Gretton - Lyddington - Stoke Dry - Uppingham - Bisbrooke - Seaton - Thorpe by Water - Gretton

Sunday 21st March, 13.5 miles approx.

Beautiful sunny morning, but greyed by midday.

The trees no longer have their feet in the river

We walked from Gretton by road down to the Welland and on to Lyddington.  

Blackthorn

Lyddington

We turned left up the Stoke Dry road, taking the footpath to our right through 5 fields, up hill to the A47.  We crossed the road and at the bend took the footpath to our right , part of the Rutland Round.

First view of Eyebrook reservoir

Just before reaching  Stoke Dry Wood, we paused at our usual spot for coffee with a fine view over the reservoir. Along muddy bridleway to the Stockerston Road.  We turned left  and walked downhill a short distance before picking up the Rutland Round footpath to the right at Beaumont Chase Farm.

Who are you looking at?

Wardley Wood

It was easy to follow yellow posts and RR signs back round to Stockerston Road just outside Uppingham. It was much pleasanter than walking along the road, which had a fair number of Sunday drivers and motorcyclists. We continued through Uppingham, and out via the high level footpath to Bisbrooke, where we took a breather behind the church.

Du Cote de chez Swann ...

Then it was downhill and up again through the fields and across the disused railway line towards Seaton. 

We had a late lunch stop at the church, but the bench was not such a sheltered sun trap as last time we were here! No crocuses left, but mini-daffs still glorious.  With bellies full and caffeine levels topped up, we headed down Baines Lane, and the road down towards Thorpe by Water.

We had a very good view of viaduct with a freight train. 

We made our way through Thorpe village and across the valley and the river

and back to Gretton up the muddy field , over the railway line and across the field behind the church.

Marsh marigolds/ kingcups at the pond behind Gretton church

Approximately 13.5 miles.

Gretton to Bulwick and back

 Sunday 14th March, with Harry, around 11 miles.

Mother’s Day, chocs and card. 

Then, as the weather was looking good we decided to walk over to Bulwick, lots of birds, skylarks, the odd kite, tits in the trees, and lapwings on the way back.

The plants are welcoming spring as well.  We saw sticky buds, catkins, primroses, violets, celandine and coltsfoot, as well as lots of daffodils.

We waited to broach our coffee and cake until we reached Bulwick and found a bench behind the church,  slightly sheltered from the cold wind.  

We had a brief chat with the local church warden who told us how they were coping with unusual services and festivals. She was pleased that we noticed all the primroses among the gravestones.

We made our way back along the path beside the pub, through the fields where the cows are now out, and across the A43. Then its the path through the swamp - heading for the teapot monument above Deene House.

We took the road through the village and turned left towards Kirby Hall.

We had lunch at Kirby Hall, then walked back along the Fullen Lane track.

It was quite hard work with the wind and some muddy patches - it was definitely a good move to wear wellies again.  

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.