27/09/2017; St Neots C&CC Site

Wednesday, 27th September 2017

St Neots Camping and Caravan Club Site.

Dry buy cloudy start to the day, but, by 10:00, the sun is breaking through the cloud, and, BBC Weather promises 20C for later today.

Today, we have promised ourselves we will cycle to Grafham Water. According to various information I have found on the internet, the distance quoted from St Neots to Grafham Water is anything between 6 miles and 11 miles. I tell Kathleen it is seven miles.

I researched the route very carefully, so we do not get lost, not that Kathleen would complain, or create a fuss, you understand.

Most of the route follows a National Cycle Route (NCN 12). These routes, as I understand it, are supposed to be suitable for any type of bicycles, and all cyclists, including families with children.

Hmm....

I do read some critical comments about NCN 12 on the internet, but, I keep this information to myself, no point provoking grumbling in the ranks.

We leave St Neots on a well signposted, well surfaced cycle track, so far, so good. This continues as we cross over the A1, on a bridge, through the village of Hail Weston, on, through a ford (Kathleen uses the bridge), we have done about five miles, and, all tarmac, so far.

We come to a junction, which, I was expecting, from my route planning, where we join a gravel farm track. It is a little rutted, from heavy farm machinery, slight grumbling is heard.

Soon, we are back on a quiet tarmac lane.

But, it does not last for long, the signposting takes us off the tarmac lane and onto a rutted and overgrown farm track.

I have to admit, it is rather difficult going.

Grumbling level increases significantly.

Kathleen decides it is easier to walk than to attempt to negotiate the narrow gravel strip, avoiding the protruding large stones.

Eventually, we emerge onto a tarmac track again, and, soon we are at Grafham Water.

Approximately 8 miles from St Neots.

I suggest we cycle the 8-10 miles around Grafham Water, nothing doing, instead we cycle to the cafe/visitor centre and have refreshments. Fortunately, they sell Tunnocks Teacakes, a particular favourite of Kathleen's, almost, but, not quite a smile.

We cycle in the opposite direction, to what we assume is another cafe/visitor centre, but, it appears to be a "Water Adventure Centre", for school children, with no facilities for casual visitors, who left school some 55 years ago!

We retrace our route, to St Neots, 19.5 miles in total, not a bad little ride out, in my opinion.












Thursday, 28th September 2017.

Heavy rain, overnight, and a grey start to the day, but, 10:00 and the sun is breaking through the clouds.

After yesterday's cycle ride, today is more restful.

Aldi have their "Cycling Special Buys" today, so, we walk to the Aldi a short distance along the road and buy various items of cycling winter wear.

Next, a trip to Il Girasole, a rather nice Italian Restaurant, near the Market Square, in St Neots, where we have an excellent lunch, with too much food, and, if such a thing is possible, too much wine!

Somehow, despite the wine, we manage to cycle back to Aldi, to exchange one of Kathleen's items of cycling clothing for a bigger size.

Fortunately, the late afternoon is warm and sunny, so, we spend the rest of the afternoon lazing and snoozing in the sunshine.