We’re nearing the final stretch now!
The team are bearing down on their final stop, the interestingly named Fish and Eels pub!
This has been a particularly long leg, so no doubt they will be ready for a “soft drink” when they land.
Hopefully Adam and Carol have got a round in ready for them!
Hoddeston
There wasn’t all that much I could say about The Fish and Eels pub outside of it’s name. It’s just a really picturesque chain pub, so instead I’ll focus on it’s location; Hoddeston!
Much like Shepreth it was a pit-stop village, but rather than for washing sheep, this was a place for coaches to stop as they made the journey from Cambridge to London. So not a million miles away from what the team are using it for today!
As you’ve probably guessed Hoddeston IS in the Doomsday Book, listed under the ‘Hundred of Hereford’.
I could talk about how William de la Marche was commissioned to build a Chapel in the town in 1336, or how the whole place was expanded during the reign of Elizabeth the 1st, but I know what you’re all REALLY interested in.
In 2014 Hoddeston got itself a Wetherspoons!
Situated in the old Salisbury Arms, the renovators got more than they bargained for as they uncovered some 16th Century wall paintings, which can still be seen in the bar today.
Hoddeston is also the home of Rye House Kart Raceway, which David Coulthard described as ‘The Silverstone of Kart Racing’. Now, whether was paid to say it or not I’m unsure, and to save myself from any accusations of slander I won’t indicate which way I’m leaning, but it’s a bit of a left-field statement if he wasn’t.
Either that or someone just made it up and put it on Wikipedia. I spent too long trying to find out something interesting about the Fish and Eels and now I don’t have time to fact check it!
In a first for the day, the bus timetable is also on Wikipedia, so that’s… something.
There are a number of notable people from Hoddeston, but none of which I’ve heard of (and I doubt therefore can hold a candle to Brian Blessed and Kevin Keegan) but Gino D’Acampo does live there now so if you’re in the area keep an eye out for him!
I’ve heard he likes a pint down at the Fish and Eels…
Right, with that out of the way let’s have a look at the latest total!
Drumroll please…
£12,926.67!
We are SO close to breaking the £13k barrier so please, please, please donate if you’re able.
Thank you again to all of you that already have!
I’ll be back with at least one more update before the Ride is over!