Hello and welcome back to my blog 😊.

With the temperature set to peak today (32 Deg C) during our fourth heatwave of the summer, the Three Amigos met up early (at Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir) to enjoy a short walk of 6 miles and avoid the extreme heat. The plan was to walk beside the canal to Muston Gorse bridge, then follow paths to get to the Sustrans track and head back to Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir.

Setting off from The Duck pub we made our way to join the towpath of the Grantham Canal. Regular readers will know that I enjoy walking beside the canal. Crossing Woolsthorpe bridge No 61 we could see very little water in the Duck Pound. Nature is reclaiming the canal unfortunately.

Work is underway at lock 16, further downstream, to get the gates water tight. However, there is not much water coming down the canal, hence the dry canal.

Most of the canal network is feeling the lack of water.

Walking along the grass towpath towards lock 15 we met a big dog (a great Dane) that was walking his human. He was a friendly chap-as was his human 😊.

Reaching Woolsthorpe middle lock (No 15) we enjoyed seeing Belvoir Castle perched on the hill in the distance- its always impressive to see. There was not a cloud in sight, and it was definitely hotting up.

Pausing under bridge 60 (Stenwith bridge) we peered into the canal, taking advantage of the sunlight illuminating the water, to see a multitude of fish swimming to and fro. Soon we reached Muston Gorse bridge ( No 57) where we left the towpath and entered fields.

We were heading for the village of Muston. After crossing fields we joined a track where we met a horse and rider and had a good chat.

There were a large number of topics of conversation occupying the Three Amigos, as they perambulated along the route.

Having reaching Muston we had a short section of quiet road to walk along before joining the Sustrans cycle trail. Overhanging trees provided some shade from the sun along the cycle trail.

Passing through a tunnel I appreciated the graffiti painted on the walls. It really is rather good.

Soon, we were arriving back onto the canal towpath and had a short walk back to Woolsthorpe bridge. This was the end of todays walk – it had been a nice little walk in good company.

What was amazing was getting into the car and not being roasted alive – we had parked in the shade and it was still early enough not to be in the sun. Its the simple things that give pleasure!

Happy Walking! 😊🚶