Alford 20-12-2023
Wednesday Wander to Alford 20-12-2023
With Tim Newbery able to return from an appointment in time for a 10.30 am departure, he met up with Alan Hockham, Paul Linder and John Rickett at the Meridian Leisure Centre (which we’d find to be closed until the New Year). Steve Croton would join us at Legbourne.
The weather could be best described as fair to middling (Tim had earlier witnessed a magnificent sunrise over the Humber Estuary) with outbreaks of rain predicted by 1 pm. Gusty winds too, reaching 30-35 mph by afternoon.
Departing at 10.30 am, riders made their way along Stewton Lane and Furze Lane leading us to where Steve was waiting in ambush near The Queens Head. A good turnout of five members would then follow the quiet lanes through Authorpe and Aby before Tothby Lane took us directly to Alford. Alan had already departed at Claythorpe watermill as he had prior duties at home to attend to.
Paul had suggested taking refreshments at The Willow Tea Rooms but today the restaurant was fully booked. Onward then to Café R&R by the library where we were well looked after, each being given a complimentary slice of Christmas Cake. Delicious. There then followed a lengthy discourse about what culinary delights Paul’s guests would receive when visiting over Yuletide.
The townsfolk had gone to great lengths to provide some imaginative festive post box ‘Toppers’ and bollards were similarly topped in the market square.
A return route via Well would test John’s fitness levels but he passed with flying colours and it wasn’t long before we were discussing the ancient monument at Miles Cross Hill crossroads. In addition to being the location of a Bronze Age pit, this is also the site of a ‘plague stone’. Alford was isolated by the ‘plague in 1630, years before outbreaks occurred in London. The ‘plague stone’ was where people from the surrounding countryside sold goods to the affected town’s inhabitants, who were in danger of starvation from being trapped. Having placed money at Miles Cross Hill, the townsfolk then retired while the countryfolk exchanged food for the cash. A hollow in the stone was filled with vinegar to purify the coins.
Onwards now in happier times, the wind was gusting to 30 mph but at least it was mild with temperatures a few degrees above the seasonal average.
Paul and Steve would head back home at South Thoresby which would leave Tim and John to pedal onto Meagram Top and along the ‘Top Road’ to Muckton and Little Cawthorpe.
Arrived back in Louth at 1.45 pm having covered close to 50 km (31 miles). Many thanks to all for the company.