Gog Magog Hills and spills

With much of the county lying at or around sea level, indeed, there are some places in the Fens that sit 3 meters below sea level, Cambridgeshire isn’t really known for its uplands. So when we find ourselves cresting a hill in South Cambs it is well worth pausing to take in the view – before it gets reclaimed by the North Sea.

Which is just what we did on Thursday when Jeremy’s route took us up and over the Gog Magog Hills. At 75 meters these aren’t exactly lofty, but nonetheless high enough such that, on a clear day, you can spy Ely Cathedral some 17 miles to the north.

Windmiller Charles scoffs at the notion of these being hills at all, residing as he does near Great Chishill which sits at 146 meters above sea level. While not quite at Munro-level it does win the accolade of being in the highest village in Cambridgeshire.

Views aside, the only other happenings of note were:

• Martin B had an unfortunate encounter with a turnip – or maybe it was a sugar beet – causing him to fall off. We all stopped to assist, whereupon . . .
• Charles, discombobulated by Martin’s mishap, keeled over and went sprawling nearby. Thankfully, neither sustained serious injury and were subsequently seen comparing flesh wounds over coffee.
• We made our first visit to Gog Farm for coffee, which was very pleasant, though Paul was heard muttering about cake and a hot drink costing the best part of a tenner. Back in Yorkshire you can feed a family of four and a whippet on that sort of money.

So that’s South Cambridgeshire for you, flatish, with agricultural hazards and pricey refreshments. But hey, it’s home and we love it.

For the record, starting from Duxford’s Café 19, a dozen Windmillers rode a 32-mile figure of eight circuit south of Cambridge. Our runners and riders were: Alan, Brian, Charles, Chris, Geoff, Graham, Jeremy, Martin B, Neil, Paul, Ric and Roger.

Thanks go to Jeremy for planning the outing and getting everyone organised. Also Charles and Graham for the photographs.

Brian