Vale of Belvoir Ramblers: 2017

Branston, Eastwell and Eaton, 17th December 2017

Richard's undulating walk near the Leicestershire / Lincolnshire border ...

... explored the headwaters of the River Devon and the Belvoir Ridge from Branston to Eastwell and Eaton making use of sections of the Jubilee Way. Ten miles, mud and 330m of climbing left all of us needing refreshment at the end.

The start - St Guthlac's Church, Branston

Just after the start - steps down to (or in some cases up from) an ironstone gullet - a long, deep and narrow trench or pit from which the ironstone was quarried.

Descent from the Harby Hills

Approaching Eaton

St Denys Parish Church, Eaton, one of the Leicestershire Ironstone Churches

What a difference a day (or two) makes - here is the same view taken on the recce by Roger.

And an even better view showing the much weathered ironstone.

At Eaton, the route rejoined the Jublilee Way before leaving it to head back to Branston.

Kinoulton and Hickling Christmas walk, 10th December 2017

Twelve brave souls managed to walk the walk from Kinoulton along the canal to Hickling and back instead of Roger's original route to Colston Bassett, abandoned due to the sudden snowfall.

At Hickling we enjoyed the customary mulled wine and mince pies ...

... as did the camouflaged swans (the mince pie crumbs that is)...

... before heading back along the canal ...

... and joining the non-walking VBR members at the Nevile Arms ...

... for Christmas lunch, a quiz and a raffle.

This will be a short speech, very short

Thanks Roger, Sheila & Elaine (mulled wine), Brenda & Sue (lunch and raffle), Dave (quiz), John (The Boss) and the staff at the Nevile Arms who coped very well with the unexpected number of diners. And sorry to those members who could not make it due to the weather.

Queniborough, Gaddesby, Barsby and South Croxton, 3rd December 2017

Another good VBR turnout (27) on Paul's Queniborough walk ...

... to Gaddesby, Barsby and South Croxton, originally planned for March this year but postponed due to very inclement weather and probable flooding near the Queniborough and Gaddesby Brooks next to the route. No problems with rain this time but plenty of mud.

The start next to St Mary's Church, Queniborough

St Mary's Church

Queniborough Dovecote, built in 1705 but rebuilt when it threatened to fall down

And this is what it looks like inside

Coffee stop at the Cheney arms. This unusual and interesting name is of Old French origin, introduced into England by the Normans. The derivation is from the Old French "chesne, chesnai", oak tree, oak grove, from the medieval Latin "casnetum".

Barsby Farm - "straight ahead at the red building", but don't use these instruction next time

Lunch - St John the Baptist, South Croxton

South Croxton - celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubileee, 2002

Radcliffe, Bassingfield and Cotgrave, 26th November 2017

A good turnout (thirty) for Marion's walk starting in the centre of Radcliffe on Trent.

The walk took us down Holme Lane to Holme Pierrepont ...

Holme Pierrepont Hall

... and then into Skylarks Nature Reserve, an attractive wetland nature reserve, formerly a gravel pit but now owned by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

Crossing the A52 we walked across fields to Bassingfield and onto the Grantham Canal ...

... and into Cotgrave ...

All Saints Church, Cotgrave

.. before lunch in ...

... based on the site of Cotgrave Colliery (1962-1994).

Rejoining the canal, we crossed at the restored Cotgrave Lock (Lock 6) ...

... to join the 3km disused railway line which runs between Cotgrave Country Park and Holme Pierrepont. The former mineral railway, which used to link the colliery in Cotgrave to the main railway network, is currently used informally by walkers but there are plans to upgrade it in the future.

Then it was back to the start across fields and through the new plantation on the edge of Radcliffe.

Trent Lock and Attenborough Nature Reserve, 19th November 2017

An excellent turnout (18) for Hilary's walk today ...

... starting in the car park at Trent Lock ...

... and taking us to the junction of the Erewash Canal and the Trent.

Looking back up the Erewash Canal

Erewash meets Trent - a strategic intersection with the River Soar, River Derwent and Trent & Mersey Canal junctions not very far away

Then it was along Cranfleet Cut ...

... and then beside the Trent before turning off to the Attenborough Nature Centre for lunch.

Some of the birds we might have seen (but didn't)

After returning along the Trent ...

Something from the last Trent walk

... some of us ended up in the...

... for tea and cake and a look at some interesting canal-related artifacts in this former lock-keeper's cottage.

And finally, a glorious view of Ratcliffe Power Station, visible all day on the walk.

Coal making a comeback? From 0% of UK demand five days ago to 25% three days ago! All going to the French apparently.

Exton, 15th November 2017

Starting at Exton, Rose led seventeen of us (including two visitors) on this interesting and varied walk to Fort Henry Lake and then Greetham and back on the Viking Way. Here are Roger's photos.