Churches, Monuments and Memorials

Day 5
Ashby de la Zouch to Thornton Reservoir
13 1/2 miles
Weather - Hot and sunny

So here we are on day 5 with two stages - Ashby to Sence Valley and Sence Valley to Thornton Reservoir.  The day began at the Loudoun Memorial (erected in memory of Lady Hastings and designed by Gilbert Scot) and I was soon heading out of Ashby in the early morning sun.

I followed the Gilwiskaw Brook through fields next to the A42 and eventually crossed the busy dual carriageway via a bridge. The first staging post today was Packington Village which has a fine church with tower.

The Gilwiskaw brook runs through the village and the bridge crossing it was financed by another member of the Hastings Family.  

I left Packington via a footpath adjacent to a bungalow where the owner was watering her plants.  She was very interested in the walk and knew which paths I should follow and, more importantly, she knew which field the cows were in! Local knowledge is so useful.  

My next destination was Normanton le Heath.  The church here was also very beautiful.  This time a church with a tower and spire and some very old gravestones and memorials.  It's worth a closer look but I'll that for another day as I had paths to follow and woodlands to enjoy.

Leaving Normanton I plunged into  the newest National Forest woodland called the Diamond Jubilee Wood.  There are ambitious plans to plant thousands of trees here and they have made a good start.  Amongst all the new plantings are some lovely mature trees to enjoy and admire.

Sence Valley Forest Park is an older woodland and hides the scars of its mining past very well.  This was a good spot for lunch in the welcome shade of a grove of trees.  I was joined by a grandad and his grandaughter who were having a day out together.  We happily munched our picnic lunches - the four year old granddaughter seemed a bit of a foodie as she tucked into salad with balsamic dressing. 

Now the next stage from Sence to Donington le Heath was an interesting section.  The path was very difficult to follow due to its disappearance under crops and also rampaging nettles, brambles and thistles hiding stiles and  way markers.  It was a relief to finally reach Donington le Heath and get back on track. 

 Ellistown, Battram and Bagworth all have new woodlands springing up around them and they are looking splendid.  I came across a couple of council workers who were painting way markers and clearing away the undergrowth.  They were doing a great job and I hope they reach the offending section soon and give it a spring clean.

The last section from Battram to Thornton was great.  Battram woodland had wide grass paths and Bagworth Woods had a beacon on the hill with fine views over the surrounding countryside.

I soon reached Thornton and enjoyed a walk by the reservoir.  Tea was purchased at the boat yard and I spent a pleasant hour enjoying the view and the cooling breeze.