Denton & Grantham Canal, 20th May 2015

 


Today's walk started at the (sadly) closed Welby Arms in Denton before circumnavigating the nearby reservoir, used to top up the Grantham Canal.  We (15) then passed through fields to reach Denton Wharf for coffee.

 Crossing over and under Bridge 66 we followed the canal up to the wooden bridge ...

 ... and a path which took us to the disused railway and back to Denton.  This was used to transport ore away from the quarries around Harlaxton and Harston and joined the Nottingham-Grantham line at Muston. 

One of many attractive houses in Denton

Pilsley & Hardwick Hall, 17th May 2015

The walk took us to Pilsley and the grounds of Hardwick Hall along the Five Pits Trail.  Here are a couple of images from Sue.

Gringley on the Hill, May 10th 2015

Lowdham. 20th Anniversary Treasure Hunt, 3rd May 2015

 
 
Eileen gives us our instructions for the treasure hunt round Lowdham to celebrate our 20th anniversary followed by tea and cakes.  Thanks to both Eileen and Linda for the quiz.

A clue

Not a clue - I know how it feels

Perhaps a clue - I never did find out

At last

Belton in Rutland, April 26th 2015

Paul led twenty four of us on this excellent walk across Rutland and Leicestershire countryside in glorious weather with extensive views across the valley of the River Chater.

Start near Belton War Memorial

Lunch at Launde Abbey

The Abbey was an Elizabethan Manor House originally built on the site of an Augustinian Priory.   It is now used as a conference and retreat centre by the Church of England Dioceses of Leicester and Peterborough.

Maplebeck, 12th April 2015

John led 22 ramblers from Maplebeck to Eakring and back through Knesall on this10 mile walk. Plenty of rolling countryside with great views, although it was very windy.

National Grid has started work on a test line of the new T pylon at its training academy in Nottinghamshire.  Six of the new style high voltage pylons are being built for the first time in the British countryside.  The design for the new style of pylon was the result of an international competition held by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Royal Institute of British Architects and National Grid.  The T pylon with its shorter height and sleeker design was the unanimous winner from the 250 entries.

The Beehive - welcome back Brian

Great Ponton, 19th April 2015

Bernard led 20 Ramblers on this 9 mile (allegedly) walk from Great Ponton to Little Ponton, Grantham and Stroxton on a dry cold day, ideal for walking.

Bernard insists on being photographed next to his favourite water tower!

Lunch at Stroxton

More ruins

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?