Hello and welcome back to my blog 😊.

Today, I enjoyed a 8-mile circular walk from ‘The Duck’ pub at Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir. The walk took me along the tranquil Grantham Canal and then up to Belvoir Castle (curiously, pronounced beever by locals) where I admired the views. Walking through fields to the village of Woolsthorpe I headed steeply uphill again, enjoying glorious views of the surrounding countryside. Finally, I dropped down to the canal again and a short walk brought me back to the pub.

It was an overcast morning as I set off along the grassed section of towpath of the half-mile pound between locks 15 and 16. Half way along I met an angler who was just setting up his kit for a days fishing – I wished him good fishing!

It will be nice when the trees are full of leaves once again – they look quite bleak without.

Along this stretch I noticed that the offside bank had deposits of silt on it – evidence of the Grantham Canal Society removing silt from this stretch of Canal. I passed a couple of dogs walking their humans and upset a few ducks who weren’t expecting anyone to be walking along.

A couple of restored locks were passed along the way.

The towpath changed from grass to stone as I headed for Longore bridge, crossing the Lincolnshire/ Leicestershire border – no passports required 😊.

A couple of Swans were nest building in the reeds- it will be interesting to come back later on in the year and see the new arrivals.

At Muston Gorse bridge I left the towpath, passing the remains of The Dukes Wharf. A tramway connected the Canal to Belvoir Castle from 1815 for many years taking coal and other supplies up to the Castle. The Wharf was recently ‘found’ again by the Grantham Canal Society who are now crowdfunding to restore the wharf and weighhouse. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/gcsweigh-house

My route now took me along roads to reach Belvoir and the Castle -joining the ‘Cross Britain Way’.

It was starting to get slightly brighter at this stage with the odd glimmer of sun. The Castle looked magnificent in its dominant position.

I passed through grassed fields, some containing sheep who were most curious about their visitor today.

Crossing the River Devon I made my way into the village passing through the carpark for ‘The Chequers’ pub on the way to a steep climb uphill.

Looking back, whilst catching my breath, the village and Castle provided a quintessentially English view.

At the top I picked up The Viking Way and headed downhill towards the canal, enjoying the views.

The final stretch was as easy walk along the towpath to Woolsthorpe bridge.

As always, the walk had been great. There is no better way to boost the spirit or get some exercise.

Happy Walking! 😊🚶