The Leicestershire Round Leg 3 - Thorpe Langton to Cranoe

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Monday, 11 August 2008.

I parked at Thorpe Langton and set off at 10:40. The weather was warm and sunny, with a few broken clouds.

I reached the top of the nearby hill and stopped for a drink at the triangulation point (147m) at 11:10.

In the fields west of Glooston, the map showed the path crossing the centre of the fields. The first was being ploughed by a tractor driver. I checked the map at least half a dozen times and was pretty sure that he would want me to walk round the edge of the field, rather than straight across. But I wasn't certain. The next field was even worse - it was full of almost-ripe wheat and there was just the slightest trace of someone else's previous trek through the crops. I asked myself again if I should stick to the footpath or walk the field's edge. I settled on the edge again.

I don't like the feeling of being a trespasser in the countryside. Perhaps with experience I'll get more confident but for now it feels like I don't belong here.

The Old Barn Inn at Glooston was a very nice surprise. I decided to take off my boots, which weren't filthy but dirty enough to spoil a plush carpet. The Abbot Ale was good - not in perfect condition, but not bad either. My intention was to lunch at The Bewick Arms in Hallaton but perhaps I should stop here? I took another third of a glass to make the decision. Lunch at Glooston!

I had a very tasty, and expensive at £5.50, mushroom, spinach and stilton sandwich. And another pint of Abbot Ale.

The LR path takes to the road from Glooston and I really enjoyed having tarmac beneath my feet again. Rather than feeling like an intruder, I now enjoyed a sense of superiority over the traffic.

A little along the walk at 13:55 I met two men who I had seen earlier. They showed me their guide book to the Leicestershire Round which, unsurprisingly, confirmed that the 'proper' way round is clockwise. Oh well, in that case I stand more chance of meeting people coming towards me. They told me that they've been out half a dozen times and really enjoyed it, though they don't intend to do the whole LR. We laughed about the proportion of pubs that remain shut on Monday lunchtimes and I passed on the good news that The Old Barn was open.

Progress on the road was good, the sun was shining and I descended into Cranoe and onto Welham before turning for Thorpe Langton again.I made it back at 14:40. I shall definitely do more on the roads.