We left the hotel by way of
a convenient gate which popped us straight onto the shoreline and, after a
quick discussion, opted to complete the walk in a clockwise direction with
a view to having lunch in Oakham. (So much for planning the previous evening!)
Almost immediately we came upon the museum and spent a few minutes walking
round the structure. A drowned church is how one person described it, and
now the church is filled with concrete and houses the information of how the
Rutland Water project was carried out. The graves and artifacts were relocated.
It was closed, we walked on. Super walking along the south shore - loads of
wildlife. We were diverted around the nature reserve and had to roadwalk for
a short while, passing a spot where, following the murder of his parents,
someone had wrapped the bodies in an old carpet and buried them at the side
of the road.
This walk took place in March
2000. We booked a long weekend break in the Normanton Park Hotel which was
then part of the Old English group of hotels. I believe we paid around £75.00
per room with 20% reduction for membership of Old English. I have no idea
what the current prices are. The hotel was suitably positioned on the south
shore of the lake, with Oakham to the west and the thatched village of Empingham
to the east. We took dinner at the hotel on the Friday evening and planned
the Saturday walk over a couple of pints in the friendly bar.
On the peninsula the interest
returned and the scenery improved. Widgeon and corn bunting everywhere. After
a delicious lunch of tea and hot roasted lamb sandwiches at the Finches Arms,
we entered Oakham for a quick look before jumping on a bus. The bus idea was
mainly because we thought there was no path along this part of the lake which
meant that we would be walking along the A606. The ride took us as far as
the Butterfly Centre at Whitwell. The jolly driver kept chatting to Mirain
and calling her 'me darlin'. Nice chap! The final part of the walk was wonderful,
with the sun getting lower in the sky. We crossed the dam and entered to hotel
through our useful little gate. Into the bar, we reflected on the day with
a couple of drinks before scrubbing up,
ready for dinner at the White Horse at Empingham.
