A lake and village walk

Good evening. The weather has not been very good today, dull, overcast and drizzly. Yesterday was much better. I had a drive out to the Isle of Axholme. Not really an island. It has seven lakes and is surrounded by the River Trent, River Ouse, River Don, and the Stainforth and Keadby Canal. I parked at Ealand, just off the A18. On the other side of the road is the entrance to 7 Lakes Country Park. It's a massive site with hundreds of static caravans, a restaurant, and club house. Take a look at their web site here. Seven Lakes Country Park is set in beautiful woodland, surrounded by quality fishing lakes and tranquil waterside path ways, we offer the perfect setting for truly enjoying a different way of life.

I followed the path alongside the lake, to Crowle. 

I stopped to have a chat with a couple who were walking their two little dogs. 

I picked up the road at the other end of the park, walked past the school which was busy with the buses coming out. The White Hart is the oldest inn, so it says on the wall. 

I stepped inside the greengrocers shop and had a chat with the lady serving in there. What a fabulous display of fresh produce. 

In the Market Square a family butchers shop can be found. 

And next door is the Market Hall. The library is housed here. I stepped inside to chat with the lady in charge. It was toasty warm in there. A pop up Post Office has a counter inside which is open twice a week. 

The lady in the veg shop recommended a look at the church. I've just checked the blog and see that I was last in Crowle in March 2012. Here is the link if you want to check that out. I tried the door but it was locked, then just as I was about to walk away it suddenly opened. A lady was working inside. She said I could come in and she put the lights on for me. She was getting the place set up for an afternoon tea event coming up. As you can see from the church clock it is just coming up to 4pm. 

I wanted to make a quick video before I went back to the car, so I started recording at the church, and walked back to the Market Place. 

As I came through the gate at the lake I thought I would take the path around the other side, around the edge of the caravans. I could see the Reception area over there, so I thought it would be easy to follow it round keeping the water on my left. 

Oh dear, it wasn't that easy. I thought there might be an outer perimeter path, but I couldn't find it, and ended up somewhere in the middle of the massive caravan park completely lost. There was nobody about to ask which way to go. Until I turned round and saw a set of headlights behind me. Oh, thank goodness. It was a security man doing his rounds, checking everything was ok. He said no one is allowed to walk around after a certain time. I said I am lost. He said, jump in and I will give you a lift to the entrance. That's a relief. Trying to find your way through hundreds of caravans is more difficult than finding the right path through a wood. 

Here is the video. It's not perfect because I try and avoid pointing the camera at people. The muffs have done a good job of keeping the wind noise down. 

My verdict of Crowle. I wasn't impressed the first time I went in 2012, but the bit I saw today I thought it was really nice. Only two empty shops. It has a community feel about it. The people I spoke to said everyone is friendly. I noticed it is free parking, no machines to grab your money. Worth getting off the M180 to break up your journey on the way to Grimsby or Cleethorpes. 

Now I must get something to eat. I still have some mushrooms left so it will be a stir fry with noodles, and anything else I have thrown in. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona