Fulsle one

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Walked from Fulbeck to Sleaford. Mostly good, on well marked paths and quiet roads, but the path between South Heath Lane and Caythorpe Heath Lane is little used and the right of way line cannot always be followed exactly. Also note that the waymarked crossing of the A15 Sleaford bypass forces the paths on both sides of the road north a little way - it is not possible to cross the road at the Slea bridge.
Starting outside the Hare & Hounds in Fulbeck, we go a short distance down the main road then turn left onto South Heath Road and follow it out of the village. We follow a signed footpath right down a farm lane then left across a large arable field. There was no cut line where the path should head up the hill but there were wide cut strips around the edge so it was easiest just to walk up the far end of the field and double back to find the footpath marker. Similarly in the next field the point where the path turns right was not marked in any way so I opted for following the track around the edge. The gap in the hedge was there, but beyond it the clearest track goes round the north west corner of the small pool. Beyond the house I was approached by a barking dog, but it proved friendly.

We follow an old stone wall to the escarpment, which has wide views over the Witham plain, then descend diagonally across more fields and across to Caythorpe Heath Lane. Here we go right to find another signed footpath, which can be followed fairly easily but there was one point where the right of way line is the wrong side of a field. This path climbs through arable fields then crosses the site of an outdoor activity centre (climbing walls, canoeing lakes etc) where there were several parties of children around, but nobody questioned my right to walk through. Beyond there are horse pastures crossed on a series of stiles to reach Frieston Heath Lane.

The start of the lane through the farmyard at Elms Farm is not marked as a right of way, but the track is good beyond the yard and where the bridleway goes diagonally left there is a sign and a good cut strip. We then go south along more field edges and a short section of roughly surfaced road to reach the Viking Way with its distinctive waymarkers. This section of the way is easy and fairly straight, but the bank up to High Dike is a little steep (the Viking Way leaves us here and follows a path below the road north). We head south a short way and follow the signposted path left (the start through the verge of the road was overgrown but once in the field the path is fine). This eventually joins a farm lane which leads us right to Church Lane.

The road walk to North Rauceby has no pavement, but there are verges and the road is quiet (I counted 10 vehicles in the two mile walk). We follow the road to its end beyond the church and follow a busier road right which has a pavement. We pass the Bustard Inn in South Rauceby, which is the only facility en route and was open on a weekday early afternoon. We turn left here and follow the road round, turning left again along Pinfold Lane, then follow a track through a small wood (which is rather less straight than the maps show) and a well trodden path through the fields and eventually alongside the rather depleted looking river Slea.

Where we approach the A15 Sleaford bypass we are forced north to find a safer crossing point, and on the far side the path follows the road back to the Slea bridge. The path along the Slea is a little narrow in places and might be tricky in spate conditions. We follow it into the suburbs, turn right onto King Edward Street and left just before the railway onto a fenced surfaced path (there is no direct way into Station Road so we have to follow the track away from the railway then turn right to reach the station using the path from the station to the town centre).

Overall a good route, but come prepared and carry whatever food and drink you need.

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