25 members of the u3a Walking Group took part in 2 walks from The Shoulder of Mutton pub in Foxton.  Once again, we had excellent weather for walking but the fields were waterlogged after the recent heavy rains and some of the mud was very sticky necessitating some thorough boot cleaning after the walk.

The food at the Shoulder of Mutton was really good with large portions augmented by copious amounts of vegetables and roast potatoes.  Even the ciabattas filled a large plate.  Hot, tasty food served quickly.  Absolutely excellent.  We can thoroughly recommend this pub's lunches and a decent pint too.

Pictures by Susan G, Barbara P, Stephen P and Chris B.

22 members of the u3a Walking Group took part in 2 walks from The Queen's Head in Billesdon.  We had excellent walking weather and the fields were quite reasonable underfoot.  We were also thankful that the farmers had not yet taken to ploughing the fields so most of the footpaths were still well marked by the passage of walkers.

Lunch was served at The Queen's Head and was delightful as ever.  Really good pub grub. Highly recommended.

Photos by Stephen, Susan and Christopher.

27 members of the u3a Walking Group set off from the Black Horse pub in Aylestone for 2 walks along the canal and through the Aylestone Meadows Park.  The longer walk took members to Bede Park in Leicester on the banks of the canal and featured a banana break by the old Great Central Railway engine shed 4SV.  The return trip took in the Great Central Way which follows the track bed  of the old railway.  For anybody interested in the Great Central Way, there is a marvellous article with pictures at http://www.gcrleicester.info/html/aylestone.html.

Lunch at the Black Horse was a tour de force in how to make good pub food by Alan and Sarah.

Photos by Shirley, Stephen and Christopher

This was our first visit to Stoney Cove though not our first to Croft Quarry.  David Holmes laid on a challenging  7 and a half mile walk with some good inclines to get the old pulse racing, a total of 567 feet in all.  This was followed by a jolly good meal at Nemo's Bar.

The short walkers had a rather less arduous 3 and a half miles followed by coffee overlooking the scenic Stoney Cove.  Excellent walks all round.  Thanks to David, Stephen Sue and Josie for organising.

Photos by Stephen, Barbara and Chris

With the Fox and Hounds under new management, it was time for a return to Tugby and a couple of walks in the beautiful South Leicestershire countryside.  The longer walk took in Goadby and the road to Glooston before veering off and back to Tugby along the MIdshires Way.  There were no stiles but some steep inclines added to a decent walk.  The weather, given the forecast at breakfast time, was surprisingly benign with no rain and spring-like temperatures for once.  

The short walkers completed 3.9 miles.

Pictures by Di, Stephen and Chris.

A welcome return to the King's Head in Smeeton Westerby for the Walking Group.  30 members set off on 2 walks with the majority walking to and from the pub too.  The weather was reasonable and the ground drying up after the winter rains.  Even the canal towing path was reasonably dry with only one muddy patch to navigate.  The long walk was Led by John K. and took in Mill Lane,  the canal from Millennium Wood to Debdale and then Debdale Lane back to the pub, 6 and a half miles in all.  

The short walk was led by Margaret and Janice and was some 3 and a half miles long.

Lunch was a selection of cobs which were excellent and a good natter with the Short Walkers.

Pictures by Stephen and Chris

Undaunted by the heavy rain of the previous evening, 20 of us set off on two walks from the Queen's Head at Saddington.  The longer walk went towards Fleckney, skirted The Millennium Wood before heading down Mill Lane.  The heavy rains necessitated a modification to the route to avoid the worst of the muddy fields.  From Smeeton, we headed back towards Saddington via the canal aqueduct and the fields next to the canal service stream from the reservoir.  A splendid lunch was served up at the Queen's Head.

Pictures by Stephen and Chris

31 members of the Walking Group took on two walks from The Crown at Tur Langton.  The Short Walk of some 4 miles featured a stop at Mint and Ginger for coffee.

The longer walk took in Gartree Road, Stonton Wyville and was some 6 miles in length.  The weather was not kind and we had horizontal rain for a short period as we wended our way home.  A superb lunch was on offer at The Crown along with an excellent pint of Tribute (from St Austell Brewery).

Pictures by Stephen and Chris

Heather and Terry had us slip sliding away down the hill, up the hill and through m'lady's gateways.  A real mudfest if ever there was one.  Several people tested the mud at close quarters and most had slippery incidents.  It was a fine day for a walk and just a little sad that the preceding week had been so wet.  We ere rewarded with superb views over South Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire.

It was a similar story for the short walkers too (pictured right).  We all lived to tell the tale in the pub afterwards over some decent pub grub.

Pictures by Roger, Stephen and Chris

Jane and Shirley put on a good winter walk in the area of Marston Trussell with a splendid pub lunch at the Red Lion in Sibbertoft.  Good weather made for a splendid 6.2 mile winter walk with a stop for some old fashioned hedge laying and a banana stop at St. Nicholas's Church in Marston Trussell where we learned of it links with the Battle of Naseby in June 1645.

For our final walk of the year, Alan and Marion put on an old favourite in the shape of the Billesdon, Rolleston and Skeffington walk with lunch at the Queen's Head in Billesdon.  This is an excellent walk for this time of year as it is mainly on farm tracks with only 1 field to cause muddy problems.  Alan had ordered some decent weather for us and both walks set off for Rolleston and a mince pie break by the lake.  The short walkers then headed straight back to Billesdon and coffee whilst the long walkers took in Skeffington before returning to Billesdon for an excellent lunch at the Queen's Head.  What a splendid way to finish the year.  Thanks Alan and Marion.

Pictures by Stephen and Chris

The Crown, Main Street, Tur Langton