pick up the fishermen’s track along the river back to Swarkestone.

Afterwards everyone enjoyed a very good meal together at the Crew and Harpur.

The River Trent.

Swarkestone Pavilion through the garden gate.

Swarkestone Pavilion (now a Landmark Trust holiday home).

Walking by the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Banana Break at Swarkestone Lock.

Cruising the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Barrow on Trent church.

Pictures from Striders that 5 of us participated in showing the duckpond in Newton Regis, views along the way and the cows we had to avoid on the last leg from Salt Street back to Appleby Magna. A bit muddy and hard going in places but worth the effort!!

These are a few pictures taken from the November's Ramblers walk which took us through Bradgate Park and on to Swithland village and back again, a distance of about 7 miles.

October Striders

This month 6 of us had a lovely walk lead by Brian of 10.8 mls in the Rempstone area. It was hazy and warm with the red sun in the sky for the whole of the walk. We saw some Lammas near East Leake and stopped for lunch at Prestwold Church, which is next door to Prestwold Hall.

September's Striders

A walk around Calke led by Owen

September’s Striders walk started from the RSPB reserve at Middleton Lakes, just outside of Tamworth and over the border into North Warwickshire. It was a beautiful morning with a cool breeze so, bravely or foolhardily, we left waterproofs behind! We soon left the reserve to walk along the Birmingham and Fazeley canal and then turned off into Kingsbury Water Park. This site, once used for gravel extraction, has now been restored and consists of 15 lakes and covers over 600 acres. There were plenty of people enjoying the facilities, especially the small miniature railway, Echills Wood, where the volunteers are hoping to extend the track to 2km.

We stopped for lunch overlooking one of the many lakes close by the Broomey Croft children’s farm. Another stretch of walking along the canal took us to Bodymoor Heath and along the Aston Villa training facility. We arrived back at Middleton Lake where some of us succumbed to the lure of tea and cakes in the courtyard of the Craft centre.

In total we walked just under 7 miles, mostly along trackways, in glorious late summer weather.

Middleton Lakes.

Trainspotting.

Narrow boat in narrow lock.

Walking by the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.

Early autumn fallen leaves.

August's Ramblers

A walk from Mount St Bernard and over Warren Hills and Bardon Hill

Starting point at Mt St Bernard Abbey.

Learning about the Mt St Bernard Reformatory.

Small memorials at the base of the cross in the Reformatory burial ground.

Climbing Bardon Hill.

Banana break at the top of Bardon Hill.

View of the quarry from Bardon Hill.

Owen led 7 of us Striders on a lovely walk on a warm and sunny day in July. It was great to get out and walking again as we'd previously had to cancel this walk on two occasions due to wet weather!!

Anyway we started at Sutton Wharf, followed the canal for a short distance before going across fields for about 3 miles before stopping for a banana break by the canal once again. It was a good spot as there were a couple of benches to sit at plus loads of ducks along with three baby moorhens to watch whilst we enjoyed a drink etc.

Lunch was by the footpath in the shade just before we reached Shenton and this was followed by refreshments at Whitemoors, where we once again grabbed a spot in the shade in their lovely garden. It was difficult to get going again after the 30 minutes or so we spent there!! It was then only another couple of miles back to the Wharf via the Battlefied site and Ambion Woods where some of us treated ourselves to a well earned ice-cream!! Thanks to Owen for leading the walk.

Stoke Golding Marina

Whitemoors break

Shenton church

Views near Dadlington

June's Ramblers' walk from Market Bosworth to Carlton, taking in part of the Ashby Canal and the Leicestershire Round

February's Striders was led by Alison and included walking from Woodhouse Eaves through Swithland Wood, crossing along the edge of Bradgate Park, where we stopped for a banana break before going on towards Broombriggs and the Beacon. We had lunch alongside a very windy Beacon but the views were good. The walk was just over 8 miles and it was a dry if windy day. Nine of us walked and thanks to Alison for leading us and to Owen for taking the photographs.