Bluebell time at Rutland Water

 Monday 21st April

With Harry, Kate and Norma.  We parked at Whitwell, and strolled gently through Barnsdale Wood,

admiring the bluebells ..

…and red campion

and someone’s wild-ish garden

We walked as far as the bottom of the lane at Barnsdale, had a brief pause to admire the lake, then returned. 

The weather was grey, mainly drizzly, then a bit heavier, but still light rain.

We finished with coffee and tea cakes at the Harbour Bar, which was quite full - as expected on a damp Easter Monday.

Around 4 miles.

Gretton to Rockingham via Jurassic Way

 Thursday 17th April . With Marta.

A six mile walk on a fine sunny morning, with very little wind. The route was there and back from Gretton to Rockingham along the Jurassic Way footpath.

Our route out was across the field to the top of West Hill, and down the steep slope to the path alongside the railway.

Mind your head!

It’s a lovely route now that it is dry, but one huge field halfway along is always a drag, and at the moment it’s planted with rape, not my favourite crop to walk through.

Rockingham village was looking splendid in its late spring clothing, though spoiled a little by the heavy traffic on the main road.

The Barn Tearoom provided us with good coffee and a tea cake each to sustain us for the return leg.

We varied the route back, by heading along the bridleway, which takes us into Gretton more gradually than the path directly up West Hill.

Map incomplete - 

Polebrook, Armston, Barnwell

 Monday 7th April

A circular walk from Polebrook to Barnwell with Norma.  Fine sunny morning.  

The walk came from a local magazine https://stamfordandrutlandliving.co.uk/articles/walks/polebrook-barnwell/

Things were straightforward as far as Barnwell, with one deviation where we saw reindeer,

but we soon got back on track.

More thatched figures in Barnwell.  

We stopped at the Montague Arms for a leisurely coffee, then walked to the end of the village, by the brook.

We made our way back over rather a lot of flat fields, into the easterly wind a bit.

Came slightly unstuck at the wood near Polebrook - we must have missed the proper path, so did a woodland cross country course, cracking dead wood as we went.

The path was there at the other side.  Needs a short recce before we take anyone else!

On the way we saw a peacock or two and an orange tip.

We lunched at the Barn Garden Centre just outside Oundle - pleasant, good service etc. Had a vegan sandwich (I don’t often eat vegans, but…) - hummus and salad. 

6.3 miles in all.

First part of walk wasn’t recorded!

Gretton, River Welland

 Sunday 6th April

Today I took a walk on the path behind the church

and down by the river.  The walk is only just over 2 miles and really dry at the moment. 

Meanderings around Corby

 Thursday 3rd April

Walk after breakfast round the village

Beautiful morning, slightly cold wind. 

After lunch stroll round recreation ground to photograph snake-head fritillaries.

Afternoon we walked through/round Corby from Asda. Ice cream at the boating lake cafe.

We walked about 6 miles on this route. Lots of spring flowers again, and birds in the woods.

Gretton - West Hill - bridleway

 Thursday 2nd April

After lunch I walked down West Hill, where there were a few sheep with quite large lambs.

I followed Jurassic Way path until the railway bridge and returned via the  bridleway - almost 2 miles.

Saw some small butterflies (?tortoiseshell?) also two male orange tips and a brimstone.

Blackthorn blossoms, celandines, dandelions, and also forsythia, daffodils, magnolias.

Afternoon walk from Gretton to Kirby Hall and along the drive

 Four miles in late afternoon sunshine

Opening times reduced this year?