September 2021

Our September walk starting from Wymeswold benefitted from Beautiful weather. Heading towards Hoton and in a loop round to Prestwold we came across a large obstacle on the footpath - a mature ash tree had fallen completely blocking the path - and we had to clamber over it to continue our journey. Uphill from this point we had a great view of Stamford Hall - the new rehabilitation centre. We walked past the back of Prestwold Hall to Burton on the Wolds and then to the sleepy village of Walton on the Wolds before arriving back in Wymeswold. A good 11 miles.

April 2021

Five Striders members set out from Milton Derby's for a 9 mile walk taking in Foremark Reservoir. Beautiful sunny weather and certainly good to be back walking as a group.

      

December 2020

A group of 6 walked on the 14th December led by Pearl on a 9.7 mile route from Ashby. A beautiful day for walking but extremely muddy underfoot..

January

A 9.5 mile walk starting from Ticknall and passing St Brides, Stanton by Bridge, Inglebury, Seven Spouts and Foremark.

Morning break near Inglebury Toft

Lunch at Foremark Church

On the way back to Ticknall

February

An 11 mile walk starting from Swannington to Whitwick, Cademan Woods, Poachers Corner, Blackbrook Aquaduct, Osgathorpe and Thringstone.

Approaching Whitwick the hard way.

Cademan Rocks

Lunch at Osgathorpe Church

In this area we are blessed with many footpaths but also many stiles. We crossed 26 on this walk.

March

Another 11 miles starting from Worthington then following the Cloud Trail to Tonge and on Diseworth, Belton and Osgathorpe

Cloud Hill Quarry

On the Cloud Trail

About to cross the A42 with Breedon Church in the background.

The airport control tower is visible from miles around.

Banana break at Diseworth with the airport still in view.

Wide open spaces heading to Belton.

Belton Church.

Looking for food (unsuccessfully).

April

A 10 mile figure of eight walk starting from Swepstone The first loop was to Normanton-Le-Heath and the second to Newton Burgoland and Shackerstone

Our starting point at Swepstone Church.

Near Normanton-Le-Heath. What could be water on the left of the picture is a field of solar panels.

Taking a break on the towpath of the Ashby Canal.

A narrow boat cruises on the Ashby Canal

Narrow boats moored near Shackerstone.

May

This month we completed the "Three Great Houses" walk. Starting from Staunton Harold car park we went to Calke Abbey, Melbourne Hall and finally back to Staunton Harold Hall, a distance of 10 miles.

Approaching Calke Abbey.

At Melbourne Hall

Almost at Staunton Harold Hall and the end of the walk.

June

A nine mile walk starting from Barrow upon Soar and visiting Mountsorrel, the Granite Café, Swithland Reservoir and Quorn.

The River Soar.

Mountsorrel Lock.

The Mountsorrel branch of the Great Central Railway at the Granite Café.

Some way to go before this pile is shifted.

We're used to climbing over stiles but crawling under a lorry tightly wedged between two walls is a first I think.

"Well boss, the sat nav said ….."

Lunch near Quorn.

Back to the River Soar near the end of the walk.

July

A nine and a half mile walk from Melbourne. The route took us to Wilson, the Cloud Trail, the Trent and Mersey Canal, Swarkestone and Stanton by Bridge.

The rear and gardens of Melbourne Hall.

The River Trent from the railway bridge on the Cloud Trail.

Banana break on the Cloud Trail just before joining the Trent and Mersey Canal .

Swarkstone Hall Pavilion. This was the setting for the picture on the cover of the Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet album in 1968.

Swarkestone Causeway from ground level.

Lunch break at Stanton by Bridge. The nearby bench was rejected in favour of the shade of by the wall.

The site of an ancient well near Melbourne. I believe the inscription translates as "This Holy well by Robert named Hardinge 1662".

September

A misty view near Market Bosworth

Break by the Ashby Canal

Market Bosworth Marina

The town centre in Market Bosworth

October

Break on Broadstone Lane near Ticknall

Distant view of Staunton Harold Reservoir

Impressive fungi

November

The intention had been to walk from Zouch. However, shortly after this flooded lock on the pre walk the route was impassable and so a back up plan was used.

Break at Lount Nature Reserve.

A muddy woodland path

A horse with winter coat on at Newbold Coleorton.

Some pictures by members from their own walks at Calke/p>

Some pictures by members from their own walks. Holly Hayes Wood, Hermitage Lake and near Whitwick Church, and from Polly Botts Lane, John Lees Wood and Bradgate Park.

Some pictures from Pembrokeshire in May 2019, when it was almost as quiet as it probably is now

After two weeks of confinement we decided that we needed a walk. As the weather forecast for this morning was good we set off just before dawn. From home we walked to Hoo Ash Roundabout, through Swannington to the A512 and then Mill Lane. We paused at the Mill to watch the sunrise and have a cup of coffee then down to Limby Hall Lane and through fields passing Broomey Husk back to the A511 near Hoo Ash, a distance of just on five miles. The field paths are drying out well now, what a shame we can't make the most of them after all the wet and mud we endured through the winter. We heard a woodpecker hard at work in the copse where the Raper and Fenton mine used to be on Limby Hall Lane.
On the way home we saw the quarter to eight 29 bus. Usually going to Burton the route has evidently been cut back to Swadlincote. The only person on board was the driver. We arrived home by eight o'clock having only met a couple of dog walkers, a jogger and the bin men on Hough Hill. All were passed at distance and we felt safe.

A view over Leicestershire.

Banana break at Beacon Hill.

Renovations at Ulverscroft Priory.

There were some muddy stretches.

Blossom near Newtown Linford.

Spring flowers in Bradgate Park.

A well known Leicestershire landmark.