Spring Camp Wing Hall April 2024

Although the unusually chilly April weather was set to continue, with largely dry conditions and light winds the Early Spring Camp took place on Thursday and Friday at Wing Hall in Rutland. It was left to seasoned ‘under canvas’ stalwarts Rob Cook and Tim Newbery to take up the option.

 

Day 1. Thursday 25th April 2024

Leaving Louth behind with rain and showers it was heartening to arrive in Rutland in fine conditions and a chance to pitch tents in the dry. We noticed just one other tent in the campsite at Wing Hall.

 

Wing comes from "vengi", an old Norse or Viking word meaning field. The name refers to the village's location on a plateau between two river valleys and Wing Hall is indeed perched up at a little over 400 ft on a brow of a hill overlooking the River Chater. Great views all around but a bit of a devil to climb up to after a day’s bike ride.

 

With Tim well below par having picked up a virus, no bike ride today but instead a trip by motorised transport to check out another campsite at Cuckoo Farm, situated right by the River Chater near Ketton. A quiet, scenic location with good facilities, it may be an option when some club members hope to cycle over later in August.

 

A meal at Stamford and then back to the campsite for the evening with the sunshine now breaking through the cloud. It was all looking rather fine and Rob deftly set up the campfire which provided some welcome warmth.

 

Sitting in these rural surroundings we could hear Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Song Thrush, Green Woodpecker and there were fine views of a Barn Owl. Time soon for all to bed down for the night.

 

Day 2. Friday 26th April 2024

Waking up early, the grass and tents had been enveloped in a glistening frost, temperatures having fallen close to freezing under clear skies. Rob once again soon had the camp fire blazing and a breakfast of porridge and bacon and egg was enjoyed. We were informed that although Lincolnshire was less cold, rain and showers were providing a wet morning.

 

A bike ride on the menu today, shorter than some we’ve done in the past but enjoyable never the less. Initially a route to the attractive village of Preston with its honey coloured iron stone cottages and within a few miles up and down an undulating trail to Uppingham for coffee. Today was market day and we were lucky to get a table in Dom Paddy’s Café.

 

Following coffee and cake, a choice to either head south to the famed Welland Viaduct at Harringworth or north to Oakham which Tim hadn’t tried in a while. The latter proved a good choice as we were soon pedalling along attractive lanes to Ridlington, watching a number of birds of prey fly overhead to include Red Kite. Rob would later speak to a member of staff at the campsite who lived nearby St Martin and St Andrew in Ridlington. No visit of the church today but instead a rest a little further on at Brooke, having once again descended and climbed out of the Chater valley.

 

With the sun still shining lifting temperatures to nearly 10 Degrees Celsius, Rob found a bench in Oakham by a newly erected statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her Corgi’s. Proving amazingly popular with a constant stream of passers by taking images on their mobile phones, the statue was unveiled only a few days ago on 21st April.

 

Our route back to Wing would take us down to the shores of Rutland Water at Egleton and a surprisingly rough cycle track towards Manton. No mishaps and soon the last climb up past Crown Well bridge to the campsite. Nearly 18 miles covered but with about 1360 ft of climbing, close to the same as a ride to Horncastle.

 

A short break but always nice to sample areas away from home. Something different.

Many thanks to Rob for the company and support with Tim not feeling at his best.

 

Tim's fly-through route HERE