After a night of heavy rain eleven of us left Wollaston Playing Field Car Park and headed across the playing field towards the cricket nets. We crossed the A509 road and turned left to a footpath across a field into a small wooded area. We climbed up the the hill into the hamlet of Strixton. We soon picked up the byway between Grendon and Strixton which we followed nearly into Grendon. Just before the byway ended we took a footpath on the left which lead us to Grendon Brook. The sun now came out as we followed the brook all the way into Bozeat re-crossing the A509 on the way. The path passed through a field with a wide selection of animals these included Lamas, Alpacas, Donkeys, Horses, Jersey Cows and unusual sheep. We soon reached the centre of Bozeat and the Red Lion Pub where we had lunch. After lunch we walked through the village and climbed Allens Hill to a footpath across an old quarry. We followed the footpath through a very large field until we met a track. Here we turn left and walked to a farm track which we followed through several very muddy areas to Poplars Farm. We took a footpath through the garden past the tennis courts and on to a kiss gate into a field. We then followed the path across four very muddy and tacky fields to where it crossed a brook and entered into Wollaston through the industrial estate. On reaching Hardwick Road we headed for the centre of the village. After a few metres we took a path on the left which passed by some well-kept allotments to London Road. Here we turned left and walked back to the start.   

On a drizzly dull morning 10 of us met in Olney to walk to around Emberton Country Park. We started from the Recreation Ground Car Park and made our way past the Cowper Memorial Church to the High Street – We then walked through Onley crossing the bridge over the river Great Ouse and then into the country park. We then walked around the lakes to the café where we stopped for coffee. After coffee we walked to the entrance and took a path by the lake back to the pedestrian entrance. Here we turned left and walked back into Olney retracing our steps back to the start.

Ten of met at the small village of Blaston on a cold and frosty morning – We left the village by a track that took us by the small village church. We soon branched of the track on to a bridleway which undulated up and down through the beautiful south Leicestershire countryside for two miles. We then walked through the hamlet of Nevill Holt admiring the school and the stables hosts the Nevill Holt Opera festival. The hamlet also has magnificent views of the Welland Valley looking across to Rockingham and East Carlton Country Park. We then took a footpath which dropped downhill into the valley and lead us through the fields to Great Easton. We followed the stream through the village to the very hospitable pub (The Sun) and sat outside to have our lunch. After lunch and with the weather becoming very cloudy we walked through the church and on to a footpath back towards Blaston. At the start of the path we hit difficulties with a series stiles either being broken or overgrown. The path then followed the stream gently up hill to Priory Farm. Here we walked in the light snow on the road back into Blaston. We all agreed that the walk is to be highly recommended with its wonderful views and the welcoming pub.

On a fresh, bright and dry day 10 of us set off from Emmaus. We turned right from the car park and set off on a farm track which led past some small holdings into the fields. We soon turned left and walked past the derelict Bagden Farm and on to Great Oaks Wood on the right. Continuing on the path we arrived at New Barns Farm. Here we walked through the farm yard to join the access road to the farm. We stayed on the access road until we passed a house on the right where we turned left on to a bridleway.  On past Nicholas Farm we arrived at the outskirts of Carlton. Turning left we walked away from the village to the road back to Emmaus and the end of the walk, where we enjoyed a meal at the Emmaus café.

On a sunny autumn day 11 of us met at Wymington Church and set off towards on the footpath to Farndish.  We soon crossed the two railway lines and after walking through a small wood linked up with the byway that leads to the Irchester/Farndish road. Here we turned right and walked into Irchester stopping at the communication tower for coffee. On arriving in Irchester we turned into London End and walked through the houses to the playing field off Arkwright Road. We walked through the field to a footpath and turned back towards Wymington. After walking under the railway we made our way back on the farm tracks to Green Lane and then on back to Wymington and the start. Lovely walk on a lovely day the only disappointment was we were unable to get to Poddington Garden Centre for lunch because the road was flooded under the railway bridge.

