Farmer Brown's 26-01-2025

Hot on the heels of Storm Éowyn, Storm Herminia which was named by the Spanish weather service Agencia Estatal de Meteorología was set to bring very strong winds and heavy rain across Lincolnshire during Sunday afternoon. Timings varied but it looked as if it would be best to be back home by 2 pm. An altered ride was therefore declared and instead of going to Huttoft Beach, we aimed to take refreshment at Farmer Brown’s Ice Cream Café at Huttoft. That should bring us home by 2 pm before the onset of the heavy rain and near gale force winds.

 

Meeting up at the Magna Vitae Leisure Centre in Louth were today’s Ride Leader Tim Newbery along with John Rickett, Ty Harness and Paul Linder who’d pedalled in from Alford. Steve Croton had indicated that he’d meet up with the group at Woodthorpe.

 

Departing at 10 am just as all the ice had melted (temperatures registering 3 Degrees Celsius), we’d continue into the blustery headwind through Stewton, Lebourne Furze and the Carltons. On our way to Woodthorpe we were greeted by about half a dozen cyclists travelling the other direction, clearly enjoying a wind propelled journey such was the strength of the sou’easter and judging by their beaming smiles.

 

Unexpectedly, we would also meet up with Alan Hockham close to Strubby airfield and it wasn’t long before we arrived at Woodthorpe to be greeted by Steve. 11 am and on schedule.

 

Having already covered a respectable mileage and with the prospect of deteriorating weather, Paul and Alan chose to take refreshment at Woody’s Bar and Restaurant to leave the remaining quadruplet to continue to Huttoft. We hoped both had an uneventful journey back to their respective homes.

 

Passing by the ruins of Hagnaby Abbey and Priory, founded around 1175 by Agnes, widow of Herbert de Orreby, we’d not on this occasion have time to stop and explore Lincolnshire’s only thatched church of Saint Peter at Markby. Another time perhaps as it’s been a while since the club's last visit.

 

Arriving at Farmer Brown’s at 11.45 am we were pleased that Ty had managed to secure a table to ourselves. Toast, bacon sandwiches and slices of Lincolnshire plum bread and Lincolnshire Poacher cheese were eagerly devoured.

 

Our return leg and finally the much-promised tailwind. It was, literally, a breeze to sail back to Saleby. At the junction of Rose Lane and Greenfield Lane, Steve would tale the A1104 to Alford whilst Tim, Ty and John continued to Devils Square where Lincolnshire County Council’s Cycle Route C4 would take us past Lincolnshire Nature Trust’s Swinn Wood and Belleau Bridge. A climb to Meagram Top, today’s highest altitude of 58 m AMSL with, as always, a fine view all the way across the middle and out marsh to the coast. Wind turbines where whizzing round at high speed.

 

Skies darkened and we finally encountered an increasingly steady rain arriving back into Louth at 13.45 pm. Great timing. Temperatures up to 5 Degrees so feeling pretty chilly along with winds gusting to 37 mph.

 

37 miles covered by the Louth contingent. Many thanks to all for the company. No Relive Video today. Tim forgot to turn on the recording!