Huttoft Beach 15-02-2023

A Wednesday Wander to Huttoft Beach

Wednesday 15th February 2023:

Apologies had been sent from John Ambler and Steve Croton which left Tim Newbery, Paul Linder and John Rickett to assemble at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre for a Wednesday Wander on this half term holiday.

Departing in brilliant sunshine the temperature had already risen to 6 Degrees Celsius and the Meteorological Office had predicted highs of a very mild 13 degrees. There had been a choice of a 25 mile ride to Woodthorpe, a 35 mile ride to Farmer Brown’s or a 40 mile ride to the ‘Vista at the Boatshed' café, which we had never visited before. Everyone voted for the Huttoft Beach option and so we looked forward to a day out at the seaside.

As always, a pleasant ride along the narrow lanes through Stewton although we did meet one driver along Furze Lane who preferred a cyclist free day. Blue skies and enjoyable rural vistas however buoyed our spirits and we were soon bowling along to the Carltons.

On reaching Woodthorpe, we turned down the opportunity of hot drinks and instead continued through Beesby and Hagnaby with brief sightings of deserted medieval villages, ancient Priories and Abbeys. Hagnaby Abbey founded in 1175 was finally suppressed in 1536 with its last Abbot being Edmond Toft.

A tail wind assisted our travels along LCC’s Cycle Route C7, more commonly known as Sea Lane, and we would cross over ‘Roman Bank’ to arrive at ‘The Vista at the Boatshed’ exactly on schedule at 11.45 am. A splendid new café set in the heart of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park, which opened on 11th April 2022 by Colin Davie. Sadly, the Boatshed was soon vandalised and remained closed for most of the year. Today however it looked resplendent in the sunshine and we enjoyed good food and fine barista coffee. With temperatures up to 13 Degrees Celsius and with the sun beaming down with families playing in the fine golden sands, we might have been in the Canary Islands.

Huttoft was anciently spelled Holtoft although its name derives from Hōh (Old English) A heel; a sharply projecting piece of ground and Toft (Old English) The plot of ground in which a dwelling stands (hence tofts and crofts).

Our return route would take us back through Hannah before crossing over the main Alford Road at Saleby. Traversing the outmarshes, we made good progress joining LCC’s Cycle Route C4 at Devil’s Square. John and Paul were setting a good pace.

Following the ‘Top Road’ we enjoyed great views of the Great Eau Valley at Meagram Top before returning to the Leisure Centre at 14.15 pm. Today it would be Paul who kindly treated everyone to a final cup of coffee. Many thanks to all for their company. Tim would clock 41 miles, nearer to 50 for John and 70 for Paul.