During the drive to Long Buckby, we encountered some horrendous weather, rain sheeting down and windy enough to bring trees down, the magnificent seven decided to go for it and walk! Having travelled less than a mile, the rain cleared away, leaving blue skies and a wintery sun above us. Travelling South, we left the village of Long Buckby,  transversing the railway line, heading towards the village of Whilton in the distance, for a welcome coffee stop. On the small green, alongside the memorial, we read about a local hero, Captain Harry Reynolds, who served in the WW1, gaining the Victoria Cross and the Military Cross.  It was lovely to see a small village, so proud of one of their residences. Walking out of the village we headed towards the site of a medieval village of Muscott.  Nothing remains, but the earthworks, and a farm called Muscott Mill. Following a farm track and crossing over the M1, we descended into the Grand Union Canal towpath, for a pleasant walk to our lunch stop at the Whilton Locks Cafe. After lunch, we continued on towards Long Buckley Wharf, negotiating one hairy moment, when the tow path was 9" under water and extremely slippery! Once they opened the lock, to let a boat through the water receded enough for us to continue. Leaving the canal behind, we turned towards Long Buckby crossing several fields, but luckily we were able to follow the locals and walk the edges of the fields, instead of walking over ploughed fields that were heavy with the recent rain! Finally returning to the market place, where we were all amazed at our luck with the weather. It just goes to show you, never be put off starting out in the rain, you never know what the day brings.

11 walkers started from Duck Street and followed the Greenway.  Then passing Waitrose and over the road bridge into the Lakes. At 11.00am by the visitor Centre 5 more walkers joined us and we continued walking around the lake. It was good that some of our members who are less able were able to walk with us.   A nice gentle walk and then we all stopped for a cuppa and chat. The 11 starters then followed the same route back to Duck Street.

A morning walk led by Megan Laughton from the ‘Star and Garter’ Chelveston,

 3¼ miles, 19 walkers, 12 doing 3.5 miles and 7 doing a stroll around the village. Weather dry, slightly misty, warm for time of year .Replicating a walk from Monday September 19th 2011 (ten years earlier!) Crossing the road from the ‘Star and Garter’ into Foot Lane and Water Lane we crossed the wooden bridge into a ploughed field.  Traversing the large field we came to a wooden bridge (new since 2011!) where there was good view of Stanwick/Chelveston Cliffs (an old stone quarry).  Photographs of the group were taken (as in 2011). Turning left the ‘cliffs’ were seen across a large field on the right and eventually the footpath (rather overgrown) led to a ‘kissing’ gate.  Through this and turning right the footpath led on to the Stanwick/Higham road. Turning right along the road for a short distance we then turned right on to a marked footpath which traversed the top of the cliff face seen earlier.  Eventually turning right at markers we crossed fields into Chelveston and thus to the ‘Star and Garter’ where 17 people dined.

Ten of us started from East Carlton Country Park on a lovely autumn day. We walked through the country park to pick up the Jurassic Way into Middleton. We then walked on undulating paths along the edge of the Welland Valley through the lovely Camsdale to the Blackthorn Wood Golf Course. Taking care through the golf course we soon reached the Market Harborough road. Here we followed a bridleway for 1¼ Miles until we reached a minor road with a gate. We stopped here for our coffee break. After coffee we continued walking along the road and after ignoring two turnings off to the left we took a footpath which led us back to the Market Harborough road. We crossed over and walked on a footpath into Wilbarston. We walked through the village and turned left into Barlows Lane. Soon we took another footpath which took us into Stoke Albany. We made our way to the pub where we all had a drink but they would not allow us to eat our packed lunches. So we made our way to the village green and sat in the sun and had our lunch. After lunch we walked through the village to the village hall. Here we re-joined the Jurassic Way back towards Wilbarston . We branched of the road to take a footpath up the hill into Wilbarston Churchyard. Here we admired the views over the Welland Valley again. We then walked through the village and on to the village hall and playing field. Here we took a footpath through the playing field and on across the fields back to East Carlton and the Country Park. We all remarked on what a lovely walk it was with magnificent views of the Welland Valley and how lucky we had been with the weather.  

