Cycling near Boston - Oct 24 - 15 windy miles.

 We escaped for a self-catering weekend - rearranged from earlier in the year when we had hoped to see a show at Blackfriars Theatre. 

Instead we took the bikes and explored a part of the Fens north of where the Welland merges into the Wash. 

I had walked on the southern side five years ago  . 

We cycled from Kirton to Frampton church and along small roads, some of which were part of National Cycle Network Route 1. 

The elevation profile might lead you to think this was an easy ride, but you should never discount the wind in the Fens. All the way to Fosdyke Bridge it was hard work and we were more than ready to stop for a break.

The cafe I visited in 2015 was closed, but as always we had our trusty flask.  Not the most scenic place to stop,  but at least we were sheltered from the gale.

"Be bright, be seen!"

The Welland, looking inland

and out towards the sea

The ride from this point on was much easier wind assisted all the way. 

The view from the apartment

7 mile cycle ride round the valley

This is my standard short ride - done on the 17th and the 19th October. 

Egg boxes dropped off in Harringworth.

Walk from Gretton to Bulwick via Harringworth Lodge

!5th October 2020. Just over ten miles. 

View of the Welland valley and Seaton

Harringworth Lodge Lake

A profusion of cyclamen in Bulwick

The Pickled Village is open again

Looking back to Bulwick church

Local walk - October 11 - Gretton, Thorpe by Water, Seaton, Bisbrooke, Uppingham, Lyddington.

 Sunday 11 October . Around 13 miles. Almost 700 feet of up and down. Good weather too.

Following the public footpath beside the church and over the railway line, then down to the valley.

Past the trees where we heard cuckoos in the summer.

Over the footbridge to Thorpe by Water

Along the road and turning up to Seaton with a glimpse of the viaduct over the hedge.

From Seaton to Bisbrooke and on to Uppingham. From Uppingham we took the B664 towards Stockerston, turning off along a bridleway to the left to walk past Stoke Dry Wood. This is part of the Rutland Round path. We found a suitable vantage point for our lunch, overlooking Eyebrook reservoir.

The wall was not bad as a seat.  The path brings us out close to the top of the hill from Stoke Dry. We crossed the A47 and walked down the quiet road into Lyddington, with a view of the church.

Finally we walked back to Gretton via Lyddington and Middle Bridge over the Welland.

A week in Scotland mid-September 5 - cycling in the Pentland Hills

 Friday 18 September

We set off fairly early to Pentland Hills Park at Flotterstone Inn.  The car park was pretty full, this is quite close to Edinburgh.  The maps below show the early section of our route - I'd forgotten to switch recording on! I calculate the distance to be almost 3 miles...

We thought we'd have a pleasantly relaxing pootle/bimble...and so it proved early on along a smooth track, as far as Loganlee Reservoir, where we stopped for a coffee. 

Shortly after this the paths became  more rugged than we expected, and I walked some of the stonier sections. Definitely mountain bike territory in places. 

 

Lovely heather and foxglove colours, on a bright day!

The bikes coped pretty well - as we did.  We climbed around 780 feet in all.  The section from The Howe to Bavelaw was hard work.  We crossed the bridge at the south western end of Threipmuir Reservoir, cycled along side this and Harlaw Reservoir and found a pleasant spot for a well-earned picnic lunch.

The route from here was still pretty rugged in places. 

Yes, that was me....

Harry as we rejoined the gentler path at the end of the ride.
 

We had excellent views and weather, but  even at a short 12 miles, this was a much tougher ride than we originally planned. 

We were back at the car by around 3 pm, after a pause by Glencorse Reservoir on the way down.

A week in Scotland mid-September 4 - Tinto Hill

Thursday 17 September 2020

 Tinto Hill - a distinctive conical peak, 707 metres (2,333 feet) high. It is on the West Bank of the Clyde, about 5 miles from Biggar, and a popular spot with walkers and runners.

The name may derive from Scottish Gaelic “teinnteach”, fiery. It was used as a lookout beacon in the past.The red felsite rock, which glows in the setting sun could also account for the name.

We parked in the public car park at Fallburn near Thankerton - this was pretty full, since the weather was perfect.

A steep climb to the top, but well worth the effort.  Just over 6 miles, and 1900 feet of climbing.

Plenty of people, but we found place for coffee and cake

We added a detour to nearby Scaut for a quiet lunch

As usual, elevation profile looks impressive

The view of Tinto from near the cottage

A week in Scotland mid September - 3. A hill fort.

 Wednesday 16 September

A day of greyness with a chill wind.  Peebles was depressingly quiet and grey. It's normally a lovely town to walk around, with the banks of the Tweed for a breath of countryside too.

We had a short stroll through the town, following a trail, then decided to take flask and lunch somewhere else.  We turned off on a small side road, signposted to Dreva, and stopped for a car picnic.

We walked a very short way to the site of a hill fort near Broughton. Great views, cold wind.

Then into Broughton for a few provisions.