About 10 of us gathered in a damp grey car park, but generally were of the opinion that legs needed walking and we were going in spite of the cold.

We walked alongside the Leam briefly then joined the Grand Union Canal, whose major merit was the solid tow path, but there was plenty of industrial heritage to admire.

We then crossed the Leam again via a brand new bridge, still being finished off, and through to the peculiarly spelled Newbold Comyn. Some of this area was a golf course, now abandoned, but the fairways still shaped the landscape. From here we rose above Leamington and admired the scenery, which would have benefited from not being covered in mist and grey light.

Leamington is fortunate in having bands of green space near the Leam which we picked up to return, stopping in Jephson Gardens for a snack, More than one rambler was tempted by a hot coffee from the pretty, restored café there. It’s a good park for art works though it was surprising to see so many large memorials to individuals. If you are in Leamington, it’s definitely worth a visit, especially in the Spring when the beds we saw being prepared should be magnificent.

We then worked our way through the more built up area, past the shoppers in cars queuing past the Pump Rooms and into the Pump Room Park which brought us back to the start.

So, we didn’t get wet, good clothes kept us warm over the 7 miles, we had a good chat and to finish, we realised it shouldn’t be long to the better weather.

You can find the OS route here.