This morning myself and Angela enjoyed a 10 mile walk along the Grantham Canal from Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir to the end of the canal in Grantham.
Locks and SwansIce sheets on the canal
Angela had never walked some of this section so it was good that she saw the Grantham end for the first time.
It was a much milder morning than we have had recently, so that although it was breezy it was not bitter cold. There was still ice on the surface of the canal and it was interesting watching the swans waddling on the ice.
Swan on the ice.
This section of towpath is in good order and a nice surface to walk on.
Good footpath
The miles slipped by along this tranquil section of canal. We passed under Harlaxton bridge and headed towards where the A1 was built on top of where the canal used to run.
Harlaxton Bridge where there used to be a wharf
Nearing the A1 we passed a new landing stage so I couldn’t resist having a walk along it.
Passing under the A1 we followed the canal to its destination in Grantham. The end part of this section was not brilliant – a lot of supermarket trollies and plastic/metal bottles/cans had been thrown into the canal.
One of many shopping trollies in the canalRubbish in the canal
Having reached the end of the canal we headed back towards Woolsthorpe. The towpath was busier at this stage – cyclists and dog walkers. The sun was shining and we were soon back at the car. We await the arrival of storm Isha this evening hoping that it doesn’t wreak too much damage.
This morning I met up with Mick and Chris to do a cracking 8 mile circular walk beginning along a ridge overlooking the Vale of Belvoir, passing through Branston, Knipton and then past the Belvoir Castle estate back to the start.
I awoke this morning to a lovely sunrise – it was going to be a sunny day!
It was a chilly start and the ground was frozen solid as we set off on a good tree lined path along the ridge.
The ridge footpath
Looking to our right we could see way across the Vale and point out distant land marks.
Leaving the ridge we turned onto a deeply rutted track (Toft’s Lane ) and followed this to pick up the Jubilee Way for a short distance. The sun was shining and there were great views to take in.
Tofts Lane
Chris and Mick were pointing out various species of birds along the way, of which there were many – red kites, buzzards in particular wheeling, gliding and soaring majestically in the clear blue sky. The crunchy cracking of the ice in puddles as we walked along accompanied us.
Track on the way to Branston
At the end of the farm track we turned right onto the road to walk up a moderate hill into Branston where we entered a farm and passed through a field of sheep going down a hill and over a rickety/icy bridge followed by a steep climb up out of the valley.
This brought us to a field where we caught glimpses of Knipton Reservoir as we followed the clear path across.
Exiting the field brought us on to a road that had very little traffic. This would take us towards Knipton village. The road was white with frost so care was needed when placing your feet.
On the road to KniptonA view on the road to Knipton
We caught another glimpse of the reservoir along the road.
Knipton Reservoir at the end of the field
Myself and Mick have done this walk many times and tradition dictates that we stop at the village Post Office and buy a hot drink and maybe some snacks. We then sit on a bench adjacent to the lovely babbling brook and enjoy our purchases. Today, we both chose a hot Bovril and it went down very well I can tell you!.
Knipton VillageThe babbling brookA welcome cup of Bovril
Suitably refreshed we followed the road out of Knipton towards Belvoir castle soaking up more nice frost filled views.
I think we were probably aware that the weather is changing back to wet and windy over the weekend so it was nice to enjoy the sunny weather today. Soon we were back on the ridge and heading for the cars.
Back on the ridge
We all had enjoyed the walk and particularly being the in fresh air and the sunshine. The miles had passed very quickly with the chat speeding us along.
This morning I did an 11 mile walk along the Grantham Canal from the Dirty Duck pub in Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir to Redmile and back again.
I set off walking at 08:00 and I didn’t meet a soul for 3 hrs – it was wonderful!
The start by the Dirty Duck PubA moody sky over the pubThe Grantham Canal Society Depot at WoolsthorpeThe weed dredgerThe path lies ahead.