On a nice bright sunny day 17 of us set off from Saffron Road and down Vine Hill drive to Vine Hill Close.  We walked down the footpath to the Riverside Pocket Park. Here we did a circular walk around the park then headed across the road bridge and followed the River Nene until we got to the Greenway.  We continued on this path until we got back to Saffron Road and the start.

20 walkers 15 doing approximately 2½ Miles and 5 doing a shorter version of ½ mile. It was an extremely hot day so some of the walk was shortened so we could finish before the heat was too much and reached the high 20’s.  Both walks started by the church and up Sandye Lane.  On reaching the small carpark the two groups separated. 15 of the walkers carried on up the track passing Swineshead Wood. On reaching the entrance of Spanoak Wood we turned right.  After about 25yds we turned right at a wooden bridge over a ditch and crossed a field to a waymarker.  Then it was uphill following the hedge to the brow of the hill.  It was then on this path all the way to Pertenhall Road.  Here we turned right and then into Swineshead High Street and back to the start. The shorter walk took the footpath from the carpark on the right and back to the village and Swineshead Church. It was so lovely to see people who hadn’t walked with the group for a while enjoying meeting up again.  There was also an added bonus the church was opened so we could look around it.  It was also very welcome being a nice cool place as temperature rose.  Everyone enjoyed the walks and socialising.

Ten of us started from Higham Park Road on a very grey overcast day - We passed through Higham Park Farm and crossed the infant River Till and then set off across a wheat field yet to be harvested to a very overgrown path which eventually emerged on to the A6 road. We then crossed the A6 and walked to the Three Shires Way on the right. Soon the track met the Forty Foot Lane which we followed over the railway into Great Hays Wood where we stopped for our coffee break - After our coffee we continued on the lane to a bridleway on the left. We followed this to a footpath on the left which led us back over the railway and on into Souldrop where we had lunch around the tree in the centre of The Green. After lunch we took a footpath back to the A6 where we crossed over into Sheeprack Wood and walked on the bridleway through the woods. We then continued across the fields to the Knotting Road - Here we turned left and walked to Knotting Church where we looked around the church and took a drinks break - From the church we headed back towards Higham Park by taking a track which passed between some very large fields being harvested with multiple combine harvesters and numerous tractors collecting the wheat and bailing the straw. As we walked back past Higham Park Farm the wheat was being stored in the barns. Lovely walk with perfect conditions for walking

On a mostly dry sunny day 17 walkers started the walk. The walkers headed down Kings Meadow Lane and Greenway.  After crossing the bridge over the River Nene we followed the footpath keeping the river to the right .  At the end of the footpath we climbed some steps onto the old railway track and continued on it until we reached Stanwick Lakes.  When reaching the assault course on the right we headed past it to follow the river on the left of the path until we crossed the weir.  The path took us to a lake where we turned right and continued until we reached the entrance road. We crossed and followed a path around another lake and then crossed the causeway and to the Visitor Centre where we paused for a drink.  Back then along the railway track to where we started.

Eight of us set off from the car park at the Brodie Lodge Playing Field in Flore on a very grey and humid day with heavy rain forecast. As we set off we noticed a lot of activity in the playing field as a dog show was being set up. We left the car park following the Nene Way to Heyford Mill and on across the Nene into Nether Heyford with its lovely clapper bridges over the stream – We had a brief stop at the green for refreshments and then set off across the fields to Bugbrooke. Here we had a longer stop for coffee in the pocket park by the church and the brook (presumably the Bug brook). After briefly retracing our steps we walked to the Grand Union Canal and passed “The Old Crown” which used to be a pub beside the canal and is now a private residence. From the canal we headed across the fields to a bridge over the main West Coast Railway line and then climbed the hill past a scrambling circuit to the A5 road. We crossed over the road (It then occurred to us that we had crossed three means of transport in the space of a mile of walking) we continued climbing up to the very suitably named Upper Stowe. Having given everybody a fright on being surprised by a manikin in the hedge dressed in a high visability jacket.  It was very life like. On arriving at Upper Stowe we had lunch on the curly seat under the tree in the centre of the village. After being refreshed by lunch we walked to Church Stowe and we followed the path downhill then back up hill into the village. We then left the village by the church and then walked across the fields on an undulating footpath back to a bridge over the canal. From here we continued on to the A5 road which we crossed and made our way to a footbridge across the River Nene back into Flore and the dog show (now in full swing) at the start. Although it was very grey all day we had no rain and we all agreed that walk must be one of the most picturesque in the county with extensive views in all directions.  

