Empingham to Whitwell Harbour, Rutland Water

 Monday 20th January. With Norma, Kate and Maureen. 4.75 miles.

Across the field from Nook Lane, and through the stretch of woodland.

We followed the path to the end of the dam and through Sykes Lane Car Park, past the Great Tower sculpture.

The weather was grey to begin with, but brightened up a fair bit as we walked.

We continued along the reservoir path towards Whitwell area.

A longish coffee and tea cake break at the Harbour Cafe.

We could just about see our shadows as we walked back.

We even saw a few snowdrops today.

Looking brighter…

Our route:

Empingham to Normanton car park and back

Monday 4th November

With Kate. A 6 mile there and back walk, with a coffee break at the Harbour Cafe.     

Everywhere was calm and mild, no wind, but grey.

2024/06/10 Empingham, Normanton, Rutland Water

 Monday 10th June

With Kate, Norma and Maureen. We decided as a group that we needed to wander slightly further afield than of late. It’s an old favourite walk, from Empingham via the path through the woods to the dam,

and then to cafe at Normanton car park.

We followed our usual route back, taking the road past Bracknell House and Oak Farm, then the footpath close to the wall near Whare Koa. 

Then it’s the quiet road past Normanton Cottages. 

At the road junction, we turned  right, continued slightly uphill until we reached two footpath signs on our left. We took the left hand path which goes downhill over a couple of fields, then crosses a road, and continues, eventually crossing the river Gwash and reaching the road to Mill farm.

A little further on the footpath leaves the road , crosses a footbridge, and  another field, and leads into Empingham.

There were couple of brief showers while we were out, one while in the cafe, otherwise windy but quite warm in the sun.

7.3 miles.

Empingham, Normanton, Rutland Water

 

Monday 30th January 2023

Seven and a half miles with Norma. 

Another bright and sunny morning. Quite windy, chill in places.  First I walked to Norma’s for 9am. Out to Empingham and did walk through the village, along Crocket Lane to the footpath.

Over the field and across the brook (River Gwash), then turn right, with Mill Farm on the hill to the left. We follow the footpath across the field to another bridge, and continue uphill to cross the A606. 

Straight on across a couple of fields. At the next, smaller road we turn lroght and follow the road downhill to the first junction.  A left turn takes us past Normanton cottages, with views to the dam and Rutland Water to our right. The road turns slightly and we follow it as far a right angled bend to the left. Here we take the footpath straight ahead along the field edges .

At the road we turn right , heading for Rutland Water and Normanton car park. 

There’s a display of snowdrops and aconites in the grass by the road.

There’s a short section alongside the main road, but the verge is fairly wide.

The Waterside café is open (10-3) and we indulge in coffee and toasted teacake.

We continue along the reservoir path to the end of the dam

then turn sharp right alongside the trees, down hill towards a stil and path leading into a small wood.

Then across two fields and back into Empingham.

 We called in at Wellies for a sandwich before returning home. 7.3 miles

Empingham to Normanton car park

 Wednesday 23rd February   with Harry, Esther, Hazel, Joseph. Just over 5 miles. Windy.

Empingham, Rutland Water, Normanton

With Norma, Maureen and Eddie. A whisker less than 8 miles. Monday 03 February.

Along the road section we saw a flock of long-tailed tits flitting along the hedge row.

Oct 02 Empingham - Normanton - Rutland Water

With Marta, almost 8 miles.