The Grantham Canal is a dis-used canal that runs from Grantham to the River Trent in Nottingham (33 miles). It is what is referred to as a contour canal because when it was built it followed the contours of the land – hence it is wiggly! It is gradually being restored by The Grantham Canal Society. The aim is to get the canal fully navigable again and this will involve putting in a new cut to get from the outskirts of Nottingham to the Trent because of roads etc that have been built across the original route. It is a very long term project.
The canal opened in 1797 having cost £118,500 to build. From Nottingham the canal carried coal, coke, lime building materials and groceries. Returning from Grantham boats carried corn, malt, bean, wool and agricultural produce.
The walk was a mixed bag of nice pathways and very muddy ones.
Nice reed beds
Along the way I saw 4 herons close to the towpath but do you think I could capture a photo – as soon as I got anywhere near they flew off further away from me. Most frustrating but wonderful to see them.
A restored lock
A de-tour was required around lock 13 which is just at the early stages of being renovated.
Dam across the canal to aid the renovationThe start of the detour
In the distance I could see impressive Belvoir castle.
Belvoir castle in the distance
I really liked the reed beds along the way.
Reed beds
I said ‘Hello’ to quite a few Swans – good job no one was about!
Near Muston there a breach in the side wall of the canal visible and the water had dropped 2 feet. It has breached here before and the temporary repair has failed. The Canals and Rivers Trust has been made aware.
Breach in canal
Along the way I passed a disused Lengthman’s hut – the Lengthmen were responsible for lengths of towpath including repair and maintenance of banks. To see what a restored Lengthmans hut looks like see my blog https://wordpress.com/post/oldblokewalking.blog/1686
Roughly half way I stopped for a coffee and a scotch egg. It was definitely on the chilly side this morning. On the return leg I avoided a boggy section of the towpath taking a cycle trail instead.
The cycle trail
The path took me through a tunnel that had some interesting graffiti in it.
Soon after I was arriving back at my car.
Nearly back at my carWay marker on the cycle trail
It had been a great walk and I look forward to my next.
This morning I met up with Mick and we did a pleasant 8 mile walk in the Vale of Belvoir starting and finishing at the Dirty Duck pub in Woolsthorpe-on-Belvoir. We walked along the Grantham canal to Harlaxton then across fields to Denton Reservoir where we had a cuppa. After which, we walked to Denton and picked up the disused ironstone railway line back to Woolsthorpe.
Todays route
It certainly was a fresh start to the day – there was ice on the canal!
Grantham Canal by the Dirty Duck pub
There is something nice about a crisp winters morning. It was good because there was very little wind and we were keen to do a brisk walk along the towpath to get warm.
We met joggers, dog-walkers and cyclists along the way – all enjoying the sunshine. When we reached the reservoir it was quiet and looked magnificent in the sun.
Denton ReservoirDenton Reservoir
Refreshed after a coffee stop at the reservoir we made our way to the old railway line. Somebody has put a coating of what looks like asphalt granules on the path which was a proper mess.
The old ironstone railway lineOld bridge supports for the railway line.
There were a few muddy sections along the walk today but because they were frozen it wasn’t such an issue.
We were up early, drove to the property and parked in the village of Dunham Massey. Access to the property was over wooden steps into the park – the main car park does not open till 09:00. An early visit is a good idea to avoid the crowds, so arriving at 08:00 ticked that particular box.
It was a crisp, frosty morning.
Dunham Massey HallAll to ourselves
The park was quiet and we appreciated having it mainly to ourselves for a while. Soon, the jogging fraternity and dog-walkers started to arrive.
A quirky little building in the park
Usually there are deer roaming around but this morning they must have been having a lie-in 😊.
Grass tussocksjoggers
We were on a time constraint this morning but managed to walk 4.5 miles. The sun was rising as we were close to finishing.
Todays walk was a 10 mile walk along the Bridgewater canal from the Cheshire town of Lymm to Stockton Heath, near Warrington and back again.
