Eleven witches🧙♀️ and wizards🧙♂️ gathered at Market Cross for this Sunday’s ride to Hutton Cranswick Farm Shop. “Double double, toil and trouble….” and that’s just the route. “Is Grovehill Road open?” asked one wizard. Looking around at the sea of puzzled faces nobody knew definitively so Pugwash offered up an alternative way to reach Weel Bridge. Then at the “witching hour” we mounted our “broomsticks” and set off. “Follow Puggy” cried head wizard.
On passing the end of Grovehill Road there were no signs of closure but we kept going on the alternative mystery tour. Eventually we arrived at the “magic roundabout”. “Now I know where we are!” cried out one wizard. Progress to Tickton was fairly swift aided by a following wind.
Just as we approached the road crossing at Tickton, we caught up with “Gandalf” plodding slowly along the cycle path. Due to the amount of traffic we didn’t all manage to cross together. 🎶”Should I stay or should I go” 🎶 If we wait we’ll have pass “Gandalf” again, thought Mark as he continued along the cycle path pursued by Pugwash. “We can wait at Whitecross roundabout to regroup”.
The “coven” then continued through Leven and Brandesburton taking ‘spells’ on the front eventually taking the road to Dunnington. The pace remained quick until reaching Skipsea Brough where we then turned westwards and our first taste of headwinds through to Beeford. Turning off towards Foston-on-the-Wolds we had a brief respite from the wind.
When we reached the Frodingham Road the “coven” stopped to regroup, all except Mark who suddenly shot off towards Brigham. “Where’s he going?” we all asked. “Has he gone the wrong way?” “Perhaps he’s going to try the Brigham sprint”. It soon became clear as he rested his “broom” against a nearby tree. Meanwhile, Head Wizard suggested phoning the cafe when we reach Wansford and began a head count. “Why don’t you phone now?” suggested Head Witch followed by a chorus of “Yes Neil, why don’t you phone now? The Head Witch has spoken”. The “incantations” however fell on deaf ears as he shot off up the road.
After another brief pit stop at Wansford Bridge it was now full on into the wind as we continued to Skerne and Hutton Cranswick. “Did he call the cafe?” someone asked. Turns out four of the “coven” were not stopping.
After refuelling at the Farm Shop, the remaining seven set of to battle into the wind heading towards Bracken farm. Just as we reached Bracken top, there was a loud pop. “Oh oh, curses, PUNCTURE!” cried Mark. In effecting the repair he was ably assisted by Matthew and we were soon on our way again. However less than a mile further down the road once again “BANG phssst” was heard. “Double curses” wailed Mark as he pulled up to inspect the damage. “Looks like that hole in your tyre is the cause” we all suggested before adding “You’ll need a new tyre now but here’s a tyre patch to get you home”. “What!” cried Mark “I’m a Yorkshireman, there’s another 1000 miles in that tyre”.
Once on our way again, we continued battling into the wind as we followed our usual route home through Holme-on-the-Wolds to Etton and Cherry Burton.