Wyvern Probus Walking Group 2024
Probus Walk Report 2nd Oct 2024
The sky was grey and threatening as eight Wyvern Probus walkers plus Bonnie Stewart met on the car park of the Old White Hart in Lyddington. They were joined by guest walker Jim Paine and his dog Monty who live in the village. The linear walk organised by Gordon Squires was to Seaton and back, a distance of four miles. Having donned wet weather gear, we set off across the green in front of the pub. As we left the village, we entered a field and, on our right, we could see the remains of three medieval fish ponds. These were associated with the Lyddington Bede House, the standing remains of a medieval Palace belonging to the Bishops of Lincoln.
There was rain in the air but so far, not a problem. Leaving the field, we joined a wooded bridleway which gave us some shelter. After a couple of hundred yards or so we left the bridleway and entered a large open field. We had a wide, expansive view, over large well tilled fields, of Prestley Hill on our right and looking towards Seaton in the far distance, the high ground of the Barrows.
The walk continued along the edge of the field; the ground very wet but walkable. Two of our colleagues were walking, for the first time, in Wellingtons. One of them, no names no pack drill, was splashing through standing water just as he had done as a small boy, some seven decades ago! The three of us in front were being ‘pestered’ by dog Monty to kick his ball for him to chase and retrieve. Eventually we reached Grange Lane and the buildings of Seaton Grange Farm. At this juncture Jim was finding the going a bit too much and had decided to turn back to Lyddington. The three in front were some distance ahead of the others, still accompanied by dog Monty. We then waited for David Caines to reach us, with Bonnie’s lead which he had borrowed to take Monty back to Jim, his owner. David then walked back to the farm with Monty and offered to walk back with Jim. Jim declined his offer and set off back to Lyddington. The rest of us then waited for David to rejoin us at the main road junction.
Gordon had arranged for our ‘pit stop’ to be taken at the George and Dragon pub in the village. This was very welcome, a respite from the rain and a warming cup of coffee. Leaving the pub the idea was to visit the church but it was locked so we walked through the church yard, down to the road to admire the old village school, now a private house. Martin taking this opportunity to record us, for posterity.
By now the light rain had become heavier and the wet weather gear was really being tested as we started to retrace our steps back to Lyddington
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Back on the car park, as we discarded or waterproofs, a disconsolate David Caines was seen emptying water out of his shoes. He had forgotten to put them into his car when changing into his boots that morning! We enjoyed a very pleasant lunch and accompanying libations to round of what, despite the rain, had been a very amiable and enjoyable morning.
Richard Ward
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Owing to extensive holiday commitments there was no walk on 4th September.
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Walk Report, Wednesday, 7th August 2024
On the morning of 7th August, our group of six walkers—Chris, David, Mike, Philip, Patrick, and Charles—gathered in the car park of The Stag at Maidwell, ready to embark on a six-mile walk. We were joined by Bonnie, Charles’s ever-enthusiastic dog. The walk was led by Mike Stephens, who promised a pleasant route devoid of stiles and featuring an intriguing passage through the old Kelmarsh railway tunnel.
The tunnel, which spans 1,570 feet, is part of the old Northampton to Market Harborough line, first opened in 1859. Due to its narrow bore, it was once referred to as ‘the rat-hole’ by train drivers, a name that hinted at the slightly claustrophobic experience awaiting us torches in hand.
We set off at 9:30am winding through the countryside, with Bonnie darting ahead and then doubling back to check on her human companions. The first part of the walk was straightforward, and before long, we approached the halfway mark, where Mike had planned a break for our traditional elevenses.
As we neared the spot, we were surprised to be hailed by a tattooed lady who, when walking her dog, had apparently come across Mike’s carefully hidden wicker picnic basket he had secreted in a hedge earlier that morning. The woman, curious and perhaps slightly amused by her unusual find, handed it over to Mike.
Grateful for the basket’s recovery, we decided to sit down on the grass next to the nearby road for our break. The familiar sight of Jaffa Cakes and the welcoming aroma of coffee lifted our spirits as we relaxed and chatted.
However, our peaceful moment didn’t go unnoticed. A farm vehicle pulled up, and the woman driver leaned out to enquire if we were ‘quite all right’, perhaps mistaking our roadside picnic for a group in distress or a re-enactment from Last of the Summer Wine. We reassured her that all was well, just enjoying a well-earned rest and some light refreshments.
With a chuckle at the unexpected encounters, we finished our break and prepared to continue the walk, looking forward to the final stretch that would take us back for lunch at The Stag. The tunnel, the impromptu encounters, and the laughter made for a memorable walk, proving once again that the best adventures often lie in the unexpected.
Patrick Holligan
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Walk Report, Wednesday, 3rd July 2024
On 3 July five of us assembled in the well-hidden Aylestone Meadows car park for a cross city walk led by Chris Mitchell, who promised us a very different experience to the usual rural outings. He guaranteed us no stiles to climb, but much impressive graffiti between the far reaches of East and West Leicester.
