Tuesday, 9th August 2022
Clear blue sky, 16C at 07:30 and 27C at 13:00, even at 19:30, it is 25C .
Today, the plan is cycling, not too excessive, about 14 miles.
The planned route, is:
B1403 to Walkeringham, then, following small roads to Beckingham, from there, follow the cycle route alongside the A631 to Gainsborough, then, North, following a new cycle/pedestrian route along the east bank of the River Trent, rejoining quiet road at Morton, and on to Walkerith and East Stockwith.
Cross the River Trent at East Stockwith, to West Stockwith, then follow small road to Misterton, and back to Fountain Hall Farm CL.
The "plan" goes superbly, to Walkerith, here is Kathleen, approximately ten miles in, and, as fresh as a daisy.
On we go to East Stockwith.
Problem, there is no bridge or ferry which we can find.
A passing fellow cyclists tells us, rather to gleefully, for my taste, that the next crossing point is 14 miles further on, at Keadby. So, this will mean, 14 miles North, along the East bank of the Trent, then, 14 miles South, along the West
bank of the Trent.
This is all a bit reminiscent of a previous plan malfunction in Germany, when we crossed the Rhine at Koblenz, and, cycled down the opposite side, with the intention of crossing to our Campsite, only to find that the next bridge was 50 kilometres away. On that day, we were saved by a small ferry, no such luck today.
West Stockwith is tantalisingly close, but, not close enough.
We decide to retrace our route, to Gainsborough, where there is a bridge, and, then on to Fountain Hall CL.
Fortunately, there is a Farm Shop, with tea room, ice cream etc, in Walkerith.
So, a brief stop off for cooling Magnums and cold drinks, a small price to pay for peace and harmony.
We eventually arrive back at Fountain Hall Farm CL, after just over 22 miles of peddling.
Wednesday, 10th August 2022
At 09:00 it is already 22C, and, 30C promised for later today.
Today's plan is to walk along the canal towards Gringley-on-the-Hill.
Since canals usually avoid going up (or down) hills, I assume Gringley-on-the-Hill is not actually on the canal.
One advantage of walking along the towpath of the canal is, you cannot get lost, just keep the water on your left, and, no problem.
We do need to know when to turn off for the village, but, this problem is partially solved
when we meet a friendly local dog walker, who tells us, we need to turn off at "the middle bridge".
The friendly local dog walker also tells us that the pub, in Gringly-on-the-Hill does not open and/or serve food, every day of the week, but, he 'thinks' it is open today, if not, there is an alternative pub, 'The Duck' at the basin, about another three miles along the canal.
Kathleen strides out as usual, whilst I bring up the rear, observe the wildlife and countryside.
we have already past a couple of bridges, and, a moored Canal boat, before we meet the informative dog walker.
The next bridge we come to has no number plate, but, it is the first lock we have encountered, 'Middle Bridge' is the bridge after this, we are told, and, is about a third of a mile after the lock, we are told.
It turns out that 'Middle Bridge' is bridge number 75, so, my powers of deduction tell me the bridge at the lock (Shaws Lock) must be number 74 or 76.
Other than the moored Canal Boat we have not seen any evidence of boat traffic, the canal does not appear to be particularly well maintained, from a navigation viewpoint, although, we have passed a couple of marked out (free) mooring spots for boats.
This is a shame, because the canal and surrounding countryside are extremely pretty, and, have that sleepy, bucolic atmosphere for which canals are so well known.
Of course, it is a beautiful day, sun shining, warm, blue sky, I may not be waxing quite as
lyrical if it was wet, cold and windy!
We stop briefly, for a rest, and a drink of water (got to keep hydrated), at "Shaw Lock".
This turns out to have been a very wise move, because the walk, from the "Middle Bridge", to the village of Gringley-on-the-Hill, is long and reasonably steep, particularly in the now 25C heat.
But, to be expected I suppose, the clue is in the name!
Middle Bridge is quite recognisable, it has a number plate (No 75), and, a picnic area, complete with picnic tables and seats, on the canal bank.
There are some very desirable properties along the way, going up the hill.
When we eventually reach Gringley-on-the-Hill village, we find the pub (Blue Bell), it is only 11:30, and, it is closed at present, hopefully, it will be opening today.
We visit the village church (Saint Peters and Saint Pauls), which happens to be open, not sure if this is a routine "thing", or, if we have just struck lucky.
The church is ancient, there has been a Church here since before the Doomsday book, apparently, although, not this actual building.
It provides a cool place to rest our weary legs, as we wait for the Blue Bell to open.
There are a couple of children (both boys, about 7 and 11 I would guess), engrossed in their iPads, and, comparing about the poor internet signal (only 3g). They are, they tell us, the Vicar's children.
The Blue Bell opens at 12:00.
I have a welcome pint of Black. Sheep, while Kathleen makes do with a J2O.
They are serving food, but, there is nothing on the menu plain enough for Kathleen's taste buds.
We have noticed, there are bus-stops in the village, so, we decide to get the bus back to Misterton, if there is one.
I try the local bus companies App, but, it is not helpful, so, we walk to the bus-stop, and, do it the old fashioned way, ie, look at the timetable.
He stops for us, and asks where we are going. He is "not in service" he tells us, but, will take us to Misterton. In fact, he drops us at the entrance to Fountain Hill Farm CL, as good as a taxi, and free!
The Market Cross, or what is left of it, at Gringley-on-the-Hill.
Back at Fountain Hill Farm CL, Joanne (owner), had told us we would be having a fellow camper, on Wednesday, but, when we return (about 14;00), no sign of anyone else. About 15:00, a couple in a caravan arrives, and, would you believe it, they are from South Shields, actually, they live just off John Reid Road, so, they must live about 1.5 miles from us!
They are busy erecting their awning, so, perhaps best to leave them to it, and, if they are still a couple, when it is finished, we may exchange names.
