Maltby le Marsh 11th September 2024

Following a suggestion by Steve Croton, today we were set to visit Eastfield Farm Plant Tearoom at Maltby le Marsh. We’d been past on occasion but never taken refreshment there before.

 

Weatherwise, all was set fair with plenty of sunshine in the morning although showers were due by about 2 pm. Even the earlier prediction of gusts to 40 mph had been downgraded to 30 mph.

 

With Tim Newbery, Martin Wood and John Rickett departing the Meridian Leisure Centre at 10 am, we were due to meet up with Steve Croton in Withern. The brisk westerly wind torpedoed us along the lanes through Stewton and Legbourne Furze, the dappled light on occasion making it difficult to make out the cracks and potholes in the narrow lanes.

 

Passing through Withern at 10.40 am we’d find out that we were running ahead of Steve’s timings so that a rendezvous at Eastfield Farm was arranged for a little after 11 am.

 

The tearoom is set in a 200 year old converted milking parlour with lights ingeniously fashioned out of recycled milking parlour collection jars. Refreshments were equally fine with a mix of bacon sandwiches and bagels going down a treat.

 

A return would take us back to the Alford Road where Steve peeled off for home. He’d already clocked up a respectable mileage. Tim, Martin and John would continue along Rye Lane to Claythorpe. Our journey was slowed by a brisk headwind, although Greenfield Wood and dense hedgerows offered some respite.

 

Tim would re-route at Claythorpe preferring the climb from Station Farm to Authorpe Grange. Great views as always across to the Great Eau and the sun was still shining brightly, pushing temperatures up to 13 Degrees Celsius. Well below average but actually not feeling that cold.

 

Arrived back at the Leisure Centre in the dry about 1.15 pm for a final cup of coffee. Sharp showers and thunderstorms followed an hour later.

Many thanks to all for their company.