Starting with an idyllic meandering canal sidewalk for a mile, we soon were presented with a wonderful view of the King Power Leicester city Stadium, and then shortly on to Western Boulevard passing under various bridges and main roads. Surrounding us for much of this stretch were many huge high-rise Leicester University buildings giving the impression that the old city had turned into one huge university.
We viewed the back of Leicester Castle and Castle Gardens from the other side of the canal and passed under West bridge with the heavy noise of traffic blending with the indignant quacking of ducks as they vacated their canal side perches.
Approaching the Frog Island area we were confronted with a vast building site where literally hundreds of houses were going up as far as the eye could see.
As the quality and size of the graffiti became evermore imaginative on factory walls, we dropped down under Woodgate / Frog Island for a half mile stretch, then suddenly up into Abbey Park and across the width of the park to the large Cafe frontage.
Here Chris unpacked our half time drinks and chocolate biscuits just as it came on to rain so we decided not to linger long before emerging from the park. Before long, our canal side walk passed the back of the National Space Centre, and the Abbey Pumping station eventually passing under the noisy six lanes of Watermead Way
near the red hill roundabout and on to the start of the Riverside Park near Birstall when suddenly three of us found we were alone amongst the bullrushes.
Retracing our steps we found Patrick supporting David, whose legs had lost all feeling. For the last 3/4 of a mile, we took it in turns of two to support him in a struggle to keep him walking upright and to reach our destination, the White Horse pub.
Soon after, an ambulance and two paramedics arrived and started to carry out many tests and checks while the rest of us decided to order pints and pies to give the medics time to complete the examination.
To our great relief, David was finally declared fit enough not to need a visit to A&E and so ended a rather unusual walk of nearly seven miles.
C.S.M.M.
[Chris Mitchell]
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Wyvern Probus Walk Report, 1st May 2024
David Cain’s May walk was based the Black Horse Pub in Foxton. A splendid turnout of nine members met on the car park on a somewhat dull morning though with a dry weather forecast. Stepping of at 9.45 am we left the car park, walking down the main street to join the canal tow path heading for Foxton Locks Basin. David had informed us that the walk would be seven miles so it followed that we would have to maintain a decent pace to keep to the schedule.
When the leaders reached the bridge to cross the basin we were already spread out and there was a delay as we waited for the ‘tail enders’ to arrive. Leaving the locks we entered a pasture field and continued over this field till we reached the Gumley road. We crossed the road, entered another pasture field and continued over several more fields, very pleasant walking in attractive and open countryside. Having crossed four, relatively easy stiles, we reached the Laughton Road. At this juncture Patrick met a new friend (pictured) Here we were met by David’s wife Liz who had provided a splendid coffee stop arrayed in the boot of her car. With a choice of either tea or coffee and a choice of biscuits and the almost obligatory jaffa cakes we were spoiled for choice.
We were somewhat behind schedule by now so David decided on a shortening of our route back. Additionally, Liz offed to give Brian Marlow and David Mitchell a lift back to Gumley to shorten their return walk to Foxton. David was suffering from a strained knee and would accompany Brian on the walk back to Foxton.
Suitably refreshed we walked along the road through Laughton and continued on the road to Gumley. We were passed by an elegant lady horse rider who at a quick glance could be mistaken for a Police rider due to tabard she was wearing! We cut the corner as we entered Gumley walking through the wood and coming out by the church. Leaving the village, we continued walking over open fields towards the canal encountering a very awkward and muddy stile. At this point two other walkers, a couple, were contemplating how best to tackle the crossing and watched us as we negotiated this obstacle. We crossed the canal having ascended a steep bridge and walked along the towpath past the lock basin and back to Foxton and the pub. As had been the case for much of the walk, particularly on the latter stages, we were quite well strung out but eventually we were all reunited at the pub in time for a well-earned pint and an enjoyable lunch.
Richard Ward
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Probus Walk Report April 3rd 2024
The Wheatsheaf Pub in Edith Weston was the venue for Charles Stewart’s April Walk. Shortly after 9.15 am nine worthy members of the club were busy pre-ordering their lunches, donning their walking boots and preparing for the forthcoming six-mile walk through the Rutland countryside.
The weather was not that promising, chilly and cloudy with a very slight drizzle which luckily soon cleared. We set of along the Manton road and out of the village, accompanied by Bonnie Stewart. One of our colleagues was regretting his memory lapse having forgotten to pick up his anorak as he left his house! After a quarter of a mile or so we left the busy Manton road and entered Edith Weston road which would eventually lead us into the pretty village of Lyndon. We noted that the farmland around us was heavy with standing water.
