March Trip to Rutland - Day 2

Friday March 23^rd 2012 -Off to reception first to exchange the Propane and with a few other walk related queries (all answered), so much so that they had to be reminded to charge me for the gas!

 As was another sunny day we set off from site to walk to Exton along the Viking Way. It's only 10 mins into Greetham and then off up the steps from the Main street onto the Way, walking south. The first thing we see is the local CL wih 5 units present having great views south and Shetland ponies in adjacent fields.

The track is clear with wide views and we soon pass chicken farm sheds with hundreds of free range chickens outside in a large area. The path takes us through a field with 'bull' warning .. but he's not there thank goodness and then, unusually, past a small private Cemetery. This area is part of the Exton Estate and all looks well maintained.

We're then in Exton, a delightful upmarket village, remembered from a previous visit to their village fete held on the Green and for the Market Cross. Viscount Camden lives in the Hall and not many houses here less than 500K I suspect! .

Through a bit of a misunderstanding, we took a 2 mile westerly detour, all on clear estate tracks through woods, to the Hambleton Bakery (which is actually roadside halfway between Exton and Cottesmore) but is well worth it. The bakery building itself is quite ugly but the bread and unusual cakes within are marvellous. Try the cheese and rocket muffins!

After replenishment in the garden at the Fox & Hounds in Exton we walked east, passing plump sheep and lambs, under myriad skylarks doing their thing, and occasional clumps of deep blue violets. Then on to Fort Henry, a folly in trees beside a lake and really attractive... took quite a few pics through old blasted trees!

The arable fields around were incredibly stoney with fragments of similar stone the local houses were built of. We pressed on along the feeder stream valley to Osprey Wood ..but no big birds to be seen. Whilst we sat we were able to hear owls, see pheasant and rabbits and the evidence of a very busy mole and, further on, badger setts. All this within about 400 yards of the A1 which could be heard continuously in the low background.

Up until now we had seen no other walkers in this paradise but suddenly this all changed as a family group of about 10 passed by and we then arrived at a new looking Golf Club complete with Driving Range, Academy and what we took to be Log Cabins for golfing afficionados. I have never seen so many golf buggies in one place before! The footpath took us across part of the golf course which looked pretty impressive to me (as a non golfer) but no balls came close by.

Finally, back along field edges to the east end of Greetham via the Bowling Green and passing two pubs facing each other across the road and then back to site via a footpath through the northside of the village. As was Friday afternoon, Site was filling up but pitch sizes left things not feeling cramped.

All in all, about 8 miles of easy and well signposted walking on good paths with wide views throughout and the added interest of Greetham, Exton, Hambledon Bakery, Fort Henry and the Golf club.. definitely a recommended dayout route for Rutland CC visitors who want to stretch their legs.