3 Dads Walking 2024 Day 18 - Bigby to Burgh on Bain

Yet again another morning where people were waiting for us when we got to the start. A dozen or so walked with us as we left Bigby. A cool dry morning, perfect for walking. Our group consistent of locals along with suicide-bereaved people who had travelled to walk with us.

We walked through a series of villages, all with Viking derived names – Searby, Somerby, Owmby, Clixby on the way to Caistor (a roman town). At each village/hamlet people came out to wish us well and Caistor came out in force. People on every corner and the road into the Market Square was lined with well-wishers. We were directed to the Heritage Centre where we were invited in for a brew. Whilst we sat having our drinks we were presented with a cheque from Caistor Lions.

After leaving Caistor we walked through some of the most beautiful countryside we’d seen on this walk, rolling countryside leading to Nettleton Dale where we heard a local clay pigeon shoot over the ridge. Cresting the ridge of the Lincolnshire Wolds the view opened up to the west and south, before we had taken this in we were intercepted by the leader of the clay pigeon shoot who invited us into his farm. We sat in a sheltered corner of the farmyard and all the clay pigeon shooters came out and talked to us. What a warm welcome.

After wishing them farewell we headed south again towards Walesby (another Viking derived village name) and up to the Ramblers Church – what a beautiful building in a lovely location. Shortly after we arrived at Tealby where we sat on benches behind the village hall where we were joined by more people touched by suicide. As we sat the sun broke through we sat and talked to the growing group who came to see us.

As we left Tealby we did something we’d never done before...walked into a wedding! Josh and Liv were having their wedding photographs taken and our route took us right through the middle of their group – we were invited to photographed(!). Should look good in their wedding album! Congratulations to Liv and Josh!

Our last few miles were done on lanes – back on tarmac our feet took a bit of a hammering. It was a relief to arrive at our lift at Burgh on Bain