WassOnCoffee Ramblings – A Railway Ramble Part 2
Welcome to WassOnCoffee Ramblings Part 2. Following on from Part 1 we’ll continue with the Spires and Steeples route from Lincoln to Metheringham.
A Chilly Start
On a cold frosty Friday January morning myself and Ian met as the only passengers joining at Metheringham Station on the East Midlands Railway train to Sleaford. The warmth of the train was a nice welcome from the cold station. As we approached Ruskington the sun was just breaking on the horizon and the day was looking good.
Before we knew it we had arrived at Sleaford and we had disembarked the train and the realisation dawned! We now had a thirteen mile walk back to Metheringham to complete our Spires and Steeples journey. Follow this link Spires And Steeples for details.
The First Coffee
Getting my fix of coffee, a call at Costa Sleaford was needed to top up the caffeine levels and give a boost for the day ahead. We soon arrived at The Hub which is an Arts and Crafts venue on the Sleaford Canal and worth a visit if you’re in the area.
Daylight was now breaking as we followed the towpath saying hello to the passing dog walkers and people heading for a swim at the leisure centre. We had a real treat as a flash of bright blue skimmed pass. It was a Kingfisher and a real bonus.
Dawn broke with a great sunrise as we passed under the busy A17 with vehicles rumbling on their busy journeys. We, however, had the peace of the riverbank.
Ruskington Coffee Time
Our canal journey soon ended as we picked up tracks and minor roads to take us in the large village to Ruskington. It was now busy as it had gone nine o’ clock. We already had over four miles in the bank now and were ready for a refresh and something to eat. A nice welcoming cafe called Cuppa Bliss in the village centre was our choice and we enjoyed a cup of coffee, carbs and a good chat to put the world to rights. A check on the watch meant it was time for our next part of our of journey, which will be continued. in Part 3.
WassOnCoffee Ramblings – A Railway Ramble Part 1
Wassoncoffee Ramblings – A Railway Ramble.
Rambling or drinking coffee was the choice recently on Monday? Why not do both was the decision.
Myself and friend Ian left Metheringham station at 07:30 on the train to Lincoln. We met up with a fellow rambler convert James to head out via the Witham to Washingborough route on a dry morning. It certainly was an early start for James, who had been there since 06:00 as he couldn’t sleep! I don’t know if it was excitement or nerves lol.
A spirited pace took us via the river Witham and Stamp End lock via the old Titanic Building, so called as when built it was to the same dimensions as the ill fated liner. As we followed the old railway line out of Lincoln, in the footsteps of the original main line from Scotland to London until the 1890s we passed quite a few commuters heading in to Lincoln on their cycles. None looked happy to be heading to work!
On reaching the old station at Washingborough we left the level route and climbed up through the village past the hotel. The climb was our first test of the day, and it finished very near the railway tunnel near Heighington. It is a very small tunnel, and most people will not know it is there!
We then followed the Spire and Steeples route to Branston, via Branston beck which is one of the few Chalk Streams in the area. On reaching Branston we enjoyed a good coffee and bacon butty at the old Library cafe and can certainly recommend a visit.
Our route then followed the villages via Potterhanworth where we encountered our first Sqad (Lincolnshire for mud). The farm estate village of Nocton then followed, formally Smith Crisps and now Dysons (yes, the vacuum cleaner man). Most of the Strawberries you consume this time of year are grown here in massive glasshouses.
The lane to Dunston followed via paths I had not walked before so a nice bonus. We could finally see Meg (Metheringham) which was our journeys end. We felt proud of our achievement. Twelve miles walked in under four hours was a good ramble and we arrived back in Meg before the rain.
