Wing, Rutland Water, Edith Weston, Lyndon

Monday 25 February 2019, with Kate, Maureen, Norma and Eddie. About 8.5 miles.
Unseasonably warm weather, in spite of an early shimmer of frost. 

We set out from Wing, near the maze. We walked down to the road junction and opposite us, slightly to the right was a bridleway which we followed downhill and over the railway line, then uphill until we reached the main road. We crossed over and took the small road downhill towards Lyndon Visitor Centre, where a lot of scrub-clearing work was being done. The views from the road were beautiful.

At the bottom of the hill we turn right along the track round the reservoir. We follow this for two and a helf miles or so, through woodland and open paths, as far as Normanton car park. We were hoping the café would be open, but it wasn't.  Toilets are always welcome though!  We made use of the tables for a break in the sun and Maureen's scones.  We'd walked at a fairly brisk pace of around 3 miles per hour and felt we'd earned a few minutes rest.

From the car park we went out to the main road, and walked past the village shop. For future reference, it's not far away, and does serve coffee.
There were a couple of miles of road walking, but the main road has a good wide pavement, and after less than amile we turned right, along the road to Lyndon. This is a pretty quiet road, with space at the side. Almost another mile, and a right turn took us into the village of Lyndon.

Past a field with horses and chickens and on to another bench!

We turned left at the bench and after a short distance took a footpath to our right,behind some large houses, one with a haha. You can glimpse the church tucked away behind the hall. 
The path turned left, and gradually worked its way south west to join the bridleway we walked earlier. 

 After the railway line it's a longish drag uphill - it certainly feels that way after eight miles!

Looking back towards Lyndon

Today's lunch was at the Orchard café at Welland Vale Garden Centre.

The route.