On a perfect Autumn morning, sunny and warm with clear air, we set out from the Bell at Gumley. Our route took us up to Laughton, a very attractive village, {photo 1}, with a notable amount of traditional mud walling near the church. We took the permissive path northwards out of Laughton towards Saddington Reservoir. The water level was still quite low and our Leicestershire mud has still to make its presence felt. The second photo is of us ascending Smeeton Hill with Saddington on the sky line. Stopping at the top, alongside the memorial seat to Mary Hodgkins, we enjoyed a 360 degree panorama of the county. After another drop and climb we returned to the Bell past Gumley church.