Waltham Windmill 29-12-2024

A ‘twixt’ Christmas and New Year Ride and following on from several days of low temperatures, mist, fog and drizzle it was a miraculous change to sunny conditions today with a predicted top temperature of a mild 10 Degrees Celsius.

 

A request had been made to re-visit the rather fine Back to Basics Café at Waltham Windmill and joining Tim Newbery were Paul Linder who had cycled in from Alford, John Rickett, Steve Croton, Ty Harness having already clocked up over 200 miles this week, Martin Wood and Alan Hockham.

 

With the wind behind us, we’d enjoy a pleasant easy paced ride through the Covenhams and Fulstow to Tetney and Holton le Clay. Being careful not to turn automatically to the Four Candles we’d follow the shared cycle route past Tollbar to Waltham. Great to see so many other cyclists out, perhaps heading to Louth to enjoy refreshments in the various town’s cafés.

 

Back to Basics Café was having a busy day so with outdoor seating in full sunshine and shelter we decided to dine outside. Very generous egg, bacon and sausage sandwiches were served along with gallons of tea and coffee.

 

An understandable break in the restoration work of the windmill but repairs are due to be finished early in the new year which will include the repainting of the tower, cap and sails.

 

From 1666 to the present day, there has always been a mill in the village of Waltham. Several mills have been built and operated here and the present one, which was built between 1878-1880.

 

Paul would return to Alford along the flat whilst the remainder would make the climb to Ravendale to enjoy the vistas of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Passing through Wold Newton, we’d soon reach today’s highest altitude of 420 ft AMSL alongside the former RAF Kelstern airfield.

Last leg now along North Elkington Lane and downhill all the way to Little Grimsby. We hadn’t seen too much birdlife today except for a few sightings of buzzard, but we had heard the characteristic and beautiful vocalisations of the robin. Perfect on a winter’s day.

 

Arrived back to base at 1.45 pm, a little ahead of schedule having covered close to 37 miles. Thanks again to John for he final round of hot drinks.

 

Tim's 'Relive' video: https://www.relive.cc/view/v1Ow1y3nVEq