Day 12: Holbeach Fen to Market Rasen

A very windy night. I was up at 5:00. Heated a Ginsters pasty in my Bain Marie while I went about my ablutions. Ate the pasty with a steaming mug of hot chocolate. I got off at 6:25. THE WIND WAS BEHIND ME!! Because of all the twists and turns through the fens I decided to rely on the route on my phone and it worked superbly. Just occasionally I doubled back into the wind; reminded me how lucky I was.

More cabbage pickers and another group planting a field with seedlings. This planter had five on the back dropping in the seedlings. Reminded me of sitting on a potato planter when I was 13 dropping potatoes every time a bell rang. I think I earned one and thruppence (about 6P) an hour. I bet these guys weren't on much more than the minimum wage.

I was largely following NCN 1, now. I successfully used my phone mapping to take me through Boston (a test). Caffe Nero in Boston at 8:15 for a "free" loyalty card Americano, a Times, and an apricot pastry.

I deviated from NCN 1 to reduce the distance. There was a constantly changing sky with dark clouds then light clouds; one moment sun, then overcast. Planes from RAF Connorsley (probably). Occasional boats on the River Witham. I kept stopping to take photos.

I joined a disused railway line until Bardney. The track was fine; a few gates but an excellent surface. I stopped at a bench, overlooked by ferrous sheep, and had a brew sheltering the burner underneath the enclosed bench.

Had hot chocolate, Samozas, a banana and a Canadian maple syrup crunch bar. Another good ride today. I could easily get beyond Market Rasen but decided to stop at the campsite there then it will be two more days to home. I didn't see another soul on the whole length of the track. It became a dirt track (which would have been best avoided) round the sugar factory. Just before Market Rasen I rejoined NCN 1.

At Market Rasen I stopped at a Tesco for tonight's food and something for tomorrow morning. Then stopped at the butchers. Bought two huge lamb steaks for £2.90. The butcher reckoned Walesby Woodland would be the best bet for my campsite. Market Rasen seemed a nice place.

So I went to Walesby Woodland campsite. £12 but nice quiet site with good facilities and a place to pitch away from everyone else (not that I actually saw any other campers during my stay).

Showered, washed clothes and read the rest of the paper. Rushed back to tent to shelter from thunderstorm which didn't materialise but later another one did. Stayed in tent reading until it stopped then cooked. Lamb steak with onion gravy and Mexican rice, excellent; two glasses of wine; followed by steamed treacle pudding and custard plus an apple and banana. Radio 4 and the demise of the News of the World, too!

What an excellent days cycling. Wind behind me. Unexpectedly interesting terrain, though that may be the novelty value. Saw loads of showers but none reached me except one very light one, which only lasted for a few hundred metres.

Distance: 102.47 k

Time: 4: 45: 1 9

Average: 21.5 k/hr

Max: 34.0 k/hr

Height asc: 464m

Campsite: Walesby Woodland campsite, Walesby, Market Rasen £12 but nice quiet site with good facilities and a place to pitch away from everyone else (not that I actually saw any other campers during my stay).