The temperature couldn’t have offered a greater contrast with the previous one last August, but against all predictions the weather held for Quorn’s latest parish walk on Sunday, January 18th – and the pub lunch was even taken outdoors!
Once again footpath warden Laurence Coe led about 50 keen walkers, all but a few of them human, on a jovial jaunt along our local public paths and country lanes. Starting at The Blacksmith’s Arms (or, more correctly, from inside those premises in most cases), we set off briskly under a bright sun, taking the ‘brook path’ past Mill Farm. This route beside Buddon Brook has suffered regular churnings by amphibious cattle in recent weeks and conditions underfoot were tricky.
At Rabbit Bridge – an appropriate name for a gaggle of gabbling ramblers – we were able to indulge in the common Sunday pastime of trainspotter-spotting. Thereafter Laurence surprised many by veering away from the more obvious cross-field route to Woodhouse Eaves and turned a sharp left along Brand Lane to pitch up in the yard of The Wheatsheaf, where, as you can see from the photos, outdoor heating was a welcome encouragement to break for lunch.
By the time the party had returned across the fields to Woodhouse and thence Buddon Lane, it had predictably split up into smaller groups, but all seemed to enjoy the fresh air and exercise and thanks are due to Laurence for once again dragging us away from the lazy temptations of the Sunday papers. Watch this space (and various noticeboards around the village) for details of the next parish walk in the summer.
