Burrough on the Hill, March 28th 2015

Steve's walk took us west from Burrough to Gaddesby and back, passing through the villages of Twyford, Barsby and Gaddesby (for lunch) returning on the Leicestershire Round via Ashby Folville and Thorpe Satchville.

Briefing from our leader Steve at the start

 

St Mary the Virgin, Burrough

St Andrew's Church, Twyford

St Luke's Church, Gaddesby has some of the finest examples of fourteenth century stonework in the country which adorn the South West corner on the outside of the Knights Templar's chapel.

Unusual dry brick wall near Gaddesby

St Michael and All Angels' 15th century church, Thorpe Satchville

Braunston-in-Rutland, March 22nd 2015

Firstly, our good wishes to Chairman Rab who has just tested the resilience  of Spanish roads with his hip and elbow - the road came off best.  Get well soon.

Well, those of you stayed at home today missed a treat -  sunshine, blue skies, some of the best tracks in the East Midlands on Bernard's walk today - (exactly 12 miles long as advertised!).

 We started in Braunston ...

 ... near All Saints' Church ...

... famous for its piece of sculpted stone which stands in the churchyard (see inset) and known as the Braunston Goddess.  It was found in about 1920 when the church doorstep needed to be replaced. When the slab was lifted the carving was revealed on the underside. There has been considerable speculation as to its age and meaning, and its original position as part of the church building, or whether it may even predate the church. It is clearly not a gargoyle as it has no drainage channel.

The nine of us then followed the River Gwash which feeds into Rutland Water and which could be seen in the distance after we passed through Brooke and climbed up to the Macmillan Way.

We then reached Martinsthorpe, the only parish in Rutland to have a population of zero.  One uninhabited building remains on the ridge. Originally this was part of the outbuildings of Martinsthorpe Hall, a seat of the Earls of Nottingham.

These cameras can be too clever for their own good

 We crossed the valley of the River Chater which flows into the Welland near Stamford and westwards along a ridge with fine views of the Chater Valley before recrossing the river back to Braunston.

Where's Wally?

 

 

Ashbourne, 19th March 2015

This walk, 10 miles long and involving about 400m of ups and downs, explored the Dove Valley and its tributaries south west of Ashbourne, just outside the Peak District National Park.

Starting at the car park at the bottom of the Tissington Trail, we walked down to the Derbyshire/Staffordshire boundary, crossing the River Dove over the Hanging Bridge to Mayfield.  Mayfield was originally a Saxon Village and is mentioned in the Domesday book, however the Hanging Bridge got its name in 1745 when some of Bonnie Prince Charlie's men upset the locals with serious consequences (for the former).

The village has many old and interesting buildings:

Rock House - a dwelling carved out of the local sandstone

Mayfield Hall (see 45 on map below) - beneath the Hall are cellars and passages reputedly dating from 1157

Brook Farm (46), a late Elizabethan stone built residence now three self-contained holiday cottages - yours for only £795k

Holme Farm (44), the oldest house in the Mayfield hamlets, dating from 1440

Old Hall Farm (51) dates from 1620

 From Mayfield we followed the heavily wooded valley of Ordley Brook ...

... to Swinscoe for lunch before crossing the A52 towards Okeover Park and the Hall, the family seat of the Okeover family who have been in residence since the reign of William Rufus.

Ancient oaks in Okeover Park

Then past the Okeover Corn Mill  ...

... and back over the Dove to Mapleton,  Then a short climb took us to the Tissington Trail and back to the car park

Barkestone le Vale, 8th March 2015

A good turnout (24) for this 9½ mile walk which took us to Plungar, Stathern and Harby.  Thanks Steve for the photos.

Our leader, Farmer John (not my words!)

Coffee at Stathern

Carrie sulking - she likes to lead

Harby Church

Barnby in the Willows, 1st March 2015

Starting in Barnby on the Nottinghamshire side of the Witham, this short walk explored the flatlands of Lincolnshire to the east - maximum elevation 26m, minimum 12m.




All Saints Church, Barnby, dating back to the 13th century - but minus its lead roof, stolen in October last year.

Fenton Church - coffee time