Grainthorpe Festival of Arts 2023

Cycling UK Sunday Ride 27th August 2023

Bank Holiday Grainthorpe Festival of Arts

This would be the last Summer Sunday ride of the year but unseasonably, showers were predicted to set in by 2 or 3 pm, some turning heavy and thundery.

Great then to have Rob Cook, John Rickett, Chris Owen, Paul Linder and Alan Hockham join Tim Newbery on today’s adventure. Sarah Paris had indicated she’d join us at Little Carlton.

With a brisk breeze blowing in from the northwest but with plenty of sunshine we set off through Stewton and Legbourne Furze enjoying the quiet rural lanes. Already we were meeting up with a number of other cyclists enjoying the late Bank Holiday and would continue to do so throughout our journey. We’d also encounter a number of horse riders. Kindred spirits.

Sarah as promised was waiting at the war memorial at Little Carlton where we’d arrive exactly on schedule seconds away from 10 am.

Along Back Street we’d pass by fields filled with countless bales, some round some square. Evidence of a harvest almost complete.

Pretty marsh lanes would continue to aid our progress through Skidbrooke and Berry Green. Approaching North Somercotes, Tim halted the group to ascertain the keenness to head to the coast at Donna Nook or instead head more directly to Grainthorpe via Conisholme.

Not only did Conisholme win the vote but members indicated a desire to take early refreshment at Appleby’s Ice Cream Parlour (in spite of our scheduled refreshment stop at Grainthorpe being a mile further along). Never the less it’s never too early for an ice cream and Chris enjoying a large scoop whilst on this occasion, Rob sampled the bacon and sausage bap.

As advertised, were soon to stop again in Grainthorpe where Tim purchased a very tasty sausage roll from Michelle and Pete (of Lenton Catering) at the Village Hall. Tim would then head off to St Clements Church to view the Grainthorpe Festival of Arts. Jim Brennan had entered four watercolours titled ‘Me & Mum’ ‘Along the Lane’, ‘Chrysanthemum’ and ‘Clematis’. Good luck with the sales Jim, sorry we didn’t see you on this occasion.

With the weather still set fair, a northbound journey before a suggested final refreshment stop at the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway. Great idea from Alan and proved more popular that a suggested visit to Horse Shoe Point by Tim. Funny old thing.

Indeed, we were lucky with our timing as the train was at North Thoresby and we had the Steaming Kettle Buffet all to ourselves. The ‘Spitfire’ hauling a number of carriages full of happy passengers would in due course arrive just before our departure. The engine looked resplendent as ever.

Skies were darkening and approaching Louth, showers were quickly multiplying and encroaching. Just made it back to the Leisure Centre in time at 2.30 pm before the heavens opened and rain was bouncing off the road accompanied by strong gusty winds. Hoping John, Sarah and Paul arrived home without getting too wet.

70 km for the Louth contingent.