Walk 15/2009 – Donington on Bain, Viking Country?

Sunday 31st May 2009

On what felt like the hottest day of 2009 so far (24 degrees and plenty of very hot sun) 7 of us embarked on our walk in the Lincolnshire Wolds to include part of the ‘Viking Way’. Nettles knee high were in plentiful supply for the first section of our walking, and in fact we had to stop for most to don our trousers over shorts for protection from the stingers!

During the first section of our walking there were some interesting spots such as a derelict and isolated old graveyard and some most pretty scenes. There were lots of flourishing wildflowers in the hedgerows due to the winter moisture and hot sun; observed were plenty of buttercups, blue speedwell, elderflowers, and dandelions. Donington on Bain is a charming village offering a beautiful little square towered church.

We passed through much farmland on this walk, both arable and meadowland with livestock. In many places there were several cows shading from the heat and just standing in groups under large chestnut and oak trees The cows were handsome and a joy when viewed at distance. However, some of the cows could give us a menacing look when passing through their territory and on occasions a few missed breaths for us. For example, a herd of bullock chose to sprint across the field in which we were walking, but at the other side of the field to us! And a bull present in one of the fields was luckily distracted from our presence as he was protecting his young from our gaze.

We edged the reservoir for sometime before passing over the large stretch of green meadows under which there is a buried medieval village. We chose to lunch at the top of this beauty spot taking in the panoramic views and ornate church as well as observing horses, riders and the many families picnicking and playing frisbee.

A pint of beer and/or soft drinks to conclude our day were enjoyed in a nearby village pub garden. We felt that our 12 mile walk was really pretty for the first half whilst passing through picturesque villages and scenery typical of Wold countryside. The second half had a tendency to be of long straight dirt / farm tracks with some road walking, and was thus less enchanting.

Report – Cathy

Pictures – Alan

Walk rating – OKish

The sky is blue but the views were nothing special on this walk.

A lot of us had come in shorts and one of the first paths we came across was full of waist high stinging nettles.

The beautiful square towered church.

We came across this ornate little church – with weeds growing out of the spire.

We stop for a drink. Cathy practices her technique on a bottle whilst the others look on.

“Wendy” has carefully selected her outfit to match the roof of her house.