Sunday 31 March 2019

To Guthram Gowt and Beyond

Surfleet Seas End
Well after my chafing experience yesterday, cycling shorts (under walking trousers, you'll be pleased to know) were the order of the day, I felt pretty good, but Oscar looked a broken spirit when I woke him up. Gradually as the morning progressed he started to fire on all cylinders, and by the time we were ready to set off from The Ship Inn at Surfleet Seas End, he was back to his usual self.

Today we started to follow the River Glen, as we headed more in land away from the Wash and salt marshes. The countryside changed, passing more villages and towns, fertile agricultural land and the scenery along the river was more picturesque.

Friday 29 March 2019

One man, his dog and a bag full of balls.

The Dynamic Duo
Well I couldn't have asked for better weather as I started my 290 mile walk along the Macmillan Way. It's been a T shirt and suncream day - yep you read it right, 29th March and I had suncream on! I was loaded up with dog treats and for those of you who know Oscar, plenty of tennis balls, just in case!

Things didn't get off to a great start as I planned to climb the Boston Stump (bizarrely something I've always wanted to do) but it was closed for refurbishment and then as we set off, the first part of the Macmillan Way was closed, as they are rebuilding the sea defences. This was like a sign from God to pack in and find the nearest pub.

Thursday 28 March 2019

Baston - Thurlby - Obthorpe - Baston

Walk Description
Distance
7.9 miles
This is a variation on walk 7, its approx the same distance, but sends you back along the Macmillan way from Obthorpe, rather than walking to Wilsthorpe. Its as broad as it's long - so you decide. 
Time
2 hours 40m
Steps
n/a
Difficulty
Leisurely
Map Link
Local 7b

Thurlby Church
Starting at Baston Church with the Church on your left, walk towards Main Street. Cross over and turn left up Thurlby Avenue, when you reach the fields turn right and follow the path until you reach the track (North Meadow Road).

Turn left and follow the track all the way up to the stile, cross over, up the bank to the path at the side of the river. Turn left and follow the path all the way to Kates Bridge and the A15. At the A15 turn right along the side of the road for a short distance, past Cresslands, until you come to a sign for a permissive path off to your right, take this path.

Baston - Thurlby - Obthorpe - Wilsthorpe - Baston

Walk Description
Distance
7.9 miles
A nice circular walk mainly across fields, with some walking on minor roads. There is a small stretch walking alongside the A15. You have an option of a stop at the Horseshoe Pub in Thurlby, or the White Horse when you return to Baston.
Time
2 hours 45m
Steps
15,162
Difficulty
Leisurely
Map Link
Local 7


Approaching Thurlby Church

Starting at Baston Church with the Church on your left, walk towards Main Street. Cross over and turn left up Thurlby Avenue, when you reach the fields turn right and follow the path until you reach the track (North Meadow Road).


Turn left and follow the track all the way up to the stile, cross over, up the bank to the path at the side of the river. Turn left and follow the path all the way to Kates Bridge and the A15. At the A15 turn right along the side of the road for a short distance, past Cresslands, until you come to a sign for a permissive path off to your right, take this path.

Wednesday 27 March 2019

Baston - Obthorpe - Wilsthorpe - Baston

Walk Description
Distance
5.8 miles
A lovely walk that follows a section of the Macmillan Way From Baston to Wilsthorpe. The walk follows minor roads through Obsthorpe and Wilsthorpe, which reminded me a little bit of some of the quiet village roads in France with the fields on either side.
Time
2 hours
Steps
12,292
Difficulty
Leisurely 
Map Link
Local 6 


Kates Bridge
Starting from Baston Church, with the Church on your left, walk to Main Street, cross over the road and turn left up Thetford Avenue.

At the end of Thetford Avenue, go through the gate turn immediately right and follow the path around the field until you reach North Meadow Road (track). Turn left and follow the track all the way to the stile. Cross the stile walk up the bank and turn left.

Follow the path (Macmillan Way) until you reach Kates Bridge, go over the stile and cross the A15 to a footpath on the opposite side of the road.

Monday 18 March 2019

Baston - Greatford - Wilsthorpe - Baston

Walk Description
Distance
6.2 miles
A good circular walk mainly across fields but with some roads in Greatford and Wilsthorpe. You can stop off for a drink at the Hare & Hounds in Greatford or reward yourself for a job well done when you get back to the White Horse in Baston. (A variation of the walk is to walk to Braceborough from Greatford and walk through the farm to rejoin this walk at para 6 ) 
Time
2hr 15mins
Steps
13,708
Difficulty
Leisurely
Map Link
Local 5

(1) Farm Building 
Setting off from Church Street, with the Church on your left, walk a short distance, when the road bends to the left, take the footpath on your right. Follow this path, past the new houses and onto the fields towards Langtoft.

