The Humber bends at West Clough; twists north-westwards and drops its alignment with the Humber Bridge. And as I turned with it, then left the riverside to take the path alongside Welton Clough, it felt like a significant moment on the journey. Hull and the Humber Bridge behind, and now, ahead in the far distance, the next human-made icons in this flat landscape: the towers of Drax and Eggborough power stations, smoking in the afternoon sky.
A good ten miles, Hessle to South Cave, today, via Brough Airfield where two hobbyists were flying their radio-controlled planes in a far field, above which a glider pilot took out his craft for its weekend spin. And where inside, the sheds of BAE hummed and clanked with the activities of manufacturing Hawk jets. A young couple giggled and hugged on the security wall facing the estuary, dog walkers and joggers passed, and this hiker.
The old ferry road / old Roman road north out of Brough passes the Golf Club and the exclusive houses around it – marked for the passer-by by the presence of security gadgets and signs on the gate saying PLEASE USE OTHER ENTRANCE. If your home has more than one entrance, it’s big. This is Hull hinterland; it emerges in later conversations that some occupants here would equally look to Leeds to work, Meadowhall to shop, and lovely little Ellerker which I pass through next, for all its beauty has no shops, its one remaining licensed premises no longer a pub but an expensive restuarant.
Seems to me that South Cave has a bit more than that about it. Though the roads were choked with cars for the Farmers Market when I pass the public park it’s being well used: by the older villagers gathered at the bowls club pavilion, by younger women at the tennis courts, by families enjoying the well-equipped play area uphill and by gaggles of teenagers on benches. At the entrance a mobile opticians continues to trade: and the Castle (weddings and conferences) and the Fox & Coney (Theakstons on tap) are doing good Saturday afternoon business. I’m the guest of Andy and Michelle – they do a very good barbeque and later take me to the Green Dragon, Welton for more good conversation about Hull and its environs.
Hi, John!Keep going! I’m enjoying following your progress on the web and still hoping to carve some time to join you for a day. All the best, Phil Smith
Hi John. Really enjoying the story of the journey. This could be a challenge to Michael Palin’s TV documentaries. Waiting in anticipation of Sunday’s journey comments!!! best wishes and hope your not getting to many blisters.
Ben
Where are you John?? It Tuesday at 3:20pm and there’s still no word from JD as to his walks on Sunday and Monday?? Has he fallen of the edge of the world? (it is very flat over there). Send out a search party we need his daily reports!!!
Fear not Ben, the air silence has been due to a lack of wireless hotspots in the internet wilderness between North Cave and Goole. Updating today … but may be a few other gaps along the way.
Very enjoyable and interesting. And I was begining to worry you had disappeared, (prehaps upsetting the locals). Seriously, enjoying the daily reports.
Ben