Conisholme 29th April 2024

With close to 20 mm of rain giving a thoroughly wet day on Sunday, the scheduled ride to Caistor had been cancelled (we’ll re-run this sometime soon). An impromptu ‘Monday Meander’ would take advantage of fine dry and much milder weather, although winds were set to gust to 30 mph in the morning and 35 mph in the afternoon giving very blustery conditions.

 

Meeting up at Louth’s Leisure Centre at 09.30 am were Steve Croton, John Rickett and Tim Newbery.

With Tim still in recovery mode from a virus, John had suggested a shorter ride to Appleby's Ice Cream Parlour for hot drinks … or perhaps an ice cream.

 

Clear blues skies, brilliant sunshine and a brisk south to southwesterly wind meant for a swift journey through Brackenborough, all the way to Newbridge Lane and Covenham St Mary. Eastbound now to Fen Bridge, the Louth Navigation and its associated warehouse. A fine-looking building but showing signs of neglect since its sale a few years ago.

 

Fen Lane would direct us to Grainthorpe (missing out on the bacon sausage and egg baps that had been on sale at the Mill on Sunday) but it wouldn’t be too far to Conisholme and some well deserved refreshment. Tim couldn’t resist a single scoop of vanilla ice cream whilst Steve and John opted for scones and tea cakes.

 

Following a leisurely and very pleasant chat, time to do battle with the strengthening winds and head to South Somercotes and Howdales. Hedgerows, increasingly festooned with blossom, gave invaluable shelter as when we pedalled into open ground we were buffeted by the gusty winds.

 

Arriving at South Cockerington with Tim working up a sweat it was decided to head back to Louth. There’s a rather fine village sign referring to the settlement having its origins in the Saxon period. The name derives from an older name of the lower reaches of the River Lud, the River Cocker … which itself is derived from Celtic 'crooked' or winding.

 

Arrived back at the Leisure Centre at 12.30 pm having covered about 40 km (25 miles). Many thanks to all.

Tim's Fly-Through Route: