Date: 20th – 22nd January 1984
Participants: Graham Beevor, Peter Cox, Malcolm Duff, Howard Hillier-Daines, David Kennett, Phil Knowles, Malcolm Rush, John Schmitt and Geoff Wright.
This year we headed north to Uppingham, one of only two market towns in Rutland, the smallest county in England.
Technically though, at the time of the hike the county did not exist, having merged with Leicestershire in 1974. Of course this did not please the residents who continued to campaign for its return. It was not until 1997 that it was finally granted unitary status and once again formally recognised.
Notwithstanding this controversy, the hike is affectionately known as the Rutland hike, despite, amazingly most of it actually taking place in Leicestershire.
There were a few minor changes in personnel but once again nine were able to make the trip.
After parking the van we set off out of town along the B664 that wound it’s way slightly up hill. As it started to level off we turned left, off the road onto a footpath that led us to our destination for the fist night’s camp – Stoke Dry Wood.
The following morning it was very cold and Malcolm R once again lit an open fire. But this time it was much bigger than the one he had lit during the Dunwich hike. We all enjoyed the warmth it gave out.
Following breakfast there were the usual tasks of washing up and striking camp. These were quickly completed before checking the map to confirm the morning route.
Off through the wood we went, following the footpath down the slope towards Stockerston. Just before the road and the village we crossed Eye Brook and left Rutland. We continued on the footpath through the village and then south-west towards Blaston. The path joined the road just before the village but upon arrival in the village we were able to get back off the road. There was a short path that cut across land to the road leading to Hallaton, our lunchtime destination.
By now we were ready for something to eat and drink so having found the local pub we settled down for our lunchtime break.
Despite the freezing weather we could not delay ourselves forever. So we finished our drinks and ventured back outside. As we headed north we checked out the thickness of the ice covering the village pond.
After a short spell on the road we turned off to follow the old Market Harborough to East Norton railway track. Although the line had been closed since 1967 it was still easy to follow, first across farmland and then through a tunnel before reaching the A47.
It was here, just west of East Norton where the old station and sidings had been located. The old station cottages where however still there.
The last leg of our journey on Saturday was east along the main road. The pace picked up and after about a mile we crossed Eye Brook again and re-entered Rutland.
A few yards further we came to a pub – the address of which is Finchley Bridge. The landlord gave us permission to camp so we erected the tents on a nice grassy area behind the pub.
We had the standard meal of Vesta Curry and then returned to the pub.
It was very busy as there was a restaurant but the advantage was that because it had a table license we were able to continue drinking until after midnight. Geoff recalls that as we eventually left the pub someone remarked that ‘it was too cold for snow’.
We awoke to find the tent roofs weighed down with snow and the nice grassy area was nowhere to be seen.
Malcolm R recalls that without leaving his tent he was able to fill a billie with snow, boil it down and make some tea.
As a result of the snow and because we knew the lunchtime stop was only a mile or so away we were late in getting ready to go.
We were heading for Belton-in-Rutland and had a choice of routes. We could either take the shorter way by footpath or keep to the roads, which would take a little longer. Walking on the road was a mistake – as we traveled along the short stretch of the A47, before turning left, we were constantly being showered with slush as the traffic passed us.
It was better on the road into Belton as the snow was more compacted.
Despite taking the longer route we still arrived at the pub before opening time. Apart from having a snowball fight there was little more we could do other than stand around waiting for the doors to open.
During lunch we discussed the last leg of the hike – should we stick to the roads or try and do some of the hike across country.
The A47 experience of the morning helped us to reach a decision.
We headed south out of Belton back to the main road and crossed straight over heading for Allexton. Once again we crossed Eye Brook and once again crossed the county boundary. We followed a minor road south-east for just over a mile and then turned sharp left onto the footpath that was to lead north-east through Wardley Wood.
For the last time we crossed Eye Brook, putting us back in Rutland. At the edge of the wood there was a rickety stile that we had to cross. Graham recalls the moment:
“The stile was in poor condition and suffered a further collapse under the weight
of one of the heavier members of the party. For the following few hikes all dodgy
looking structures were given a Cox rating!”
When we left the woods the locals were tobogganing on the slopes to the north of the path.
Upon meeting the road we turned right and headed south-east through the slush back to Uppingham and the van.
Another enjoyable and memorable hike – especially because of the exploits on the Sunday.