Hello and welcome back to my blog 😊.

The strong winds of yesterday had continued overnight as storm Kathleen showed no signs of moving on. I checked the weather forecast first thing and it was due to stay dry until lunchtime although the strong winds (50 mph) would persist. Right, I thought, lets get out for a walk!

I started walking at 07:45 leaving Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir and heading west along the canal. I fancied doing a 14 mile walk – my plan was to see how the weather developed.

It was a sunny start but windier and cooler than yesterday. I wished I had brought another layer with me.

I reached lock 13 which is a lock currently being restored by The Grantham Canal Society. https://www.granthamcanal.org/ The restoration is at the early stage of getting the lock in a position to be able to assess the brickwork. Dams are needed either side of the lock and a pipe to carry water around to bypass the lock. Once this is done the lock can be pumped out and the assessment started.

I was walking on good section towpath at this stage but feeling battered from the wind.

Along this stretch I saw a couple of herons and, as per usual, they flew off whenever I got to within 100 ft of them. I would have liked a photograph.

The swans were more obliging.

Along the way are signs denoting the distance from the river Trent – the start of the canal.

I passed a derelict Lengthman’s hut (the Lengthman was responsible for maintaining a certain section of the canal) – there is a restored hut further west near Hickling basin. I wonder whether this one will get restored at some stage?

I came across an old bench seat that had become part of the tree as the tree has grown.

Along this section the canal was not open – weeds and reeds were taking over. I quite like the reeds.

As I got near to Redmile the clouds were turning black and as I didn’t fancy getting wet I turned around and headed back.

Belvoir castle could be seen in the distance.

As I neared Woolsthorpe I took the cycle path and visited the graffiti in a tunnel – its quite good I think.

I arrived back at my car and just as I was taking my boots off the heavens opened up – Someone was looking after me this morning 😊. It had been a bracing walk and I was looking forward to warming up.

Happy Walking! 😊🚶‍♂️