Firstly, before I forget 100+km days are too long, I think 80km is the perfect distance!

Anyway, woke to a cacophony of bird song, it seemed the ones around the site were in on something bigger! It sounded like a really loud noise further away that got closer – like a Mexican wave is the best I can describe it. When I got out of the tent, there were just a couple of pigeons innocently pretending nothing was happening.

Got away before 8, and straight away cycling through the beautiful Sandringham forest – I was in my own world, until a scaffolding lorry came the other way to disturb the peace.

I soon found myself on the NCN1 (National Cycle Network), and it was a brilliant route into King’s Lynn. It went right past Castle Rising, which I have seen before and thought was the perfect castle. It turns out I must have been thinking about a different castle – I just need to work out where! It is still impressive though.

Almost as impressive as the Kings Lynn cycle paths, they are brilliant, weaving through well kept parks and well signposted with interesting art- really good.

Once I’d got out of town and crossed the River Ouse, it became the theme of the day. Flat country lanes through vast fields, there is so much agricultural here. Initially there were more towns, such as Sutton Bridge (over the Nene) and Long Sutton, with really grand architecture, it must have been a really important place.

Then into Lincolnshire, which welcomed with the tradition locked gate across the cycle path, (you could go around the side in the bushes!) a sign would have helped so much!

Then more flat, with some direct headwind, but more often than not you felt like you were “tacking” across the wind. It didn’t help, and I’m pretty sure I didn’t get a tailwind! It was head down stuff. The landscape is so flat, and there is nobody around, except where I chose to have my second lunch (or was it third!). As I was relaxing with a cheese and tomato roll, a huge tractor (with two tyres on each wheel) want to turn into the gate my bike was resting on – I hadn’t seen anyone for hours.

As I got to the River Witham, which I was going to follow about for about 30km all the way to Lincoln, there were incredibly loud noises from across the river. Initially I thought it was from the demolition of a small building. It turned out it was fighter jets taking off from (I now know) RAF Coningsby. You could hear the noise for miles! It did trigger the thought, that if something was going down – I’d be the first to know, but have no idea what. I’ve not been following the news – and everything is great now the pandemic is over (no don’t tell me otherwise!).

So the last 30km into Lincoln was along the superb Water Railway Line, miles and miles of excellent cycleway – it did get a bit cross-country at one point. Gradually Lincoln Cathedral started to appear on the high ground, and my time cycling across the fens was nearly over…..

With a jolt! Lincoln is incredibly hilly, I pushed my bike up to the cathedral. Mainly because it is very steep, but also the traffic system leaves you with no idea where to go! It’s an amazing old town. I’ve not been here before, hence including it on the route and it definitely deserves a longer visit. I did try, the Premier Inn was full and there wasn’t anything close to the centre for under £100.

So I went off in search for the campsite (shopping enroute for local beer), and found it. The warden finished at 5, and there were contrary messages about just pitching. So I pitched – I certainly couldn’t cycle much further – and I’ll sort it out in the morning. Although I don’t have a code for the toilets so I’m not paying full rate!

I’ve just had an amazing concoction for dinner – the coop didn’t have tortellini (!**?), so had to think fast. Mushroom omelette (ish – what you can do in a tiny pot), and beans. Here’s where the story is, I had been trying to cycle this as a vegetarian, however it turns out the tiny tin of beans I picked up in a rush has tiny sausages in with them! Obviously I ate them and will start my crusade again tomorrow.

It’s worth knowing that I try to type this in the evening, when I’m completely rambling and wordpress messes with the words! I try to sort it out in the morning (battery permitting), so it “may” be better then – but not as raw!