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

 Monday 28th August, with Harry, 14 miles approx.

From Gretton we took the public footpath from Church Gap, crossing the field 

and making for the gate to the enclosed path to the railway line.

We crossed the railway and walked down over the next field where the path is clear - the crop has been harvested. At the bottom we turned right and followed the hedge to the footbridge through the hedge.

The bushes were resplendent with blackberries - and nightshade flowers.

We turned right after this and followed the way marked route with the river on our left.

Looking back towards Gretton

Another footbridge

 We crossed a couple of large fields, some with rolls of hay. 

Across the river a cow observed our progress.

We crossed the river at the large footbridge, just before the track goes under the disused railway .

Over a stile into the next field, and very soon turning right through a gateway to a path between hedges and fences which leads into Thorpe by Water itself.

We walked through to the B672, and turned right, walking for half a mile or so along the road, which wasn’t too busy, as far as the turn to Seaton.

The sunlit village was straight ahead.

We made for our favourite seat in the sun in the churchyard, perfectly timed for eleven o’clock coffee and a biscuit.

From the church we turned left, then left again at the main road, continuing until we reached the path up four steep steps and heading north before crossing a disused railway and heading north west towards Bisbrooke.

We resisted the temptation to help ourselves to a marrow, 

or to have another contemplative pause at the church.

We took the high level footpath into Uppingham, where we sat down for a few minutes among the flowers in tubs opposite the market place.

We left Uppingham along the Stockerston Road (B664). and shortly after the town sign took the Rutland Round footpath, over a stile through a hedge and across a field where the hay was being collected on to trucks. 

The path soon goes along an enclosed section between fences. Another field leads to views over Wardley Wood. We turn left after a stile and head towards Beaumont Chase Farm and back to the B664 road.

Another left turn and a short distance further on we took the bridle way on our right (Rutland Round again) past Stoke Dry Wood. We had to outpace a couple we’d passed earlier, so that we could bag our favourite lunch spot on this walk.

Rested and fed, we continued along the Rutland Round as far as Manor Farm above Stoke Dry.

We crossed the A6003 and took the path slightly to the right through the fields down hill towards Lyddington.

Lyddington church

On the other side of Lyddington we walked along Thorpe Road, and crossed the B627 to join the path back to Gretton completing the circle, and then returning home.

Cat on a cool thatched roof

The Welland

Gretton church peeping through

Slightly further than our recent walk near Lyndhurst , rougher terrain, but nowhere near as hot.

Walk to Ashurst and Lyndhurst circular

 Wednesday 23rd August

With Harry. 12 miles and some more. 

To Ashurst co-op, then along the Lyndhurst Road, turning left just before the station . 

Follow the path close to the railway line, until it joins a cycle track just after a bridge leading to Ashurst camp site and Ashurst Lodge.

The bridge is on the right, but our path goes through a gate into the woods.

Follow the track, keeping the railway on the right, and after about a mile, you reach a bridge. Turn right, crossing the bridge over the railway and then the infant Beaulieu River, and continue south west, across open heathland. Where tracks fork, take the right hand fork leading towards Matley Wood and the campsite, with its welcome shade.

At the road we take the track alongside for a while, heading slightly north of west towards Lyndhurst. Very little shade for a good mile and a half - noticeable in the hot weather.

In Lyndhurst we headed for the Greenwood Tree cafe for a late lunch - sandwiches with plenty of tea.

We made our way back following paths, through the edge of the golf course and into the woods to then north of Lyndhurst  towards Woodlands. 

North as far as the highest point at Redbridge Hill, and a bit further, then east.

Much easier to navigate with the OS map app showing our exact position!

Back at the main road, which we followed. Essential ice cream stop at the Co-op before the last mile or so home.

We decided we had earned a lazy next day. 

Bike ride from Totton to Beaulieu and Lyndhurst

 Tuesday 22nd August with Harry.

Another beautiful day, sunny not too hot, with a noticeable breeze in places.  After coffee we took the bikes out for a leisurely ride to Beaulieu and back via Lyndhurst . Mocha swirl ice cream at Beaulieu, and a dried up orange near the lake.

 

We returned via Beaulieu Road and Lyndhurst, where we stopped for sandwiches and a pot of tea at The Greenwood Tree.

Just over 20 miles in all.

Circular walk via Colbury church and Deerleap Inclosure to Ashurst

 Thursday 17th August

After lunch I decided to walk along Pound Lane and the path to Colbury Church.

Harry came along, and we decided to walk through Deerleap Inclosure to Ashurst.

Walking app was accidentally stopped there, so not all perfectly recorded!The feeling of walking back in time from new houses and major roads.

From the church we walked to our left along the road for half a mile or so, taking the first cycle track to the right, close to Deerleap Farm.  

A left turn along the main cycle route, through Churchplace Inclosure,

coming out eventually close to Ashurst Station.  

Water mint growing, and various fungi, and then we saw lizards on a fallen log.

Ponies close to Ashurst too.

Then along the road to the Co-op. Ice cream again, before the last mile home.