Here you can see the report from our latest walk and also some of the pictures that were taken.

Unless otherwise stated, report by Paul Coates and pictures by Keith Bilton.

Thursday 2nd.July 2009

Scamblesby, Rowgate Road, Rowgate Hill, Farforth, Ruckland, Worlaby, Bluestone Heath Road, Tetford (White Hart Inn), Platts Lane, Lowfield Lane, Avoca House, Belchford, Viking Way, Juicetrump Hill, Belchford Wood, Brookside Farm, Scamblesby (12 miles).

Sunny & hot

Col, Paul, Chris, Paul Craggs, Keith, Paul 'Sherlock' Holmes, Stu, Dudley, Ray, Jack, John Kendrew, Bob

Chris, Paul Craggs, Ray

Lincolnshire panorama

We had one of our occasional forays into deepest Lincolnshire today, this time visiting the South Lincolnshire Wolds to the west of Louth. Chris & Paul went to pick up John & Col at the agreed time in the Swiss Cottage pub car park, but the usually reliable duo were nowhere to be seen. So after a few minutes wait Chris drove round to Col's house only to find John & Col stood chatting to one of Col's neighbours. Amid cries of "come on you buggers there's walking to be done" we rescued the talkative pair and set off to meet the others at the Humber Bridge.

Meanwhile Craggsy tangled with a bloke on a motor scooter after picking up Sherlock and then executing a manoeuvre not found in the Highway Code. Apparently the scooterist was a well spoken gent of few words, two of the words being "mate" and "off". So, friendly but firm.

I will NOT get a tan!!

The journey from the Humber Bridge to Scamblesby took an hour with mainly clear roads. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and with the temperature already in the low 20's it was clearly going to be a hot one today. Luckily there was a very welcome cooling breeze blowing otherwise I'm sure we'd have all melted by lunchtime.

The first couple of miles was all road walking but it did include the steepest climb of the day up Rowgate Hill, but eventually we got to the path to Farforth. One feature of the paths today was how well looked after they all were. Whoever looks after them certainly does a good job. We had our morning grub stop on a hillside between Farforth and Ruckland sat among the long grass and biting insects.

Pyramidal Orchid

Keith was suffering a bit today with an aching foot. Some of the less charitable among us claimed he was only after sympathy but in the main all he got was abuse and derision with a slight quickening of pace whenever we felt he was catching up with the rest of us. Bob offered him some pain killers while others suggested amputation, but through gritted teeth Keith refused all offers of help. Eventually he accepted some of Doctor Bob's pills but they didn't seem to relieve his suffering. As Keith's limp got worse and/or more exaggerated Jack wondered if he'd actually put the tablets in his boot instead of taking them orally. Keith's reply was as predictable as it was abusive.

We arrived at the White Hart Inn at Tetford 10 minutes before opening time, a hanging offence back in Yorkshire. It was a genuine old world pub which according to the legend above the door was built in 1520. Dudley mistakenly believed this figure referred to the pubs closing time. John was in charge of the drinks kitty which is always good news for the rest of us. Whenever he does the share out we seem to mysteriously end up with more money than we put in (well almost). We're thinking of putting him forward for the treasurer's job if ever Chancellor Craggs tires of counting our money (don't hold your breath John!).

Enjoying the shade

Keith had claimed that once he'd got a couple of pints down him his foot would improve. And indeed this turned out to be the case as once we'd left the pub he was seen limping with his formerly good foot while his previous dodgy foot was miraculously limp free.

Our afternoon break was taken under the welcoming shade of some lime trees outside Avoca House. Someone had gone to the trouble of trimming the lawn so we assume they knew we were coming. As is customary we had asked the landlord back at the pub if he'd kindly fill a couple of flasks with hot water. But on opening said flasks we discovered that he'd filled them with cold water! Was this some sort of sick joke played by mine host who would even now be stood with the regulars of the White Hart Inn insanely laughing at this dastardly trick played upon the hot and thirsty walkers who had earlier disrupted the usually peaceful ambience of his pub, or was he just a twat!

Later, as we passed through Belchford village, we admired the many lovely cottages and gardens to be seen. However it did prompt the question 'what do all these people do for a living?' driving buses not being one of them. After the village we joined the Viking Way for the last couple of miles back into Scamblesby. By now the sun was really beating down and even the cool breeze had disappeared as we sizzled in the afternoon heat.

The FAC on tour in Lincolnshire	FAC feigning sympathy at Keith's foot (photo by Sherlock)

We soon arrived back at the cars where Ray dished out welcoming cupfuls of cold lime & lemon drink. It had been a great walk in a lovely area with the best of summer weather. Our second walk in Lincolnshire in recent times and it certainly won't be our last.

'Jacknav' leading the way	All shorts to be worn below the knee!!