Sykes Lane to Barnsdale and back

 Tuesday 2nd April 2025

A walk with Marta from Sykes Lane to Barnsdale and back. 6 miles approximately. 

We admired the bluebells.

We walked down through Stamford Community Orchard, where trees are in bloom just now.

Returned - and had lunch at Harbour Cafe - not brilliant -  white bread a bit sticky. Note to self - remember to specify!

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.

Drawing and a stroll at Rutland Water

 Tuesday 18th February

With Harry, Esther, Joseph and Hazel.

First a coffee at Whitwell’s Harbour cafe, where we all sat and drew for a while - the cafe was busy but not crowded.

Then we walked round to Sykes Lane, into the cold wind, and back with the wind behind us. Not far, but enough for an airing.

Aconites near Edith Weston village shop.

Wing, Manton and Rutland Garden Centre

 Monday 3rd February 2025. With Kate, Norma and Maureen.

Almost 5 miles.

This walk began from the maze in Wing, then we turned left through the village, past the church,

admiring the snowdrops and splendid aconites along the way. 

We followed the minor road towards Manton 

then turned right along the Rutland Water cycle route beside the road. More aconites to be admired.

The shared cycle/walking path was very quiet this morning - I think we saw one cyclist, though there was traffic noise from the road itself.

After about a mile we reached the new (2023, anyway) cafe - no longer Wellies, but The View. Bigger and more spacious now.

Coffee and cake or scones were consumed before we tackled the final mile and three quarters - this was mostly downhill, along the bridleway, which, as I had suspected was muddy,

though only for a short distance. It reminded me why we have been avoiding the fields this winter!

Across the railway line, and up the final incline into the village, pausing to watch the freight train (not to catch our breath!)

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:

A mini walk at Rutland Water.

 A rather chilly, damp day, with a wind. A very short stroll from Normanton Car Park down to the church, mainly to see hiw the snowdrops and aconites are progressing this year. Verdict, they are a bit slow!

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.