Manby Wednesday Wander

Wednesday Wander to Manby 20th July 2022

After a record breaking and blisteringly hot 40 degrees Celsius on the Tuesday, much cooler conditions had been promised for the Wednesday Wander but the heatwave may have put members off a mid-week ride. Turning up at the Magna Vitae Meridian Leisure Centre in Louth were Reg Bagshaw and Tim Newbery.

Tracey’s Tea Rooms in Swaby were closed today so a decision was made for a ride towards the coast to Skidbrooke with refreshments to be taken at Mimi’s Mission in Manby on return.

Departing Louth with the thermometer registering 23 degrees in fine sunny conditions, our route would take us along Marsh Lane to Howdales, following the Grayfleet drain. The harvest was once again in full swing, combine harvesters evidenced by characteristic plumes of dust, additionally disturbing clouds of flies and thrips. No sooner than Tim had given warnings, Reg was seen tasting the delicacies. I was assured, involuntarily.

After reaching Skidbrooke, the route turned to the south taking us through Saltfleetby All Saints (the former Prussian Queen PH to let once more) and it’s always fascinating to remark on the precarious lean of the tower of All Saint’s, a notable ‘Marshe's Church’.

With the Great Eau and marshes in the distance, the narrow rural ‘Back Lane’ would charmingly lead us to Three Bridges and Carlton Grange.

It was turning very warm at this stage, temperatures up to 27 degrees but with increasing amounts of cloud it remained very pleasant for cycling. On a future occasion we might take the option of the Willow Row Bank trackway to the fortified Manby Hall but today, Sturdy Hill would take us to Manby via the Carlton’s. ‘Hill’ might be an exaggeration as in this instance it’s only 5 metres above sea level.

The staff at Mimi’s Mission served splendid bacon and sausage baps, the sausages sourced from a local butcher. Well worth a return visit.

Our last leg now and Reg would lead Tim though South Cockerington. The lands of Cocrintone "farmstead by a stream called Cocker” were once held by the half-brother of William the Conqueror, Ilbert de Lacy. Reg pointed out the oil well in Stewton Newkin, interestingly there are natural spring water wells in the region too.

With an easterly breeze picking up, temperatures were now falling and we arrived back in Louth with the mercury registering just 22 degrees. We had however escaped the promised showers and thunderstorms.

25 miles covered. Thanks to Reg for the company.