Horseshoe Point

Cycling UK Louth ride to Horseshoe Point

Sunday 26th September 2021

Reg Bagshaw had celebrated his 83rd birthday in June and had hoped to lead a favourite ride of his to Horseshoe Point. Sadly, injuries he sustained at the time meant that the event was postponed until today, Sunday 26th September. An extra special day as it was also National #GetOutsideDay !

Meeting up at Louth Meridian Centre were Tim Newbery, John Ambler, Alan Hockham and Rob Cook. Reg would be waiting for us near his home.

The weather forecast had promised much, indeed plenty of warm sunshine! However, at the Leisure Centre, skies were leaden grey threatening rain and the wind had started to pick up. Chilly! So much so that Rob had to dash back home to pick up an extra layer. We did eventually meet up with Reg who led members on his carefully planned route which for once would take us through the back lanes of South Cockerington. Very attractive too.

Onwards and across Alvingham lock to Yarburgh, the Covenhams and then a right hand turn to take us past the reservoir. Once we reached the West End, Church Lane took us to Marschchapel.

Unusually now, Reg would take us along North Lane which joins up with Sheep Marsh Lane eventually leading to Horseshoe Point. As our most senior member Reg had pushed on at a cracking pace and we arrived ahead of schedule. Skies were still overcast and temperatures stuck at only 15 degrees Celsius.

The origin of the name Horseshoe Point is thought to be self-explanatory but over the decades, perhaps centuries, coastal erosion and more recent Environment Agency flood alleviation works have meant that it’s difficult to visualise anything resembling a horseshoe bay nowadays. Never the less it’s an important ecological area for its fauna and flora including the now protected eelgrass beds. The cockleshell beds are also closely managed with the Cockle Fishery only opening up again on 1st October.

Horseshoe Point also gives testimony to defences set up in World War II and close to where we were enjoying hot drinks and snacks were a concrete, coastal observation post of the Second World War Coastal Crust and a Stanton shelter, once buried under the sea bank but now recently excavated. Nearby there would also have been a coastal defence battery with a 4 inch gun.

Much more recently, Horseshoe Point has gained engineering acclaim as the landfall site for the Onshore Cable Installation from ‘Hornsea Two’, destined to be the world’s biggest offshore wind farm in the world by 2022. The cables are taken inland from here before reaching North Killingholme.

All in all, a fascinating area and Reg was quoted today as saying “I think it’s marvellous”

After a pleasant break, time to head back inland. We would say cheerio to Rob at this point as he had prior engagements in North Thoresby. For the remainder a route now into a stiff headwind but at least skies were trying to brighten a little as we headed back to Marshchapel and Covenham. We had to be careful on the narrow roads as we were encountering enormous tractors and trailers, busy with post-harvest work.

Reg’s ingenious route then had us pass by Alvingham Water Mill, a perfect photo opportunity. There is known to have been a water mill on this site since 1155 but the present mill was built in 1782 and is still in working order following extensive renovation in the 1970’s. A little further down the road we stopped again at the ‘stocks and whipping post’. Some say Tim got what he deserved!

Sunshine was now the order of the day and we reached Reg’s home a little ahead of schedule at 12.50 pm. Many thanks to Reg and Chris who had laid on a splendid Birthday Lunch with a table laden with scrumptious looking fayre. Chris had made plum and apple jam, scones and a delicious sponge cake. Tim was struggling to move when we finally had to make our way back to Louth!

Blue skies and temperatures at a significantly above average 22 degrees Celsius made for a very pleasant last leg into town, arriving at the Leisure Centre a little after 2.30 pm. About 40 miles (65 km) for the Louth contingent.

Rob probably managed a few more miles and had reported in with tales of sightings of Muntjac deer and 3 young red stoats. In North Thoresby, Rob was admiring a garden covered by miniature cyclamen, giving the impression of a layer of snow. The owner then informed him that they had been spread by ants over the years. Ants, apparently, like the sweet liquid which surrounds the seeds and so spread the seed far and wide.

Glad that everyone enjoyed the day and special thanks to Reg and Chris for the lunch.