Wold Newton 9th March 2025

Taking advantage of the ‘Spring’ weather and meeting up at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre were Tim Newbery, Sven Livesey, Steve Croton, Alan Hockham, Paul Linder, Ty Harness and John Rickett. Chris Owen had indicated he’d meet up en-route. Another great turnout. 

 

Paul had indicated that the wind hadn’t been too helpful for his ride into Louth so we were hoping the moderate easterly breeze would help us climb up to the Lincolnshire Wolds. Certainly, a test of Paul’s fully repaired femur. 

 

All was fine as we headed across the packhorse bridge at Utterby, following another of the many chalk streams along North Ormsby Valley. Before human drainage schemes, these streams would have flowed to the North Sea through Grainthorpe Haven. 

 

Rob Cook in Tenerife had been blessed with sightings of Swifts and a Swallow. We were never the less delighted to hear ever increasing birdsong with the characteristic chirping call of Skylark. Sightings too of Pied Wagtail and several birds of prey.

 

A forward contingent lay in wait at the junction with Boswell Road, Paul’s first climb up here for months and he passed the test with flying colours. Chris would also be waiting for the team to re-group.

 

A pleasant enough amble along to Wold Newton, noting other cyclists travelling in both directions. All we hoped was that there’d be some refreshments left at the Village Hall by the time we arrived. We were in luck with a large variety of home baked goodies on offer.

 

On departure Sven, having ridden into Louth, would head for home with Ty too on a different route. The warm Spring sunshine was bringing along the verge side greenery and narcissi now in a variety of stages of colour. It won’t be long before ribbons of yellow brighten up the landscape. Fields too were being increasingly worked with tilling and the spreading of chalk and lime by agricultural machinery. 

 

Another stop outside Saint Clements Church in Grainthorpe for water bottle drinks and then a flat, wind assisted ride to Fen Bridge, crossing over the Louth Navigation. Certainly, a popular amenity today for families and ramblers as we’d see a number taking advantage of the picnic benches at Tickelpenny Lock. Initially called Keddington Mill Lock because the Abbey Mill was nearby, it was renamed after a family of lock keepers and toll collectors who also farmed at Keddington. 

 

Arrived back at the Meridian Leisure Centre at about half past one having covered 34 miles. Paul would end up with a good deal more. 

 

Tim’s ‘Relive’ video: https://www.relive.com/view/vMv8LdMQJPv