Parsons Drove to Woodall Spa
DAY FIVE: Parsons Drove to Woodall Spa (12 June 2021)
Ascent: 280 m
Legs: Luckily the easy terrain meant the legs were strong and relaxed; lucky as a fellow cycle tourist fell in with me and lifted the pace
Another early start, a brew-up by a remote track with noodles and asparagus as a late breakfast followed by a stop in Spalding. Most of the day involved plugging away through Lincolnshire with little to report other than enjoying the act of cycling, and today being a longer day I had to manage my stiff and aching shoulders. There were a couple of cycle chats, the first one was the routine question on where I was going and a comment about the smart looking 'rig'. The second cyclist to pull alongside had full panniers, front and rear and was touring. When I said I was headed to Richmond he was delighted as he was returning there after a tour to the south, very approximately the reverse of my trip. He mentioned his route had been via Monmouth and that he had been caught out by the hills; I should have taken more notice but I was still happily ignorant of real hills as I pedaled across what remained of the flat fens on my own adventure. Knowing my bike may be in need of some attention I asked about possible bike mechanics near Richmond. After a pause, "Cargill's on Richmond's Gallowfields industrial estate and ask for Scott" came the reply. This exchange of trail advice is always invaluable.
Woodall Spa itself was interesting and in some regards Lincolnshire's answer to Harrogate in Yorkshire. Golf England is based here and the straight high street boasts an array of pubs, coffee shops, butchers, bakeries and delicatessens. Later in the day I get to talk to a fellow solo camper who is walking the Viking Way as part of a wider plan to join up the Yorkshire Wolds Way and the Cleveland Way.
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| Breakfast stop at the side of a track |
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| I cross with caution |
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| Spalding |
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| Long and flat |
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| As usual, I am tucked away at the back beyond the caravans |
In the planning process I had struggled to find and select campsites. Though I had been initially reluctant to use the formal caravan focused Camping and Caravanning Club sites they turned into the predictably good safe havens in a journey of unknowns.
