By Adam Dutton
A local man who is aiming to complete the famed ‘Leicestershire Round’ through a series of planned pub walks is asking for like-minded individuals to join him.
Andy Knight, 64, a lorry driver from Broughton Astley, has planned every aspect of each of the routes and expects to start the first stage on Sunday, February 16.
He said: “The Leicestershire Round is almost 100 miles. Each walk will include between five and seven miles of The Round. I think it will take me around 16-20 walks to complete, and hence the same number of pubs. As I work full time, it will probably take me at least six months to complete.”
Andy’s love for walking came after he had a major leg injury in 2012. After 18 months of operations and physiotherapy, he got back to fitness and wanted to stay fit.
He’s taken part in several long distance walks, including a 630 mile stretch, which he does in chunks every year.
He wants to encourage people to join him on his various stages of the ‘Round’, with him posting the routes of his walks onto his website in a bid to inspire other walkers.
He added: “Anyone who genuinely wants to get out and about is more than welcome to join me for any part of any walk that I do. I’m happy walking with company; the idea of meeting new like-minded people is very appealing.
“I was thinking of walking the round over a week with a B&B at the end of each day, but I thought that might work out expensive and it also meant backpacking some luggage. I came up with the idea of walking it in stages. I like to keep healthy and to eat well, so the long walk sets me up nicely to enjoy a well-earned pint and some pub grub.
“The pub walk is a great way to spend a day.”
Details of the walks can be found on both Andy’s website, www.dadgoeswalkabout.co.uk, and his Facebook page, Dad goes walk about.
