Today 22 brave souls tackled the muddy fields and tracks of the area around Maidwell in Northamptonshire.  The going was very heavy and wet underfoot.  Terry unfortunately lost a wellington boot in one section helping another person free of the mud.  The walk overran it's schedule and was cut short to allow members of the group to return to the Stag at Maidwell on time for a superb lunch.  Many thanks to Bruce, Su and Sue for organising the walks and to Stephen and Chris for the photographs.

For the longer walk, Julie Hart put on a sensible route containing some road sections and some fields tackled downhill to avoid trudging uphill in the rain..  The ground was fairly boggy with a lot of standing water for us for negotiate.  Several people to called in sick with sniffles, opting to nurse a cold in the warmth of their own home rather than brave the elements.  We hope to see our Group out fit and well in the near future.

Sue Dargie ran the short walk over to Foxton Locks for coffee at Bridge 61.  This walk also proved to be a bit muddy in places.

Pictures by Stephen and Chris

Denise, John and Sue led us round the back streets and jitties of Market Harborough avoiding the puddles and swollen streams for a delightful first longer walk of the year.

An excellent lunch was provided by the Oat Hill pub.

Many thanks to Denise, John and Sue for organising the walks and to Denise and Stephen for the pictures.

A break between storms allowed us to pull in a good walk along the canal from Welford Wharf before the weather turned nasty again.  

There was good food and good ale for us back at The Wharf Inn.

Pictures by Stephen and Chris

A fine walking day and a little too warm if anything.  

Those on the short walk started and finished at the Wistow Rural Centre.

Those on the longer walk started from Kilby and took a circular route via Wistow to finish back at the Dog and Gun in Kilby.  We all then had a good lunch at the Dog and Gun.

Excellent weather and 2 good walks starting from The Bell at Burton Overy.  The longer walk took in Illston on the Hill and Carlton Curlieu with some good hills to test the legs.  Good food at The Bell rounded off the walks.

Jane L. led a good walk of some 6.2 miles from Clipston to Sibbertoft over quiet roads and fields followed by a straight walk back to Clipston along the road.  Fine, very warm weather made for an enjoyable walk.  The Red Lion at Sibbertoft provided an excellent lunch to round it all off.

Meanwhile, Sue D. led her merry band of short walkers on an extended trip around Sibbertoft including the steep hill!

An excellent walk from Billesdon through harvested fields, with views across much of the South Leicestershire countryside.  The weather was once again kind to us.  We had the company of escaped bullocks and Jane stepped into the breach, as she so often does, and reported the incident to a local farmer who came out to retrieve his herd.

Two good walks in near perfect conditions.  Once again, the forecast storms did not materialise and we were rewarded with some fine views over the North Northamptonshire countryside.

Lunch was taken at The Oat Hill in Market Harborough

Two good walks in near perfect conditions.  Once again, the rain stayed away and we were rewarded with some fine views over the North Northamptonshire countryside.

Lunch was taken as a picnic in East Carlton Park.

Our further afield trip took us to Castle Ashby for two walks in Northamptonshire.  The weather held and we were enveloped in the peaceful tranquillity of a summer's day with only butterflies and birds to disturb the peace.  Colin added 2 unseen butterflies to his yearly count.  

The Tea Rooms at Castle Ashby put on a superb spread at very reasonable prices as well as giving us excellent service.

Two good walks from The Wharf Inn at Welford.

The long walk, led by Julie,  took us to North Kilworth and back via North Kilworth Marina and North Kilworth church.

David's short walk did the canal loop, starting at the allotments and finishing back at The Wharf.  It was a hot day for walking and we were grateful for the cold drinks at the end.

Two very good walks ran from the Fox and Hounds through Exton Park.  Visits to Fort Henry and the Nature Reserve with some very long grass were the highlights of the day.  Good food at the Fox and Hounds with a decidedly Greek flavour.

We had a good turnout for this event which started and finished at the Queen's Head in Saddingtom.  Favourite dish of the day was the Steak and Ale pie.

Bruce and Su led us through some stunning South Leicestershire countryside in the full rush of spring and over many stiles of varying design, much to David's pleasure.  Food at the Crown in Tur Langton was superb as usual.

21st April 

A showery day in N.W. Leicestershire.  A fine walk with good food at the end.

7th April with some sunny weather and a splendid lunch