Braunston-in-Rutland, March 22nd 2015

Firstly, our good wishes to Chairman Rab who has just tested the resilience  of Spanish roads with his hip and elbow - the road came off best.  Get well soon.

Well, those of you stayed at home today missed a treat -  sunshine, blue skies, some of the best tracks in the East Midlands on Bernard's walk today - (exactly 12 miles long as advertised!).

 We started in Braunston ...

 ... near All Saints' Church ...

... famous for its piece of sculpted stone which stands in the churchyard (see inset) and known as the Braunston Goddess.  It was found in about 1920 when the church doorstep needed to be replaced. When the slab was lifted the carving was revealed on the underside. There has been considerable speculation as to its age and meaning, and its original position as part of the church building, or whether it may even predate the church. It is clearly not a gargoyle as it has no drainage channel.

The nine of us then followed the River Gwash which feeds into Rutland Water and which could be seen in the distance after we passed through Brooke and climbed up to the Macmillan Way.

We then reached Martinsthorpe, the only parish in Rutland to have a population of zero.  One uninhabited building remains on the ridge. Originally this was part of the outbuildings of Martinsthorpe Hall, a seat of the Earls of Nottingham.

These cameras can be too clever for their own good

 We crossed the valley of the River Chater which flows into the Welland near Stamford and westwards along a ridge with fine views of the Chater Valley before recrossing the river back to Braunston.

Where's Wally?