We kept it local this month and walked from Asycoughfee up to the Applegreen petrol station on the A16 via Fen End Road - I never knew that this quite substantial hamlet existed in the back here. After a welcome cuppa – well the wind was pretty cold - we walked along the edge of the A16 towards Market Deeping until we reached the River Welland. Despite the amount of rain in the last few weeks the banks were surprisingly dry though not so the adjacent fields. Following the river back towards Spalding we were surprised to see so many large mussel shells on the bank – we surmised that herons or cormorants had been at work dragging the mussels from the riverbed. It was good to get out despite the wind. The day was bright: indeed, six of us are wearing sunglasses and that doesn’t often happen in January.

Steve Field our group leader is stepping down so we’re looking for one/two of our ramblers to organise a rota of walks with group members and then send out the information. Can you help with this? Steve will help any potential group leader/s to get up and running.