South Ormsby 12-12-2021

South Ormsby, Sunday 12th December 2021.

What a contrast over the weekend. 10 am Saturday the thermometer barely registering 2 degrees Celsius; 10 am Sunday a balmy 11 degrees. Just warm enough for Rob Cook to join the ride and indeed along with Rob were Tim Newbery, John Rickett, John Ambler and Chris Owen. Neil Parnham had sent his apologies and Alan Hockham was due to meet up with us at the Old School House Café.

Our ride today would take us past Hubbard’s Hill and then the climb up Flint Hill to the Bluestone heath Road. Not Chris’ favourite! but the reward of a pleasant, if undulating ride along the Bluestone Heath Road.

By now the cloud was rapidly breaking up and we were pleasantly surprised to see plenty of sunshine. Quite a treat. Great views too all the way through Rosin Hill and Belchford Hill to the classic viewpoint at Ferrals Plantation. From here an uninterrupted vista all the way to Tetford and the Lymn Valley. Also enjoying the day were a number of visitors flying model aircraft. Luckily the wind hadn’t yet picked up.

With a midday schedule at The Old School Café and Coffee Shop we continued our journey, this time all downhill! We arrived at a little after noon and were greeted by Alan and Rob who were already enjoying cups of coffee and slices of flapjack. John had ordered the Massingberd-Mundy Lincoln Red Beef slow-cooked Bap. A high rating was duly awarded. A pleasant chat ensued for about half an hour before reluctantly vacating our table.

The return leg took us past St Andrew’s Church in Calceby. Not much to see these days, the final service being held in 1692.

Alan would ride with the group until Aby, whilst Chris and Rob would make their own way home from Authorpe. That left Tim and ‘Team John’ to continue our amiable discussion back towards Louth. Tim finally arrived home at a little before 2.30 pm having covered 35 miles. A great ride in almost spring like conditions, the temperature registering a high of 13 degrees Celsius. It's forecast to be cold again next week.