Vale of Belvoir Ramblers: December 2016

Ropsley, Scotland and the Humbys, 18th December 2016

Starting at The Green Man in Ropsley, Phil's walk took us to Scotland (actually just a Lincolnshire hamlet) and across remote countryside and arable fields to Great Humby, the former seat of the Brownlow family until they built and moved to Belton House. There remains a tiny chapel, dating from 1754. Nearby Little Humby has old stone houses flanking a green and a Manor House dated 1631. Ropsley was the birthplace of Bishop Richard Foxe (1448 1528) who founded Grantham grammar school where Isaac Newton was a scholar. His birthplace is marked by a plaque on a former inn close to the Green Man.

Start in Ropsley

Ingoldsby Wood

Chapel at Great Humby

Little Humby

Start and end - The Green Man

Aubourn, 14th December 2016

The walk started in Aubourn which sits in the valley formed by the River Witham as it bends north eastwards, 7 miles south of Lincoln. The village is enclosed to the north and east by the 'washlands' of the Witham and has historically been prone to frequent flooding.

Start next to the Royal Oak

Note high flood banks along both banks of the Witham to reduce the risk of flooding

St Peter's Church, Auborn

Haddington Dovecote

Auborn Clock Tower

Kinoulton, Colston Bassett, Hickling, 11th December 2016

The Christmas walk from Kinoulton to (almost) Colston Bassett and then to Hickling for mince pies and mulled wine (and chicken and chips for our young visitor). Then back along the Grantham Canal to the Nevile Arms for Christmas Lunch.

Resting - Colston Bassett Hall in the background

Hicking Basin

St Luke's Church, Kinoulton

Somerby, Cold Overton, Knossington and the Leicestershire Round, 4th December 2016

Paul's 10.6 mile walk today (see bottom for route) took us out to Pickwell, Cold Overton, Knossington and Withcote where we joined the Leicestershire Round back to Somerby. An undulating walk (over 300m of climbing) with fine views in glorious sunshine.