Rambling, Coventry area

The footpath is still there, the house is known as The Lodge. The path, very rough, goes from the Grove via Grants Farm across the canal bridge at the bottom of Coal Pit Fields and then into Bedworth. Along the "Path", real name Jacksons Lane, you will pass a number of travellers sites so beware of the dogs, hopefully they will be tied up. On the left you pass what was Courtaulds tip and is now an unfinished tip which has gone back to nature

I would love to come for the walk Philip but in my wheelchair I could only get certain places, even the canal gates I can't open with my key. So pleased you have bought the walks to the forums attention once again an asset which CCCouncil doesn't advertise enough I don't think. You can also go from Sutton Stop Greyhound Pub (Hawkesbury Junction) along the canal to Bedworth, brings you out by Coalpit Fields, that too passes a tip which Courtaulds was, well it did years ago, I was told by a local water gypsy lived here most of her childhood on the canal also still lives local that where they built the flats by Sutton Stop along the canal, Courtaulds use to tip there too. There is also a walk in Lentons Lane to Hawkesbury Junction not sure if this is the walk Les Mac talks about. Another lovely walk Philip would be the junction off the Tamworth Road, opposite the road that leads you on to Bennett's Road up to Corley, not sure of the name of the road, by Corley Rocks, It's a little lane which leads you down winding lanes to Allesley the views are gorgeous down there. Also Rabbit Lane, Bedworth, which leads to Astley Castle, if you continue it leads to a village called New Arley you then can cut back down to Wood End way bringing you out at the top end of the Tamworth Road before you get to Fillongley Village, can you tell with canals and these walks I've done daily, how many pairs off boots and shoes I went through when I was homeless walking all day.

Brandon Wood is a lovely place I use to go there as my ex-boy friend his nan owned Brandon Farm she passed it over to her son who lived in the bungalow while she lived in the massive house which was going to rack and ruin more like a mansion than a house, it was in like a horseshoe shape with wings such a shame going to ruin, their fields lead into the woods.

Great pictures of the wood, MR You should have hung on to him, Morgana, could have been worth a bit!

Lol Anne, nooooo he thought he could use and play games so I played better, by sticking itching powder in his big Yankee car haha I think you can guess, we on the CB nicknamed her Rum Truffles, a lot of papers left in car not mine either, you could make a film out of my life tragedy but I turn it to comedy even better than the film Kathy Come Home. One of the lads came to take me to show me what he was doing, so I stuck a note on his window screen Have You Ever Been Had. His nan was a lovely lady.

Hi all I decided to brave the cold & venture out on this mostly at least dry day. Well wrapped up, I travelled via Coventry railway station to Marston Green, then continued on to Solihull. My return journey was aboard the No82 direct bus service between Coventry & Solihull. As was the case today, I had no idea where I was going to go when I left home. I am so, blessed with a multitude of bus routes from around where I live, that on a cold day like today, I opt for boarding which ever bus arrives first, in what ever direction. Warm summer days are ok for out in the sticks bus changes, but I avoid that on a cold day like today. I had plenty of walking today, but I confined my walking to the town & village centres. I knew that my son & grandson were trainspotting out Bescot direction today, but we did not meet up like we sometimes do. That is how good our Coventry local public transport really is. We did lose a few of our out in the sticks services eighteen months ago, which were very poorly patronised, but I have to tell you that we still have a very good joined up system. Generally, I only ever use my car for getting about in the evenings when bus services do get very thin. Public transport is not everyones idea of getting out about, but it is very much mine.

Hi all, I saw this today. Walking-better-than-gym I so enjoyed a day out to Solihull with a friend from our forum on Tuesday. It was a bitterly cold day, but we were ok when we kept moving. We visited Solihull Parish church where we enjoyed a tour. It was warm in there. We broke our return journey, aboard the No82, so as to enjoy a fab lunch at the Bull in Meriden. The No82 is an hourly service from stand E in Pool Meadow, at ten minutes past each hour. It is a very busy service at most times.

Hi Philip, I totally agree with the walking better than the gym . You are in a different frame of mind, more relaxed, also you are not thinking about the length of time you have to do on the treadmill or whatever. I have been there and done that and found it BORING. Give me a nice walk and friendly chat any day. Well that is what my brain is telling me anyhow. Happy Rambling

Hi & thank you Dreamtime. Hi all My trip to Bescot today was changed to Water Orton, when I learned that a Hall class loco was running a Valentine special, from B'ham to Leicester. Whilst at Water Orton, I recorded this pic of the Parish Church. I enjoyed my trip today to Water Orton, which was made all the better for a 'ten out of ten chip' rated fish & chippy. It is a pity that the station building is in such a poor state of up-keep. Travelling by bus-pass, either the No.90 from Queensway in the centre of B'ham or for those feeling adventurous, a route via B'ham International & Coleshill is nice on a dry day. PS. Today's steam train

Although I didn't use my bus pass, I did travel to the wonderful Great Central Railway at Loughborough for an hour or so, then I diverted to the Midland Main Line where at Cossington I was able to photo the same train as Philip saw earlier

Hi all I enjoyed a lovely out & about this Saturday (23rd). Pam & I along with two friends enjoyed a trip aboard the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express'. The tour started from London, we joined at Nuneaton and travelled to Carnforth behind electric loco 86259 (E3137) "Les Ross". At Carnforth, A4 60009 "Union of South Africa"was attached & gave a spirited performance over Shap topping at 37.5mph, with its 500ton load. We arrived at Carlisle, where the loco was service & turned, ready for the seventy miles down to Settle. We returned to Nuneaton behind the 86 arriving at 8.28. The tour was brilliant from start to finish, well organised I am still fizzing from the thrill of it as I type this. The A4 best performance was two weeks ago, hauling the same train where Shap was topped at 47mph. Slight snow made the rails slippery yesterday. I hope that we can all see how convenient Coventry is for days out virtually anywhere. I will post a few pics for you all to enjoy, which I really hope that you do. I recorded this pic of Pam, who was recording me at the same time. We were awaiting the return of the A4 from servicing. Once a regular through Coventry, this is now almost a museum piece itself. Three electrics share various duties at Carlisle.

Hi Philip, your trip aboard the Cumbrian Mountain Express sounds fab. Look forward to seeing the pics later.

Hi Mayjan, The trip was thrilling. There was even a wedding party aboard in the Parlour car, who were all dressed in their finery.

Agree with the other posters how great this excursion sounds You mention the "seventy miles down to Settle" - but that includes a big climb to Ais Gill - how did 60009 cope with that?