Continue in a straight line, through a gate, go past the corrugated farm building on your right and walk along a narrow path with a fence on your right and a hedge to your left. You then cross a field, at the end of this field, turn right, and follow the path until you come to a wooden gate on your right. Go through the gate, turn left and walk alongside the A15 for a few yards until you see a metal gate and a footpath sign on the opposite side of the road. Cross the A15 and take this path. 

Thursday 14 March 2019

Win 'very steep' Hill

Walk in the High Peak
Yorkshire Bridge - Win Hill - Twitchill Farm - Aston - Yorkshire Bridge.

The walk (with a couple of off route diversions) was approx 7.5 miles and took us 3hours 45 mins.

Map 

Some of you know that Meg my youngest daughter is continuing her travels, and this year amongst several wonderful planned trips, she is walking to Everest base camp. She has been training hard but there aren't many hills in the Lincolnshire fens, so she decided to rope muggins here into her training plans. What started off as 'dad do you fancy completing the 3 peaks challenge', was gradually negotiated back to completing a walk in the peak district. Job done I thought.

Sunday 10 March 2019

Baston to Langtoft

Walk Description
Distance
2.6 miles
A lovely walk across the fields to Langtoft. I call this walk the Church to Church walk. Lovely on a summer evening to walk to the Wagon & Horses, or just great for a dog walk at any time . 
Time
1 hour
Steps
5702
Difficulty
Leisurely
Map Link
Local 4 

From Baston Church head east and turn right down the path where Church Street bends to the left. Follow the path straight on past the new houses on the left. Once in the fields follow the path straight on past the corrugated shed on your right. At the end of the open field, turn right and follow the path around the edge of the field.

Follow the path around the allotments and keep going round the field until you come to the bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the path straight on, you will pass a playground on your left. Turn right up East End and walk to the end of the road, with the Church on your right and the Wagon & Horses on your left.

Baston to Wilsthorpe

Walk Description
Distance
1.8 miles
A nice easy circular walk to Wilsthorpe across fields
Time
40 mins
Steps
4,075
Difficulty
Leisurely
Map Link
Local 3

From Baston Church head west past the White Horse Pub, on to Main Street. Cross the A15 and carry straight on along Greatford Road. At King Street look for the wooden bridge, just to your right, cross the road and go over the bridge.

Follow the path straight on and at the end of the first field follow the yellow way marker sign to the right. Follow the path round the field, past the copse on your right until you come to another wooden bridge. Cross the bridge turn immediate left and follow the path through some trees until you reach Wilsthorpe Lane.

Baston to Hacks Drove

Walk Description
Distance
3.2 miles
This walk runs alongside the new lakes created following the recent quarrying. It doesn't take long for the wildlife to return, and it's a lovely walk with swans ducks and geese aplenty. 
Time
1hr 10mins
Steps
6680
Difficulty
Leisurely
Map Link
Local 2





Baston to the Macmillan Way

Walk Description
Distance
3 miles
A nice easy walk that takes you from Baston village to the river Glen, where you join the Macmillan Way. Once on this path you can also follows local walks 5&6 or just walk along the river.  
Time
1 hour
Steps
6,056
Difficulty
Leisurely
Map Link
Local 1

Starting from Baston Church, walk east to Main Street, cross over the road and go up Thetford Avenue on your left. At the end of Thetford Avenue, go through the gate turn immediately right and follow the path around the field until you reach North Meadow Road (track).

Turn left and walk up the track. You will do a slight 'shimmy' to the right where another track crosses, but just keep heading north until you reach the stile.

Go over the stile and up the bank to the river you are now on the Macmillan Way. If you turn left there is a nice walk that takes you to the A15, and if you turn right you are heading towards the Baston Nature Reserve.

Wednesday 6 March 2019

Kelham Island & 12 Hand Pumps at New Barrack Tavern

We live in a golden age for real ale and we are spoilt for choice with over 2000 microbreweries up and down the country. It is difficult, but I have to say not impossible, to find a pub without a real ale on offer, but the special pubs are the ones who have a good range of real ales including those from local breweries.

Kelham Island is a bit like Mecca for the Sheffield real ale drinker....... I guess that's a contradiction in terms, but you get the idea, its a must go to place for real ale and everyone should go at least once. There are so many good pubs in such a small area of Sheffield, and its an easy 'hop' to Hillsborough the home of Sheffield Wednesday. I always say to my wife that if ever she left me I'd buy a flat there ..... her response is usually along the lines of "don't let me hold you back!" Well if it wasn't for the thought of liver disease I might just consider it.

Wed v Utd and the Man v Food Challenge

Special Occasion at Hillsborough 
You can't beat going to Hillsborough for a big evening game, and the Steel City derby is always a special occasion. The 0-0 result suited everyone and no one, we could have both done with the win, but definitely no one wanted to lose.

Wednesday are now 6 points off the playoffs with 8 games unbeaten and looking solid at the back. Its still an outside chance we can get to the playoffs, but lets wait and see. A couple of interesting facts for you.