Shirley and Susan led a splendid walk around the Launde Abbey area taking in Long Wood, Leigh Lodge and the River Chater.  Fine weather with a gentle breeze helped along some 13 walkers take in the splendid views over East Leicestershire and Rutland.  Lunch was taken at the Launde Abbey cafe where tasty food and friendly staff provided a fitting end to an excellent walk.

Four members did a short walk around the grounds and woodlands of the Abbey and were rewarded with 2 miles of gardens in the spring sunshine.

Pictures by Susan, Ian and Chris

We ran 2 walks in Market Harborough taking in various parts of the southern estates and Welland Park.  There was evidence of recent flooding and the river Welland was still fast flowing and mussy.  We caught site of a lot of building work and cable upgrading; the evr changing face of Market Harborough.  We tried the Roebuck Inn for food which, sadly, was much delayed.

Pictures by Barbara, Stephen and Chris.

The first proper walk of 2025 took us to Northamptonshire and the quiet paths around Pitsford Water.  25 of us set off on 2 walks from The Griffin Inn in Pitsford to walk to the Brixworth Park Bistro.  There were a couple of hills on the road before we got to Pitsford Water which proved to be a fair old workout.  Coffee was taken at the Park Bistro before returning to the Griffin In for lunch.  Paul and his team at the Griffin laid on a splendid lunch for us with an excellent pint of Tribute to wash it down.

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