Although the morning started with freezing mist the sun soon burnt the mist off and it turned into a blue- sky day.
Angela with one of the larger boats moored at LymmThe path lies ahead
Myself and Angela set off along the towpath taking in the views and watching the wildlife along the way. We passed a few Anglers and quite a few dogs walking their humans. Everyone was enjoying the sunny day!
The path close to Lymm was good but as we progressed the path became very muddy which was not what we had hoped for.
Good section of pathA muddy towpath
We passed under the M6 motorway.
M6 Motorway bridge
There were some lovely houses adjacent to the canal along the way – quite a few had balconies so that their owners could sit outside sipping a chilled white wine watching the canal world pass by – although that is in the summer when the weather is warmer!
Passing under one bridge I noticed a really cool piece of graffiti – possibly not to everyone’s taste?
I liked this piece of Graffiti
We passed a weird looking boat – not a type I had seen before.
The strange boat
There were plenty of pleasure cruising boats moored up along the walk.
We stopped at a handy bench for a butty and cuppa and so, feeling refreshed ,resumed our walk.
Getting back into Lymm the weather was still holding.
Arriving back into Lymm
Lymm has a very old monument which was restored in 1897 by public donations in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria – the stone is gradually washing away.
It was a delight to do this walk today – the sunshine certainly lifts your spirit – and we look forward to the next one.
Today myself and Angela had a walk at Skipwith Common – a national nature reserve in North Yorkshire. It is an ancient landscape with 270 hectares of open heath, ponds and woodlands.
Nice path through the woodslowland heath
There are numerous paths through and around the common. Today there was plenty of water from the recent rain in evidence.
The heathland was formed at Skipwith about 3,500 years ago when settlers tamed the ancient woodland with fire. Their descendants grazed sheep and cattle preventing trees invading open areas thereby allowing heathland plants to thrive. Peat digging created many of the ponds on the common.
One of the many ponds
During World War 2 in,1942, the Common and some of adjoining Ricall Common was the site of RAF Ricall – a base for training aircrew to learn how to fly four engine Hadley Page Halifax bombers. There were 32 aircraft and almost a thousand men stationed there until the war ended in 1945 when the base was decommissioned. It remained as a storage facility until 1960 when the final off-Common parts were sold.
A memorial (based on a propeller) was raised in 2010 dedicated to members of RAF Ricall who lost their lives in accidents.
War memorialOne of the many bunded areas where former RAF buildings resided
We walked along some nice wooden walkways that led to wildlife viewing points.
We only had time for a brief but enjoyable visit.
Walking back to the carparkSilver Birch trees
All being well, myself and Angela should walk a new section of the Bridgewater canal over the weekend. I am looking forward to that.
Today myself, Angela and Mick took a 10 mile walk along the Grantham canal from Hickling basin to Cropwell Bishop and back.
The route
It was a sunny morning with very little wind as we set off along the towpath from Hickling basin towards Kinoulton.
On the way to Kinoulton
The towpath was in very good condition given all the rain we have had recently.
Arriving into Kinoulton
As we have come to expect along the canal we saw some swans. At one point two swans took off into the sky, with speed, and you could see just how powerful their wings are.
Leaving Kinoulton the sun was still shining and we were enjoying the views 😊😊.
The canal stretches ahead
Soon, the canal was noticeably more weedy and we reached a point when there were trees growing in it. For those who are not aware, the canal has not been used for many years and is currently being restored by the Grantham Canal Society – it is a very long term project but steady progress is being made.
Greenery in the canalA nice caravan on the opposite bank
When we reached Cropwell Bishop (our halfway point) we found a handy bench and had a cuppa and a butty. Refreshed we then began our return leg. A tree had been blown over across the canal recently – no surprises given the winds recently.
Tree blown over
It was a peaceful walk – we had hardly met more than half a dozen people.
