Day 1 Boston to Surfleet

Boston to Surfleet

15 Miles

Signpost at Start of Macmillan Way

Every Sunday evening on “Countryfile” there is inevitably a report by John Craven where he bangs on about climate change. I wish he was with me today. It is the merry merry month of May and a biting northeast wind has been with me all day. That is not to mention the icy showers and even some very uncomfortable sleet and hail. A lively discussion on the topic of global warming would have helped the day go by nicely.

The weather apart everything else went rather well.  Boston Stump (a.k.a. St.Botolph’s Parish Church) was easy to find. It sticks up into the air way above everything else in Boston and can be seen for miles.

Ready To Go at Boston Stump

I set off at 9.30am exactly as planned and followed the River Witham until I reached the salt marshes. From there it was a simple matter of walking along the top of the sea wall around the northeastern part of The Wash and up the tidal reaches of the River Welland until I reached the sluice gates at the aptly named Seas End. I then walked along the edge of Spalding Golf Club to the day’s final destination of Surfleet.

I have to say that the walk was somewhat monotonous. There is only so much interest that can be maintained by following an elevated bank with salt marshes as far as the eye can see to the left and muddy fenland fields to the horizon on the right. If I looked backwards I could change it to salt marshes on the right and muddy fields to the left, with the added attraction of the gradually diminishing view of Boston Stump in the middle.

There was a brief change as I passed a rubbish dump, where seagulls were circling and squawking, but over the rest of the marshes every self-respecting bird was probably huddled in their nests seeking protection from the icy blasts coming from the North Sea.

The first 15 miles have been covered as planned. Tomorrow I will be following the River Glen up to Kates Bridge. This will be another 15 mile stretch and take me to the edge of fenland and the start of the limestone country of the Rutland Wolds.

There is one big extra bonus with which to end the day. Much to my surprise a pint of Carling at the hotel I am staying in is a whole 40p a pint cheaper than in my local. I have already managed to save a few bob, and as “Casualty” is about to start on the television (my wife is addicted, I can’t stand it) I am going back to the bar to save even more.

Surfleet Seas.