Twelve of us started the walk at Lodge Road where we all parked.  We crossed the road and walked into a wooded pocket park where we passed the site of a castle.  Then onto Yelnow Lane and Colworth Road where we took the footpath through the wood.  We continued on this footpath for a mile or so before stopping for a break.  We then returned on the same footpath so we kept to the wooded area because it was a very hot day.

Twelve of us met outside the Bell Pub in Little Addington on a glorious July summers evening. Unfortunately one of the walkers did not feel well shortly after we set off and our numbers reduced to ten. We set of on the Nene Way which took us through magical fields of Barley waving in the breeze. The path then dropped down to the River Nene where we crossed the river into Stanwick Lakes. Some of our number soon sampled the Zip Wire. Having prised them away we walked on the disused railway track to a gate and a road. Here we went left and passed the entrance to Blackthorn Lake Marina and on over the Rive Nene by a lock – We then walked on pleasant paths into Great Addington and the Hare & Hounds Pub where we stopped for a very welcome drink. Having refreshed ourselves we walked down the hill towards Little Addington and turned off on to a footpath by the brook. At the end of the path we crossed over a wheat field back to Little Addington and the start. All of us agreed it had been a very pleasant evening.

Nine walkers met at 10.00am in the village of Melchbourne.  Two did their own shorter walk around the  village.

The rest of the group seven of us had a pleasant walk of approx. 3 miles across fields up to the periphery of Coppice Wood and Lady Wood.  We had superb views of Melchbourne Hall and surrounding countryside.  We continued through Melchbourne Park and back through the woods to the village.  The weather was kind to us and we all had a most enjoyable walk.

Twenty three of us met at the Hall Park car park for the first time in 16 months following the Covid 19 lockdowns for the Welcome Back Walk – Colin led the walk which was designed to be as long or as short as required to suit the walker. We left the park by the Wymington Road entrance and then walked on the Wymington Road towards Wymington – We turned left into Harvey Road and walked through to Glenacre Drive via Fuchsia Drive and Magnolia Way. Turning left then right into Crocus Way through to Clover Drive and on into Victoria Park and the Bedford Road. Turning right to the footpath here three of our group decided to take the shorter route by walking to the bypass roundabout and taking the Bedfordshire / Northamptonshire border bridleway to the Wymington Road and back to Hall Park completing a 3½ mile walk. The rest of us took the footpath to the bypass which we crossed into a series of fields with numerous wild flowers on to Avenue Road at Higham Park. Here we turned right and walked to the Bedford Road where we turned right again and walked to the bypass roundabout. Here seven of us decided to cut the walk short by walking back via the Bedford Road. The remainder of us took the Bedfordshire / Northamptonshire border bridleway to the footpath to Wymington. Here the group split again with seven of us returning to Hall Park by continuing on the bridleway and walking on Ashby Drive and Barnwell Road back to Hall Park a walk of 5½ Miles. The remaining six of us took the footpath into Wymington where we had lunch at the church. After lunch we took the bridleway towards Irchester – Soon we weaved our way around field edges to reach the railway which we followed until we reached to outskirts of Knuston Hall which we skirted around to an access road. We then followed the track towards the Irchester Road. Just before the road we turned right and walked to the Bedfordshire / Northamptonshire border bridleway. Here we turned right and followed the bridleway to a gap on the left into Lodge Road and made our way back to Hall Park completing a walk of 9½ Miles and a very successful return to our walking programme.