Woodthorpe 17-01-2024

A Wednesday Wander to Woodthorpe 17th January 2024:

A minty fresh Arctic airmass had once again gifted us a glorious cerulean blue sky, stretching into the distance with hardly a cloud to be seen. With a gentle breeze, bone dry back roads and with appropriate clothing (Tim trying out his Canadian long johns) perfect conditions awaited our winter’s ride. 

John Rickett had ridden from home to join today’s Ride Leader Tim Newbery at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre, with the promise of meeting up with Steve Croton at Legbourne and Paul Linder at Woodthorpe. A very respectable turnout. Temperature on departure minus 1.1 Degree Celsius.

Our outbound route to Froghall Fishing Lakes necessitated a short detour but we were only slightly delayed in meeting up with Steve at the junction with Furze Lane. Aided by a tailwind, we’d bowl along the back lanes through the Carltons, noting an abundance of farm vehicles with tractors busy ploughing, maintaining hedges and carrying out general winter maintenance.

Arriving at Woody’s Bar and Restaurant around 11 am, Steve noted that the temperature had risen to plus 0.1 Celsius. With the sun still beaming down it was even starting to feel warm! Paul was waiting patiently inside and we’d soon be enjoying hot drinks and a variety of beans on toast, bacon and sausage sandwiches. A chance too for Steve to try out Paul’s trike following refreshments.

Paul headed back home from here whilst the remaining troupe took the attractive hedge lined Rye Lane to Greenfield Woods and Claythorpe, a multitude of berries waiting to be foraged. We noted building works under way by the bridge and the Water Mill, hoping all would be complete by the spring re-opening of the tea rooms.

Bidding farewell to Steve it would leave Tim and John to continue through Muckton and past the ancient chalk pits at Fir Hill, on the line of the old marine cliff. This road is an extension of Barton Street, a prehistoric trackway following the edge of the chalk Wolds from the Humber to the Wash. 

Fir Hill always allows a splendid and uninterrupted view of the Great Eau Valley and indeed beyond to the middle and out marshes and to the coast. Today was no exception and we took time to enjoy the panorama. Tim was by now removing some of his thermal layers such was the weak but relative warmth given off from the rising sun.

Arrived back at the Meridian Leisure Centre at 1.01 pm with the temperature registering plus 1.1 Celsius. 25 miles for the Louth contingent. 

A fine, enjoyable day out with thanks to all for the company. 

Much milder but perhaps stormy for Sunday!

‘January’

Sparkling winter sunshine,

Faces all aglow

Making resolutions,

And tracks in the snow –

Steaming cups of cocoa,

A year that’s fresh and new …

All of this is magic –

Unfolding just for you