Gretton to Eyebrook by bike

Just over 12 miles on a fine  and sunny afternoon.  Via Lyddington, Stoke Dry, round the reservoir to Great Easton and back via Caldecott. 

Around 500 feet of ascent. 

Stoke Dry Pumpkins

Cows by Eyebrook Reservoir

By bike to Eyebrook Reservoir

Wednesday 14th September

 After lunch another bike ride - Lyddington.,( 3 pauses on the long hill up to the A6003!)  Stoke Dry, Great Easton, Caldecott, Gretton. 12.2 miles. 600 feet of ascent.  Paused at bottom of Station Road Hill, and got up it in one go.

At the bench near Eyebrook, someone had parked their car with boot open directly in front of it, and there were two young men looking at their phones - looking slightly sinister!

This looks a bit odd!

Just over 12 miles.

By bike to Eyebrook

 Saturday 09 October 2021 with Harry. 12 miles.

Gretton to Lyddington, up the hill to A 6003, then down to Stoke Dry and along the road round Eyebrook to Great Easton.

We returned via Caldecott and Mill Road, 

finishing

off with the Station Road hill into Gretton.

Gretton to Rockingham and back via Caldecott.

 Tuesday 05 October 2021. With Marta. 9 miles.

We took the path which crosses the railway line near Corby Tunnel, 

The valley was looking moody, but we had no more than a sprinkling of rain while we were out.

We stopped for a coffee at Rockingham tea-shop, then followed out usual route along the Jurassic Way   then to Caldecott and across the valley floor by the Welland, returning to Gretton by Mill Road and Station Road.

Gretton, Caldecott, Rockingham, circular

 Saturday 7 November , almost 10 miles.

Down to Middle Bridge on the road from Gretton to Lyddington, turn left and follow the footpath with the river on your left. 

Some of the walk involved a diversion to follow the river and also into Fairchild's wood. The direct walk is a little shorter.

Normally we walk along the road to Great Easton, to pick up the Jurassic Way footpath. This time I braved the A6003 - there is a fairly wide cycle lane and verge, and good visibility, but I wouldn't walk there with a group! Shoulda done it during serious early lockdown!

After less than half a mile, I took the bridleway to my right, which leads directly to the Jurassic Way.

 From there I followed the Jurassic Way to Rockingham, and then along the south side of the Welland valley, and up West Hill into Gretton.

20 miles - Gretton, Caldecott, Great Easton, Nevill Holt, Eyebrook, Stoke Dry, Lyddington, Thorpe by Water, Gretton

Tuesday 2nd June 2020, almost 9.30. With Harry. 20 miles. Weather light cloud, then very warm again.

Promises to be a hot one!

Ox eye daises

Lesser known (to us) Great Easton

Another black sheep family or two

Nevill Holt

Horses sheltering in the shade

Will the seat be free?

Possibly the call of a yellowhammer.

All fuelled up and raring to go

Harry's photograph of my usual line of trees

Only about 6 miles to go?

View of Lyddington from the footpath downhill

Getting closer

Crossing the Welland near Thorpe by Water

The call of a male cuckoo accompanied us all the way from the Welland to Church Gap in Gretton.

The route, showing a little confusion in Great Easton... next time we'll go the extra mile to somewhere different!

A circuit of the village to check on the tadpoles and the mileage was almost exactly 20 miles. A bowl of cold water for the feet, and a large cup of tea rounded off a splendid day out.

Circuit of 13.5 miles

With Harry.  13.5 miles.  Even hotter than we expected. 
We heard and saw a cuckoo in the Welland valley. In fact we heard both the male's well-known call, and the female's "bubbling chuckle", something I hadn't even known existed. You can hear it in the short video. 
We caught sight of a reed bunting flying over the water, and saw a couple of red kites backlit by the sun.

From Gretton, along the footpath which crosses the railway line, and the Welland, to Thorpe by Water.

Along Thorpe Road to Lyddington







Up the hill and over the A6003 to Stoke Dry and Eyebrook reservoir





A pause for a slice of ginger cake, then on to Great Easton, and a village shop!

Over the river again and on to Rockingham, where we had another pause in the churchyard.


Then back along the valley to Gretton.

Gretton, Caldecott, Gt Easton, Rockingham.

Monday 23 September. With Maureen, Norma, Marion and Eddie.  8.3 miles.

From Gretton to the weir on the Welland, then across the fields to Caldecott.

From Caldecott we followed the road to Great Easton, turning right just before the village. At his point Eddie rushed off, as he knows the way home quite well!  We followed the path across the river, at a more leisurely pace.

From the river we followed the footpath to Rockingham, crossing the road between Rockingham and Cottingham, and ending up at the (closed-on-a-Monday) tea shop, where we provided our own refreshments!

 We walked up Rockingham hill, through the village, where there were a few unusual ornaments, on roofs or in gardens.

 Then we turned leftt at the old forge, to take the Jurassic Way back to Gretton.