A few photos from misty Rutland today. We started and finished at The Bede House in Lyddington and had a welcome lunch stop at the Exeter Arms in Uppingham. At least the rain stayed away and we were able to appreciate the views across the Eye Brook valley and reservoir.

The sunshine brought out 24 walkers for today's walk from Aspley Guise, probably a record for a Friday walk?

Just over 13 miles in total through woodland and open countryside via Husborne Crawley to Cranfield for lunch, then through Hulcote to admire some magnificent highland cattle. The photos don't really capture the splendid autumn colours. Thank you to Charles for another excellent walk.

Nine of us braved the winds today to walk 17 miles from Bozeat. Having safely walked the log we made our way to Whiston for a coffee break in the historic church and then across the Nene to the Stags Head in Earls Barton for lunch. The afternoon route took us through the old gravel pit lakes to Grendon and back to Bozeat.
Thank you to Ian for a superb walk.

We enjoyed a beautiful walk led by Clive Haynes starting from Beachampton, passing through Whaddon and Nash and passing wonderful undulating countryside. Coffee stop in a churchyard between Whaddon and Nash before heading to Thornborough for lunch. Beautiful villages, great company, wonderful architecture and a very comfortable lunch stop. And the weather was so good to us! Thank you Clive and to one and all!!

Eight Battlers turned into Coasters on Thursday, taking the train to Hastings and walking along the English Coastal path and Royal Military canal to Rye. A lovely warm day, coast, sea, cliffs and paths.

For day 2 of the 1066 walk we took the train to Rye and walked back to Battle. Lovely countryside with rolling hills and wooded valleys dotted with windmills, oast houses and vineyards.
We stopped at Winchelsea church to see Spike Milligan’s grave. Apparently the diocese wouldn’t allow Spike’s epitaph “I told you I was ill” so they got round it by writing it in Gaelic.
There was some drama later at the less than salubrious hotel where some of us were staying when one of the guests (not a rambler) was dragged out in handcuffs by the police on a charge of attempted murder!
Finally, special thanks must go to Chris Bent for organising the excellent walks and to Michelle for providing superb cakes, much appreciated.

For our first day on the 1066 walk we took the train from Battle to Pevensey and walked the 18 miles back. Pevensey is where the Norman army is said to have landed in October 1066 so we were following their route to the battle.

The scenery is very varied, the Pevensey Levels were rather bleak in the drizzle first thing then the weather changed completely as we walked over the downs later in the day.

We began by walking through Priors Marston churchyard past the two enormous Cedar of Lebanon trees, supposedly named Trafalgar and Waterloo after the years in which they were planted, then cross country to Beacon Hill at Shuckborough.  We intended to stop on the hill for a break but the wind would have made pouring coffee difficult so we headed down for some shelter and then across the valley to Napton and down to the canal.  The Oxford canal is almost dry in places, just some unappealing mud and a trickle of water.  Our lunch break was at the Puddleduck Cafe where we took a few minutes to look at the vintage tractors.  The afternoon route took us through Priors Hardwick and past the giant chair on the way back to the cars.

Thank you Dennis (& Claire) for an excellent 10 mile walk today from Moreton Pinkney. A lovely route through superb countryside and great cafe stops in Culworth and Eydon.

We enjoyed a fantastic 15 mile walk through west northants led by Clive and starting from the Crown Inn pub in the village of Weston. You can tell it was a good walk by the amount of photos I took. I was the self-nominated photographer and I enjoyed capturing the moment of an exhilarating walk. Thank you Clive and one and all!