Passing the headquarters of Lyndon Farms we joined Luffenham Road and then Church Road as we walked through the village. The sun was now out and the breeze had dropped as we admired the attractive houses in the village as we walked along Church Road. On the outskirts of Lyndon we passed St Martin’s Church which attracted the attention of our own Martin Waddington (St Martin, born in Todi, Tuscany was Pope from 649 - 53)
Church Road took us to Lyndon Top and as we walked down a steep slope towards the Lyndon Visitor Centre, we had a wonderful view of Rutland Water looking over to the Hambleton Peninsula. The Centre was the chosen coffee stop and we quickly occupied the benches in the front of the Centre. Charles was supplying us with refreshments as we occupied the benches, so David Mitchell and Philip Parkinson bought themselves coffees from the shop to justify our use of the seating!
After our break we left the Centre and walked along the South Shore footpath on the return leg of our walk. This is a scenic walk with the water immediately to the left and for much of the way the Rutland Water golf course on the right. The golfers amongst us were reminiscing on previous successes and considerably more failures on the several holes that we passed!
We eventually entered Gibbet Lane passing the Sailing Centre and the caravan site as we walked into Weston Road, passing the village school and reaching Manton Road. At this juncture a light drizzle had started but we were soon back to the car park and ready for a beverage or two and our lunches. Patrick recorded our walk as 6.2 miles. As ever an enjoyable and entertaining outing and as Charles had promised, we did not have to negotiate a single stile!
Richard Ward
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PROBUS WALK – WEDNESDAY 6th MARCH 2024
Eight of us (and Bonnie) met in the car park of the Tollemache Arms, Harrington on a misty morning. The weather was calm, and not too cold – the first signs of our approaching Spring.
We left the car park at 9.45 a.m. and soon turned through the first gate by the pub, to cross a large open field, leading into another where we could see to our left, several large bumps, known as ‘The Falls’, the remains of the old Manor House and gardens. It was clear from the outset that the black and white waymarking was very sparse, but we managed to spot the gap in the far hedge to climb into the next field. However, on reaching the stile, we found the surrounds in thick mud and grimy water. With a great deal of difficulty, we did manage to climb the stile, but David Caines sensibly decided to take a lower route via a cattle enclosure and he emerged without blemish, walking up the field from our right.
We walked through further fields to reach a humped bridge, over the river, which was a convenient spot for a group photo. Bonnie made the most of this stop, charging into the river several times to retrieve her valued stick.
We reached the quiet road at Arthingworth and viewed to our left the magnificent house, believed to belong to a pop star, but Martin was unable to remember details.
From Arthingworth we walked along quiet roads, encountering a couple of friendly hose riders as we climbed towards the top, before reaching a convenient spot by the roadside to enjoy a suitable mid-morning snack with fine views over the valley.
From here we walked some distance downhill to a bend in the road, where several of us remembered seeing a security camera in a large tree overlooking the road. We spotted a black shape still in the tree, but surmised that it was simply the remains of the camera.
From this point, we climbed the long hill up to Harrington, arriving at 12.15 p.m. We then enjoyed a superb lunch at the Tollemache Arms, and were given excellent service there.
When we emerged from the pub, the sun was shining brightly – a pity it had not emerged a little earlier!
Martin Waddington
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Walk Report 7th February 2024
Six stalwart members of Wyvern Probus plus Bonnie Stewart met on the car park of the Cheney Arms in Gaddesby for the February walk. The morning was sunny and thankfully after the previous night’s heavy rain, dry. Distance to be walked was five miles taking in the villages of Barsby and Ashby Folville, returning to Gaddesby for lunch in the pub.
Setting off at 9.30 am we crossed the road climbed the first of several styles we were to encounter and joined a footpath that soon showed evidence of the last nights rain. Leaving the footpath, we entered a grass field which having crossed found ourselves on an upwards walk over a very muddy field. We then crossed the second style of the morning to walk across grass field then though a hedge and into another grass field. Climbing our third style of the day into another field we approached Barsby. We walked through the village, crossed the main road and walked into Baggrave End.
Leaving Barsby we were walking on a pleasant grassy track which eventually turned into a muddy path alongside a field and took us to the next style to be dealt with. Here David Caines was on hand to ensure no one came to grief as they crossed! A steady ascent took us up to the highest point of our walk with views in the distance of Thorpe Satchville and Twyford. Walking downhill over yet another muddy field we reached a stream. We walked alongside this stream and joined a hard surfaced track. Shortly afterwards we stopped to enjoy a coffee break and the almost, by now, obligatory Jaffa Cakes! Continuing along this track we met a lady dog walker before joining the road on the edge of Ashby Folville. We continued through the village and joined the Leicestershire Round with the fast-flowing Gaddesby Brook on our left. Having crossed several fields, we reached the penultimate style at the end of a narrow and very muddy section of the walk. Crossing the final grass field, we climbed the last style of the morning and walked down to Church Lane and along the footpath back to the Cheney Arms.
We enjoyed a well-earned pint before enjoying an excellent lunch and as ever, in a companionable and convivial atmosphere.
Richard Ward
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Wednesday, 3rd January
Cancelled due to flooding. For the record, this was only the second time in the last eighteen years that we have had to cancel - the first was a few years ago when we had to cancel a June walk due to rain!
