Waltham Windmill 31-07-2024

With Steve having missed out on the ride to Waltham a little while ago, a chance for all to visit Waltham Windmill and try out ‘Back to Basics’ Café which opened only a few months ago.

 

Meeting up with today’s Ride Leader Tim Newbery at Louth’s Leisure Centre were Steve Croton and John Rickett having just arrived back from epic adventures in Wales. Perhaps we’ll hear more in due course.

 

Weather wise, a fine day was in prospect with an amenable 21 Degrees Celsius with sunny periods and a refreshing easterly breeze. A bit of a contrast to the 30 plus degrees forecast for the west and south.

 

Departing at 10 am we’d head north to Utterby and North Ormsby, the fields either having been freshly harvested or still in the process with clouds of dust emanating from a number of combine harvesters. As always Steve and John made the climb up to Boswell Road look effortless ... Tim was just glad that from here our route would be gently undulating or downhill! Dappled shade of the route through Wold Newton was delightful although care was needed in weaving our though a number of tree branches felled by a hay cart.

 

We had indicated to Chris Owen an arrival time of about 11.30 am at Waltham Windmill and we were exactly on schedule, although it was a few minutes before we all met up. ‘Back to Basics’ is a charming Café tucked away at the rear of the windmill and home-made scones and bacon and sausage baps were enjoyed along with a selection of hot drinks.

 

Tours of the windmill were in progress which reminded us of when the club partook in a tour by the Windmill Preservation Society back in July 2018. The first mill (a trestle post mill) was built in 1666 but was blown down in 1744 in a ferocious storm. Rebuilt in 1769, she (windmills are female!) was destroyed again by strong winds. The current six double sided sailed tower mill was commissioned in 1878 and built by Saunderson of Louth for £500. An extra £50 to add a balcony was deemed too expensive. Tours of the mill continue throughout the school holidays.

 

Chis would depart for home at Waltham Toll Bar Academy (John being in the roll of honour as an Alumni) with the remainder continuing to Holton le Clay. Following a very bumpy ride on the temporary foot and cycleway by the new housing estate, John and Steve very kindly came to Tim's rescue whose rear light unexpectedly got wedged in his rear wheel. Added indignity came when Tim inadvertently knelt in an ant’s nest whilst inspecting the damage. Ouch!

 

Thankfully no further incident from here on and we’d enjoy a back wind all the way from Grainthorpe. Arrived at the Meridian Leisure Centre about 2.30 pm having covered 66 km (41 miles).

 

Thanks to all for the company. Perhaps a ride to East Kirkby Aviation Heritage Centre next Wednesday.

Tim’s ‘Relive’ video: https://www.relive.cc/view/vQvxQZJoZ9O