U3A Recycled Ride

Transcription

1 U3A Recycled Ride Cyclists: Dave Williamson, Steve Watts, John Boddice, Adrian Benson, Paul Bonell, Chris Eagleton, Nick Hart, Chris Szafran, Bob Watson, Rod Webster, Trevor Whatmore, Ian Metcalfe, Geoff Martindale and Bob Savage Mileage: 34 Miles Outward Route: Walkington - High Hunsley - South Newbald - Hotham (brief stop at The Officers Mess) and then on to The North Cave Wetlands Centre Homeward Route: Everthorpe - South Cave - Elloughton - Welton - Melton - Swanland - Skidby (The Sails Café) and then back home. Flu after Christmas and the Artic weather meant I had not done much cycling this year. It was therefore with some apprehension that I joined a jovial group of cyclists at Beverley, self-conscious that I was wearing shorts (my leggings had mysteriously shrunk around the waist during the winter). Fortunately, Trevor rolled up in the same apparel! 1

2 After a photograph from Big Wheel we mounted our iron (or carbonfibre) horses and headed over the Westwood to Walkington, then up to High Hunsley and South Newbald, arriving in the delightful village of Hotham. We had a photo at the Officers Mess and then cycled through the lovely estate. Hotham Parish has a population of 233 (2011 census). The first Baronet, John Hotham, was knighted by James I and was a Member of Parliament. During the English Civil War, in 1641, Sir John was ordered by Parliament to retain the arsenal in Hull. When King Charles I came to visit Hull, the gates were closed to him. After a siege of three weeks, John Hotham was arrested as a traitor, and he and his son were executed. Another son went into exile and returned with William of Orange in 1688, becoming Governor of Hull the following year. The Hotham family estate is now in South Dalton. The manor of Hotham was purchased in 1719 by the Burton family, who probably built Hotham Hall soon afterwards. 2

3 On exiting the estate, there is a plaque dedicated to the casualties of Ypres, 347 miles away, in WWI: 90,000 killed, 71,000 missing, and 110,000 wounded. What a waste of human life! From Hotham we pedaled to the North Cave wetlands Centre, where the Wild Bird caravan café plied us with bacon rolls and burgers, Big Wheel having wisely phoned from Hotham. I thought Mrs. Bird would have made marmalade sandwiches, but the burgers made up for it. Two cyclists (presumably with hollow legs), excelled, namely Paul two burgers Bonell and Chris two burgers Szafran. 3

4 After having lunch with the ducks, we proceeded past the prisons at Everthorpe and Cave Castle down a scenic route to South Cave, only to have to retrace our steps back to Water Lane, an aptly-named potholed track where there was often more water than road. By the time we reached Elloughton, my legs were feeling like jelly, and Rod very kindly kept me company, and Dave hung back for us. Shank s Pony was used to get us up the steep road back over the Wolds, until the road flattened out and we were on our way to Swanland. After a photo-shoot at the pond, we headed down to Kirk Ella, then Willerby, Cottingham and the Sails Café at Skidby. (Tea and lemon drizzle cake- my favourite!) I could feel life returning to my legs as we ploughed on to Morrisons, where we parted company and headed off for a cool beer and a hot bath. As our motto says, we don t like it too easy! NBH 4

5 Leaders Notes Sorry you guys, just couldn t resist putting these in. A valiant effort after a lengthy absence. 5