Rutland Water Challenge Round

Rutland Water Round

Hello again dear reader,

 I am trying to keep up the training, so decided to complete the Rutland Water challenge whilst at Karen's Dad for the Easter Weekend. This was down on paper as being 26 miles if you complete the circuit of the lake and the Hambleton Peninsula.

Karen was insistent this would only take me 7 hours maximum, which I couldn't work out. That would mean keeping an average 4 miles per hour (jogging pace) without any stops. I know this is all on the flat with solid ground, but that would be pushing it.

I was dropped off at a very late 09.30 in my estimation, and off I set with Rufus in tow. I have done this walk before, but not managed the Peninsula as well. It is bloody awful at the start. You have to walk alongside the A606 for about 1½ miles before you can get onto the lakeside path. There is still a lot of snow left from last week. I was surprised to see how much they got over here in the east. It seems to have drfited a lot.

When it wasn't snow cover across the path, it was very muddy, so Rufus was going to get coated!

Once down by the lake, it was very nice going

My very own Loch Ness Monster!

See the blizzard making its way over to me

I soon got caught in a nasty blizzard, but nothing like the Derbyshire walk last weekend. This walk is very featureless so not much to show that is different and of interest.

Just before I made it around to the Eastern edge dam you come to an interesting sculpture. Well, interesting in the sense that it is different from the other bland scenery. I must say, I prefer mountains to flat landscape.

Makes it more interesting if at an angle!

Now I walked along the dam edge. I noticed that my feet were getting sore, and I had only done 5 miles. This is becase a) I am wearing my Brasher boots whcih are lighter weight for distance walking and b) the ground underfoot is very hard. Either tarmac or compacted stones. Does not bode well for the entire route.

I managed to rush ahead of a gaggle of screaming kids on tricycles to make it look like I was all on my own!

Now I am around to the southern side of the lake heading for Normanton Church, whcih is at least something to look forward to. You really do get the impression this lake is a sea with vistas as far as the eye can see.

The land in middle distance is the peninsula I will be walking later.

Rufus was very obl;iging and posed for some shots as well!

Looking thoroughly miserable. Join the club!

Look at that tongue!

We soon came to Normanton church, perched out in the lake. This was in theory the quarter distance at 7 miles whcih was worrying as it had taken me 2½ hours to do whcih surprised me. It must have been negotiating the snow, but I am well under the 4 miles per hour rate Karen set me. By my reckoning another 19 miles will take me to about 7pm. When does it go dark at this time of year?

Normanton church is owned by National trust, but I couldn't go down due to a bloody wedding. Soppy buggers!

At least I could see we were heading for a wooded area of the walk whcih would offer me some variety in scenery!

Here it comes. Some variety!

Hmm, could have been more interesting! Where are the snow drops or blue bells!

Soon after this, we have to come away from the lake due to some fascist farmer who does not want tourists tramping over his land. We now have to walk along the A road to Manton for over a mile. Even more dreary misery. I took the earliest opportunity to break off this busy road and negotiated my way down a still snow laden path to get to the railway track and another A road before dropping down to Egleton.

As it happens, Egleton was a really pretty village. Even though I had done 13 miles by now, this was the point I decided to stop for 10 minutes to have my bacon butty. Note, this was my only stop the entire day. So in the end, I walked for 25 miles with only a 10 minutes stop. Thanks Karen!

From here, I took a small B road to the top of the peninsula and completed the circuit of the Lake, as stage one of the challenge.

Oh dear! Rufus needs a bath!

The end of stage 1 in sight.

As I reached the road into Hambleton, I saw the sign indicating the Hambleton Peninsula circuit is 7 miles. I had done 17 miles by now and my God, my feet were sore. I knew I had a blister forming on the sole of my left foot, but I had to crack on. This is a challenge after all.

I had planned to do an anti-clockwise circuit of the peninsula, but unfortunately, all paths off to the right were closed off. I therefore had to climb up to the village and dive off left to commence a clockwise circuit instead. This was probably a blessing as later, the sun came out and I was treated to beautiful sun reflective views to the west.

The views from the peninsula are much better than the lake edge.

View just before I got to the head of the peninsula. 5 miles to go!

Once I got to the head of the peninsula, it was effectively 3½ miles to go. I had done over 20 miles now, so was feeling very weary and my left foot was agony.

View of Normanton church from peninsula, passed all those hours ago.

It is lambing season. Ahhh!

Now I was treated to the sun coming out. gave me some lovely views to end what was a tough day's walking.

I soon came through a small woodded area and for the first time I truely felt like I was having a spring-time walk on a beautiful evening.

My last view of the peninsula before ending thew walk was the spectacular Hambleton Hall.

When I climbed the final hill, or should I say limped, I came upon a Grade II listed post office for sale. Karen and I had looked at this.  Wouldn't it be lovely to live somewhere like this in an idyllic setting?

Well, dream on!

I now limped over to the pub, but was not allowed in with dirty Rufus, so sat shovering in the garden for 20 minutes waiting for Karen, my chauffeur to arrive and whisk me off to a delightful and well earned meal at a fantastic pub in Exton. They were so friendly and accommodating. The waitress thought it was funny I ordered a soup "to warm myself up" and ended with a ice cream.

Well, I achieved the challenge and hope to do more over 20 mile treks as the weeks progress. We have the Lakes holiday in 2 weeks, and I plan to do the Yorkshire 3 peaks in May just in case I fail on the 6 Peak challenge and only can do the 3 National Peaks. At least you will know I have done all 6.

See you next time folks!