Hike report - 1995

Our mission this year was to walk the Leicestershire Round – no, not all 100 miles – just a small section in the north-west of the county.

There were however, only five hikers. John was back but both Brian and Malcolm D were absent.

As usual we arrived at our starting point on the Friday evening. On this occasion it was Queniborough, a small village roughly north-east of Leicester.

The Britannia Inn provided both our liquid refreshment for the evening and a garden in which we could camp.

We set off on the Saturday morning by following a footpath through Syston and then north under the railway bridge, before crossing the River Wreake at Lewin Bridge.

From there we followed the footpath along the riverbank to Ratcliffe on the Wreake – a very pleasant section of the hike. With lunchtime fast approaching we continued by path and road to Thrussington, where we had something to eat before having a drink in the Blue Lion PH.

After a fairly lengthy break we decided that it was time to set about doing what we had intended to do. So we left the pub and followed the footpath west from the village until it met the Leicestershire Round.

The pathway wove its way through the countryside and upon reaching Hoby turned south-east to cross the river, before leading into Frisby on the Wreake.

It was here that we had planned to spend the night.

We located the pub (The Bell) in the middle of the village and then looked for somewhere to camp.

Amazingly we were able to pitch the tents behind a telephone exchange situated directly opposite the pub. After our usual meal of curry and rice we adjourned to the pub, where we were later joined by Peter Cox, who had spent the afternoon in Nottingham watching his football team (Burnley) lose 3-0 to Notts County.

After the pub shut we crossed the road and, without realising it at the time, scrambled into our tents for what was to be the last ever night under canvas on a winter hike.

Malcolm was up first and made tea for everyone, again for the last time. Peter, who had stayed the night, was up next and proceeded to photograph the rest of the early morning activities.

Once the clearing up had been done and all the gear was back in the rucksacks, a final group photo was taken.

Peter bid us all farewell and returned home whilst the rest of us consulted the map as to the quickest way to get back on the Leicestershire Round.

In fact it was not really a problem.

We walked back to the edge of the village to where we had left the path the previous evening and turned south. The path led up the hill away from the town and the river towards the main road.

We crossed the road on the brow of the hill and saw an interesting stone structure, known as Stump Cross; next to the stile we were about to climb over.

The rest of the morning was not very inspiring – the terrain was fairly flat and there was not much to see.

With relief we arrived in Gaddesby, where we found the Cheney Arms and had lunch.

Fully refreshed we commenced the final leg of our journey. Leaving ‘The Round’ we headed west and followed the roads and paths back to Queniborough.