Heading back to Hickling
Arriving back at Hickling basin we were surprised that the very popular café (The Old Wharf Tea rooms) situated by the basin was closed. Turns out it is closed until the 5th of February.
Yesterday we had a lot of rain from Storm Henk resulting in flooding because the rain falling on already saturated ground.
This morning myself and Angela made our way to Belton House to do a walk in the park. The gardens had been closed because of flooding we were informed on entry.
Belton HouseBelton House
Belton House is a National Trust property on the outskirts of Grantham.
The first mile in the park was through very boggy ground and surface water – it was raining.
As we reached higher ground we saw that a couple of trees had been blown over and the ground was less boggy.
We stopped for a cuppa taking in the nice view.
Time for a cuppa
Our route took us past Belton Woods Golf Course where we helped retrieve a wayward golf ball for a golfer. We crossed over a stream which was carrying much more water than normal.
As we walked along our route we wondered what the river Witham, which passes through the park, would be like. We found that it had burst its banks and was flooding the surrounding land (no surprise there!).
Angela inspecting the floodingRiver Witham in floodRiver Witham in floodRiver Witham in flood.
We soon found ourselves wading through more boggy ground to reach Belton House – the finish of our 4 mile circular walk.
It had been an interesting walk taking in the flooding and wondering when the wet weather will cease. Apparently, colder drier weather is forecast for next week so that’s something to look forward to.
This morning myself and Angela parked at Navigation Road tram stop and caught tram’s to Salford Quays, with the aim of walking back out of Manchester along the Bridgewater canal to Timperley – an 11 mile walk. We changed trams at Cornbrook interchange.
Tram arriving at Navigation RoadTram arriving at Cornbrook
Yesterday we had been walking in Tatton park and had got drenched 😒so we had to dry our boots and trousers overnight. The rain we encountered yesterday was biblical and combined with the strong winds made for a very unpleasant walk. We were hoping that we would get less rain today.
The tram to Cornbrook was very full but the tram to Salford Quays was a better ride with less people on board.
Our first view of Salford Quays
Salford Quays is an impressive waterside location hosting Media City, The Lowry theatre, The Imperial war Museum and many other venues for food/drink/hotels and a substantial number of apartments. It was quite bleak when we arrived with a cold wind blowing.
Apartments at Salford QuaysThe Lowry TheatreThe Lowry TheatreThe Imperial War MuseumAngela looking chilly at Salford Quays.
We could see Old Trafford – the Manchester United Football Club stadium across the water – we would be walking past that later.
Old Trafford
Leaving Salford Quays we walked through streets, passing a quirky Amazon delivery vehicle, to pick up the towpath of the Bridgewater canal.
We had never seen one of these delivery carts before – double yellow lines don’t apply??Passing one of the old Quays on the way to the canalWhere we joined the canal
We were to find that the canal is a pretty straight run most of the way and that it is well used by runners and cyclists as well as by walkers.
The Tram line follows the route of the canal quite closely.
Tram and canal side by side
We continued along the Towpath and crossed over The Throstle Nest bridge to the other side of the canal. A boat passed under the bridge.
We were now approaching the impressive Old Trafford Stadium.
Old Trafford
A little further on we took the left hand branch of the canal.
We took the left branch here crossing over the footbridgeHeading up over the footbridge.
Shortly we reached Stretford Marina which housed quite a few boats.
We passed over the river Mersey.
Passing over The Mersey
And then under the M60 motorway.
M60 crossing the canal
We were now heading towards Sale.
At this stage we started to encounter light rain showers. We were both delighted when we came across a café serving from a boat by Walton Park. We stopped for a nice latte 😊.
The rain started to get heavy so the last mile or so from our destination was not pleasant. We were both relieved to get to the car and out of the rain. It was an enjoyable walk and didn’t feel like 11 miles. Our walking gear will be drying out again overnight!!
My Walking Journeys 