Woody's Wednesday Wander 17-04-2024

With a forecast of a sunny morning but clouding over with showers in the afternoon and well below average temperatures of just 9 Degrees Celsius, it was heartening that so many turned up for the Wednesday Wander.

 

Meeting up at Louth’s Leisure Centre were Paul Linder, Steve Croton, John Rickett, Martin Wood, Rob Cook and Tim Newbery. Alan had informed us that he was pedalling over to Woody’s Bar and Restaurant at Woodthorpe and with a few members not feeling 100 percent, it was decided to join Alan at Woody’s for refreshments.

 

Heading out on a familiar route through Stewton, Legbourne Furze and the Carltons, a moderate to fresh nor ’wester aided a brisk ride all the way to Woody’s and we arrived some 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Alan however was already in residence and that gave us plenty of time for a pleasant chat whilst enjoying hot drinks and a mix of bacon sandwiches and egg baps, Paul being extra careful not to have a yolk covered cycling top.

 

On return, a noticeable headwind slowed our progress (well, Tim’s anyway) and we’d bid farewell to Alan, Steve and Paul near Aby. Tim was hoping to take some photographs of the spring flowers, bluebells traditionally abundant by the chalk stream at Belleau Bridge. On this occasion, it would seem to be too early in the year for a display of this captivating flower, once known a ‘crowtoes’.

 

Following Rob’s suggestion of heading to Burwell Park and the former manor’s walled gardens we were rewarded with an abundance of bluebells and cowslips (a cousin of the primrose) all along the verge. Martin hadn’t been past the walled garden within the Burwell Hall parkland before, originally belonging to the former Georgian house built in 1760 for Matthew Lister, so an enjoyable detour.

 

As we progressed through the plantations along Dark Lane and Burwell Road, we were delighted to see some of the finest displays of wild or wood garlic that we’d seen in a number of years. An expensive herb when purchased at farmers markets or in the shops.

 

With skies now clouding over and darkening, we’d make our way through Muckton and Little Cawthorpe hoping that the showers would wait until our arrival back in Louth.

 

Tim and John continued to the Leisure centre with John kindly offering up a final cuppa. 28 miles (45 km). for the Louth contingent.

 

Thanks to all for a great turnout.

View a short video of the ride HERE