Pitsford Reservoir - Nature Reserve Walk (Winter)

 

Frosty frozen Reservoir

It has been a long time since I had the idea to capture the Pitsford Nature Reserve during different seasons. The previous write up covered 'Autumn' and the link is below for anyone interested.

http://peterja-storytellersnight.blogspot.com/2021/11/pitsford-reservoir-nature-reserve-walk.html

A perfect day for walking (even with a dodgy knee). Beautiful bright sunshine and blue skies, but a sharp overnight frost  underfoot. I'm looking forward to walking the seven mile perimeter very much. I'm not expecting to see many other walkers as this is strictly for members only and it is midweek. The other side of Pitsford Reservoir is still a great walk but is open to the public and you tend to see less wildlife. 

This write up is going to be more about the photographs  rather than anything else.Background information about the Nature Reserve is covered off in the Autumn blog ( see above link). It is a chilly start but I soon get warmed up once moving. The first 'spot' of the day is a pair of 'Jays' amongst the Pines. Lots of other bird life too including, Redwings, Fieldfares, Buzzards, Red Kites, Wren, Goldcrest, Treecreeper and many Blue Tits and Great Tits.   

As well as a wealth of birds there was also a lot of animal activity. Absolutely loads of Squirrels scurrying around. The best spot of the day though would have to be the Stoat (Mustela erminea), (The Black tip on the tail gave it away). It was busy darting around the edge of the grass path. Never allowing me to get too close to it.

In total I also counted fourteen separate Muntjac Deers. The smallest species of Deer in the UK. Usually quite elusive and secretive, obviously feeling quite confident in these secluded parts.

The Market Harborough Round (2) Gumley, Kibworth Beauchamp & Foxton Locks

 

A first 'proper' walk of 2023. The second part of the Market Harborough Round starting near to the village of Gumley. The weather is shocking though... 

Just as we get parked up and set off the heavens start to open up. It is really windy too and the ground already saturated. There are already some early thoughts of cutting the walk short , and options available. 

We are walking in a clockwise direction with Gumley Woods behind us. Thankfully after about 15 minutes the rain starts to ease off but it is still mightily fresh in the wind. 

We soon find ourselves crossing over a very murky looking Grand Union Canal for the first time. We are heading in the direction of the impressively named Kibworth Beauchamp.

The Footpath signs around Leicestershire are very well marked. The Green with a yellow top are very easy to spot from a distance.The paths in general are very well maintained too.  

When you have two dodgy knees knees things don't get much more difficult than the double stile pictured left. The ground was a quagmire and uneven. The stile itself was rickety and wobbly. The rain had made the wood extremely slippy too. Just for a little extra jeopardy it was linked up either side to an electric fence. It was a struggle, but somehow it was negotiated safely and the journey towards Kibworth continued.    

Much of the parish remains the property of Merton College Oxford. This dates back to 1270 when College founder Walter De Merton bought a large part of the parish of Kibworth Harcourt from Saer de Harcourt, who had been forced to sell the estate after giving his support to the unsuccessful 'Second Barons' War'. A Civil War in England between the forces of a number of barons led by Simon De Montfort against the royalist forces of King Henry II. 

 

We cross 'Smeeton Lane' in Kibworth. 2000 years of history in an English village the information board tells us.The name Beauchamp is derived from the 'De Beauchamp' family who held the Manor as Chief Pantelers (Banner Carrier, Dresser, Butler) to the monarch on their Coronation Day. Walter performed the duty during the reign of Henry III. 

The Manor House is the oldest house in Kibworth, dating from the 16th Century. Built in an 'H' shape possibly as a compliment to King Henry VII, or his son Henry VIII. Our path takes us through the Golf Course. A picturesque parkland setting, beautiful on a nice day I should imagine? Today is not that day though and it looks like as though the course is empty. A meandering stream crosses eight holes, it looks a bit challenging to me. The Crazy Golf in Gran Canaria was bad enough.... I carded an 18 on the last hole, it was tricky though.

The footpath takes up a bit of an incline to the Moorings at Debdale Wharf. It's always enjoyable walking on the canal towpath. 

Foxton Locks

We arrive back at Foxton Locks, only this time on the other side of the water. No time to stop off for a drink as darkness isn't far away. We follow the path around the bend under the bridge. The next bridge takes us away  from the canal and over fields. We are greeted by a group of five dogs of varying shapes and sizes. They seem to be roaming free having escorted off another couple of walkers going the opposite way. Bored with them they decide they are coming with us...They follow all the way up to a very muddy farmyard where they seem to reside. Shaking the pack of hounds off we continue past the edge of Gumley Wood back to our starting point. Despite the conditions it has been a decent walk. A bit shorter than usual but not a bad thing all considered. Total walk length was 7.5 miles.