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

The Fosdyke saga

Fosdyke Bridge circular

Tue, 2015 Sep 8 11:03 AM BST

With Marta. Still following the Welland as it makes its way through the marshes to the sea. Just under 10 miles, very flat. Dull weather with occasional spots of drizzle.

More details at the Walking Britain webpage:

We start the day with a cup of coffee - this is getting to be a habit. There's a friendly little café called The Moorings, and they are happy for us to park outside.

The bridge carries the busy A17 over the Welland, so we walk past the Yacht Haven, on the north bank, then cross to the south bank, past the The Ship Inn.

Later on the pub was just "Open"  "Open"

 We find the bridleway just before the caravan storage park.  It's about two miles on the path along New Sea Bank to some trees and a nature reserve.

At the trees we turn left towards the river and round to the right towards the Environment Agency's compound at Stone Quay. Little evidence of stone and a very small quay, but some smoke from a bonfire tended by employees.

A hundred yards or so past Stone Quay is a deep drain and a footpath going to the right. We take this and follow it for a sheltered half mile or so, until it turns left at a WWII pillbox.

Time for a snack. (I know, I know . . .)

It amused me to try out the panoramic view on my phone camera. The car (not ours) was parked very close to the pill box.

Good health, one and all!

When these pill boxes were built, they would have been closer to the marsh and the sea, but more land was reclaimed in 1948.

We head east for a couple of miles along the Old Sea Bank. There's a kestrel hovering, but not much other birdlife in evidence. We pass another pill box, and at the third one, turn left to head towards the Welland again.  We are disappointed that we can't see the river - there is a wide section of marsh. We can just about see Boston Stump, though it's rather a grey prospect today.

With the wind behind us we promise ourselves another stop after Stone Quay.  There's a lone heron by a marshy pool, a couple of ducks, and even two deer leaping over the fields towards the trees. Apart from these and a little egret earlier the wildlife isn't much in evidence.

We stop briefly by the gate to the nature reserve, have the tiniest piece of chocolate, and like giants refreshed set off to cover the remaining mile and a half back to Fosdyke Bridge.

This is as close as we got to the sea!

Disappointing weather, but an enjoyable walk nonetheless - until the wasp nest incident at the end!  We think the tractor mowing the long grass ahead of us may have disturbed a nest, and the wasps decided I was responsible - I did not know I could run so fast! Antihistamine tablets will now be added to my walkers' first aid kit, alongside the usual cream - now freshly bought and not out of date!

(added after Harry "outed" me on facebook!)