South Ormsby 20-08-2023

Alan’s Ride to South Ormsby

Sunday 20th August 2023:

Alan had devised a devilishly hilly ride for today’s club outing but along lanes once familiar and it looked to be a perfect weather day with warm sunshine and just the chance of a shower.

With a few of the club members staying home to watch the Lionesses in the World Cup Final, it would leave Tim Newbery, John Rickett and Rob Cook to join up with todays Ride Leader Alan Hockham at the Leisure Centre in Louth.

Departing on schedule at 09.30 am, we’d transit through Little Cawthorpe before making for Haugham Pastures. Still takes a little getting used to the roadside trees having been recently felled.

Maidenwell Lane would now direct us to the attractive hamlet of Ruckland with St.Olave’s church tucked away in the greenery. Ruckland Lane was once a familiar route but with its long steady climb to Worlaby Dale, it’s recently fallen out of favour which is a shame as there are some great views by the former YHA at Woody’s Top.

At Tetford Hill with an altitude of nearly 150 m AMSL, we’d now run along the Bluestone Heath for a few miles and a well-earned downhill section to South Ormsby and the Sheep Dip Paddock. Caretaker Jo had opened up the Walker’s Cabin and there were plentiful supplies of complimentary tea and coffee. Members too had brought their own ‘pack-ups’ for a pleasant break taking refreshment on the wooden benches.

Onwards through the ’undulations’ past Brinkhill and its Roman Road which linked the salt workings at the fortified port of Skegness to Lincoln. Eventually we’d reach Harrington. Harrington Hall is noteworthy not only because of its Elizabethan splendour but also because of its connection with Alfred Tennyson. As a young man he became infatuated by Rosa, the daughter of the Baring family who owned the estate. His poem ‘Come into the Garden Maude’ is thought to reflect his affections with Rosa but sadly his love was never reciprocated and she never did ‘come into the garden’.

More hills now as we passed through Langton to Fordington. Sycamore Road is a short but sharp climb up to the Skegness Road.

We’d pass by small, quaint settlements of Skendleby Psalter and Claxby St. Andrew before reaching the more sinister sounding Deadmen’s Graves. Referencing Neolithic Long Barrows built around 2000 BCE, there used to be a number of such monuments associated with the ancient trackway of the Bluestone Heath Road.

Cycle Route C1 now directed us through Bonthorpe and Falesthorpe. Much to admire along these lanes with both wild and cultivated flowers bringing vibrant colour and interest to our journey.

Not long now to today’s lunch stop at the Manor House in Alford. Surprisingly quiet, we had the gardens to ourselves and enjoyed sandwiches, rolls and hot drinks. A perfect summer’s afternoon.

Tim had spotted ice cream on the menu but had been promised an unscheduled stop at Claythorpe Watermill to enjoy such indulgence. Special thanks to John for supplying the coffee. At Claythorpe we’d also meet up with a couple of cyclists who had ridden from Mablethorpe. Rob enjoyed a pleasant chat with our likeminded travellers.

Our last leg proved uneventful passing by Castle Carlton. The remains of the motte and bailey dating to the 11th or 12th Century are now largely hidden by woodland. The castle is thought to have been built as a response to the turmoil of King Stephen's reign by Ralph de la Haye, an active supporter of Stephen.

Arrived back at the Leisure Centre at a little before half past 3 having covered close to 50 miles. Thanks to Alan for devising a splendid route exemplifying what treasures we have on our doorstep with the delights of the Lincolnshire Wolds and marsh lanes alike.