Report by Paul Coates pictures by Colin and Sherlock

Thursday 8th October 2009

Ramblers Car Park, Lane, Nettleton, Nettleton Grange, Nettleton Beck, Old Mine Workings, Acre House, Viking Way, Radar Station, Top Buildings, Valley Path, Rothwell (Blacksmiths Arms), Valley Path, Rothwell Top Farm, High Street, Chalk Quarry, Old Mine Workings, Nettleton Beck, Nettleton Grange, Nettleton, Lane, Ramblers Car Park (12 miles).

Sunny & warm.

John, Paul, Chris, Paul 'Sherlock' Holmes, Col, Paul Craggs, Bob, Jack, Ray, Dudley.

John, Jack, Col.

Today was our second trip of the year across the Humber Bridge and into deepest Lincolnshire. We should have done this walk last time out but at Keith's request we put it back a fortnight so he could be here with us. Unfortunately he's still suffering with knee trouble so we just had to enjoy the day without him. Stu is also still absent being up to his eyes in paint and wallpaper, while Nathan is back at work as one of 3 tree fella's.

We met up on the northern approach road to the Humber Bridge at 7.30 and just 45 minutes later, after a quick (but safe) drive across the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds, we arrived at our destination at Nettleton. It's a place we've never visited before so we weren't quite sure where we'd get parked. However on driving through the village we spotted a sign pointing the way to the 'Ramblers Car Park'. Intrigued we followed the direction indicated and just along the lane we found said car park. We were actually out to do a walk, not a ramble, but we parked in it anyway surmising no one would come checking.

Out on the hills again

As we got ready for the off we noticed Jack was sporting a lovely black eye. Had Pam finally lost it and attacked him with the telly remote? It turns out not to be the case as Jack's shiner was self inflicted. Those of a squeamish disposition may wish to skip this next bit, but it turns out Jacks black eye was the result of a repetitive strain injury incurred by repeatedly straining. Without wishing to go into too much detail regarding Jack's digestive system it is the consensus of opinion among m'learned members of the FAC that Jack requires to supplement his diet with a little more roughage whilst an industrial strength straining bar needs to be affixed to the wall nearest his throne. Failing that we recommend dynamite!!

And so we were off with Paul out in front along with the map and off to a flying start. The reason soon became apparent after a chance remark by Ray alerted Paul to the fact that his rucksack was still propped up against John's car. Of course his claims that he knew it was there all the time and that he was only surveying the route first were laughingly disbelieved. Paul didn't even believe it himself.

Dobbin and his amazing technicolor dreamcoat

The first three miles or so of this walk into new territory (for us) was along the Viking Way, a long distance footpath that runs from the Humber Bridge to Rutland Water. Part way along the route we spotted a wasp's nest hanging in a tree. There was some debate as to whether it was a wasp's or a hornet's nest. We tried to persuade Craggsy to go and poke it with his stick and report back what had stung him but he selfishly declined. In fact we saw another such nest a few miles further on prompting the remark by Jack that he'd not seen one in over 30 years walking but then had seen two in one day (just like buses Jack!).

Look what I've brought !!

Our morning grub stop was taken alongside the track to Acre House. It was a lovely warm and sunny morning and as we sat back to enjoy our break we were all amazed as Bob produced a brand new shiny flask from within the depths of his rucksack. Over many years of walking Bob has steadfastly refused to bow down to convention and carry a flask preferring to beg, borrow or steal hot water from anyone else sensible enough to bring any.

He was rather perturbed though to discover that there were no instructions for its correct use so we collectively instructed him, step by step, on the dark arts of using a flask safely. By the time we'd finished it was nearly time for us to go.

As Keith was absent today it meant we were without the use of his SatNav. Fortunately Paul was sporting an attachment to his rucksack allowing us to plot our route down to the last centimetre as well as detecting incoming aircraft.

Although it had been a long first half we arrived at the Blacksmiths Arms in Rothwell a little before opening time. This was mainly due to our earlier than usual start. We lounged about on the seating outside the pub enjoying the glorious weather as we waited for the landlord to open up. However it wasn't long before we were ensconced within enjoying the ambience with money, jokes and banter being exchanged in equal measure.

It's always pleasing to see John counting out what's left of the beer & petrol kitty as this usually results in a bumper share out. Today though other factors came into play to ensure we'd all go home with extra money jangling in our pockets.

First of all Sherlock put an extra £20 in the kitty so we could celebrate his birthday of six days before in the manner appropriate. Then the landlord won £80 on his own bandit coinciding with a visit to the bar by Bob to purchase three shots of Glenmorangie whisky, which the landlord insisted on paying for! So it's happy birthday Sherlock and cheers to the landlord. And with John doing the sharing out we were all £5.50 better off. We like walking we do............us.

We came out of the pub and into the lovely autumn sunshine in a happy mood, even though there was five miles yet to do. It appeared that Paul would attempt the rest of the walk with his bluey's still on but hearing the sound of escaping air (in reality Sherlock going "sssssh! Don't tell him") he swiftly removed his blue footwear claiming he was still running them in.

Part of our afternoon route would take us on a path not marked as such on the Ordnance Survey map. The old fashioned technical term for such a diversion off the official recognised route was trespassing, but in these more enlightened times it's known as exercising our right to roam.

We''re having a larff!!

The track leads past a disused Chalk Quarry and was protected by locked gates warning us to keep out.......or else. However we nipped through a gap in the hedge (as others had clearly done before us) thus avoiding the locked gates and quickly made our way along the forbidden track.

We even stopped for our afternoon break alongside the abandoned quarry and despite signs warning of the dangers of loitering with intent, or even without a tent, no one fell in.

Jack spotted a Peregrine Falcon in the distance so he was happy. We were soon back on the Viking Way footpath and making our way back to Nettleton with nobody any the wiser (unless they are reading this).

There's always one!!

The weather was perfect and the countryside was great. We shall be making Lincolnshire a fairly regular destination in the future.

Now, where did I leave my rucksack...................!