Gretton - Kirby Hall and back

5 miles or so - forgot to take the the machine that measures. Around ten of us - I wasn't leading and didn't count. Norma, Karen, Phil, Steph, Ian, Carol, me, Barry E, and a couple of others I may have missed out. Fine weather, still sunny, though clouds were coming in. It was very dry underfoot.





A walk arranged with the usual crew, a stroll not a march in April. We amble along the dusty track, through the gate, down the hill, over the four-stile obstacle and up the field, through the new gate that has replaced the decrepit stile and down to Kirby Hall where the gift shop is open early for Easter holiday visitors, convenient for a very early coffee stop. A peacock greets us, but refuses to display his many-eyed tail, even in the presence of a pale peahen.











We go up the hill to the road, and cross. Our path leads us to a building site. Yet more commercial development – for all the jobs that are coming this way some time in the future. Further on is the race-track, another ugly scar, which promised the earth – you can’t fight progress and money.

After a brief stop to eat bananas, we walk along past the new composting plant – the smell is not bad just now, but can be ferocious in the summer. The path is clear, apart from one field where the farmer hasn’t made it good – we know where it should be and head straight across, though, in a few weeks, we’ll be forced to walk round.

Two and a quarter hours, about five miles and we’re home and dry in time for another coffee.

a familiar walk but everything changesa constant complaint

too busy chattingwrapped up in ourselvesup there were skylarks





The route was like this one, most of the way, but in reverse, and without the mini-detour to Priors Hall wooden bridge.