Gretton, Thorpe by Water, Seaton, Bisbrooke, Uppingham, Stoke Dry wood, Lyddington

 Friday 26 February 2021, with Harry. around 14 miles. Glorious sunshine and spring flowers.

No excuses for not writing recently, although most walks have been shorter than this one.

Down the path by Gretton church, across the fields through the gate and the path leads to the railway crossing.

The field beyond is not quite so muddy as it has been recently, but we’re glad we chose to wear wellies. 

Along by the hedge and downhill to the gap in the hedge and the little bridge joining the farm track. A right turn takes us to the river Welland, close to the trees where we heard cuckoos male and female last year. Now we splash through a puddle - wellies bring out the inner child. We follow the river downstream,  round a field, through a stile-cum-bridge over a ditch, and round another field to the elegant wooden bridge near Thorpe by Water.

Under the disused railway line, through a field gate. We follow the hedge on our right and take the path between fences into the village - or technically, the hamlet...

We turn right along the road and follow it to the left turn towards Seaton. A much quieter road, with a view of the viaduct, and ahead looking up to Seaton church.

 The spring flowers are in bloom - mini daffodils, crocuses and a few celandines. I recently discovered that February 21st is officially Celandine Day, when the flower is supposed to start blooming. 

The golden brown stone of the church is warm and welcoming, sheltering a seat in full sun - coffee and ginger cake calls.

A short detour past the George and Dragon to admire the viaduct from a different angle,

before we turn back to the footpath to Bisbrooke ,

An elusive bird - heard but not seen

and Uppingham, and then along the road towards Stockerston -

Speedwell

we walk a mile or so, and see our first lambs this year.

We turn left along a bridleway, part of the Rutland Round.  Another mile or so along the side of Stoke Dry Wood and we emerge above Eyebrook Reservoir

 and a lunch spot we’ve used before. A broken down wall makes a decent seat, and a slightly bumpy table. The view is magnificent. 

We continue towards Stoke Dry, but when we reach the road we turn left towards the A6003. We cross this and walk downhill towards Lyddington along the quiet road. 

Just before the end of the village we take Thorpe Road, with its double dip hill, cross the road between Harringworth and Caldecott once more 

and rejoin the footpath back to Gretton. We finish the day with takeaway fish and chips from the Hatton Arms.

I couldn’t resist the elevation profile below:

Gretton -Welland Valley-Seaton - drop down up to Bisbrooke - Highest point Uppingham - down towards Stockerston and Eyebrook, small climb to A6003- drop down to Lyddington and climb back up to Gretton.