Wing Camp 2020
WING CAMP 11th-13th August 2020 (photos courtesy of Rob Cook, Jason Bartup and Tim Newbery)
The forecast of severe thunderstorms and 32-degree heat provided some concern but with the unpredictability of showers we hoped for the best.
John Ambler and Chris Owen had sent apologies which left Alan Hockham, Jason Bartup, Rob Whitworth, Tim Newbery and Rob Cook to assemble at the Wing Hall Campsite. Barry Jepson, an acquaintance of Rob Cook would also be joining us although opting to stay at the Kings Head adjacent to the campsite.
Some members had enjoyed short breaks here before, for some it would be the first time.
Tuesday 11th August
Arriving in different groups, it was good to finally meet up with Barry, who has kindly been reading and commenting on our Facebook posts over many months. As planned, a ride to Rutland Water for a circular tour of the reservoir, and for those not self-catering at the camp, supper had been arranged at the Normanton Hotel. Following the designated cycle route (Sustrans NCN 63) Alan was unfortunate to pick up several punctures, all of which were speedily repaired but with the heat continuing to build, we were glad of a rest and cold drinks at Whitwell, before settling into rather pleasant outside seating at the hotel. Tim and Rob Whitworth had been to sample an excellent meal a week earlier and so it was a shame that on this occasion there was a reduced level of quality. No hand cut chunky chips!
Never the less an enjoyable day and there was plenty of time to relax and chat back at the campsite, Rob Cook having settled in comfortably besides a welcoming fire. Even a boules match between Jason and Rob Whitworth and it was thanks to Rob for supplying hot drinks for everyone.
Wednesday 12th August
An exceptionally mild night and it was very unusual to wake up to bone dry grass and tents for once not dripping with dew. Special thanks to Jason for supplying bacon and to Rob Cook for bread rolls, a fine breakfast was enjoyed and we had the pleasure of Barry’s company too. Tim listened into the latest forecast of mainly sunny skies and highs of 32 degrees Celsius, albeit with the ongoing threat of thunderstorms.
It would be a selection of itineraries for the happy campers. Rob Cook would enjoy a ride to Harringworth affording fine views of the Welland Viaduct, followed by a meander around the lanes to historic Oakham and a well-earned afternoon rest at Wetherspoons. For Tim, Jason, Rob and Barry it was a ride circumnavigating Rutland Water via Empingham and Exton to be followed by morning refreshments in Oakham. Alan would join us having taken a more direct route. Refreshed, Barry would follow his own itinerary whilst Tim, Jason and Rob would head west, climbing into the increasingly undulating but striking Rutland and Leicestershire landscape to Owston following Sustrans NCN 63 once more. A detour to Sauvey Castle and Launde Abbey would have been a bonus but it would have resulted in far too much climbing on this very hot day. Another time. Pubs in Braunston wre all shut, so instead of heading straight back to the campsite it was time to make tracks to the Horse and Jockey in Manton for reviving cold drinks.
Rob Cook would follow the true camping spirit and cater for himself by the camp fire whilst other members would sample the cuisine at the Kings Head. Some of us had enjoyed fine meals over the years but a little disappointing on this occasion. Perhaps the demands of Covid-19, perhaps the popularity of the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme.
Thursday 13th August
After a somewhat cooler and more comfortable night, we awoke to cloudy and misty conditions, temperatures in the high teens. Thanks again to all for the hot drinks and bacon sandwiches and to ‘Chef’ Jason. Brilliant work.
A variety of itineraries today; a walk along Rutland Water adjacent to Edith Weston and a visit of the Giant Store for some, whilst Barry, Tim and Jason would follow John Rickett’s suggestion of a route to Harringworth in Northamptonshire to view the Welland Viaduct which Rob Cook had enjoyed the day before. Some of the hills were certainly a little challenging but the reward was the magnificent view of the 82 arched spans of the Viaduct. Built between 1876-1878 it is the longest masonry viaduct across a valley in the United Kingdom at an astonishing 1.2 km.
The tour of picturesque villages along the Welland Valley continued with many properties and churches being built of Rutland Ironstone and Northampton Sandstone. Of particular note are the rather fine buildings at Lyddington which also boasts Bede House, the medieval wing of a palace belonging to the Bishops of Lincoln.
Tim and Jason bade farewell to Barry at this point, hoping he had enjoyed or was at least able to put up with our company.
Many thanks to all for their patience and understanding. At least we had escaped the much-promised thunderstorms but we could have perhaps done without the ‘continental’ heat and humidity.