Graham’s photo of a happy bull munching on Spring grass brought back equally happy memories of long summer evenings sitting outside The Bull at Lower Langley having a pint. Passing it on this ride whilst it was locked up and empty reinforced these feelings but hopefully, it won’t be long now before we can feel bullish once again.
There were 14 Windmillers taking part on this ride around familiar lanes, the others being Maurice, Andrew, Lindsey, Alan, Rod, Deborah (who set off early), Charles, Suzanne, Lawrence, Brian, Jeremy, Geoff and Martin – another wonderful turnout. Most expected a continuation of the fine weather recently but were somewhat surprised when it rained unexpectedly, but not to the extent of getting soaked thankfully. Just a bit cold and damp which reminded us of the early weeks of 2021.
It was very quiet for the first part of the ride, at least for Suzanne and Martin, with hardly a soul to be seen. But shortly after Clavering, Charles arrived suddenly from behind, screeched to a halt to take a couple of photos and then Gazelled off at high speed where he met a traffic jam of Windmillers at the Starlings Green junction, all socially distanced of course.
It was a bit like old times as Andrew, Lindsey, Suzanne and Martin cycled on clockwise, a good distance apart but swapping around and having a variety of conversations which is what makes Windmill rides so special. (Do tune in to Planet Normal if you don’t already listen to this podcast!) In the meantime poor Graham was sitting in a bus shelter somewhere mending a puncture:
Back at Charles’s house in Chrishall, where he kindly hosted the charity box, a ghostly image appeared from a steamy upstairs window, stark naked, as Martin and Suzanne were depositing their fivers. And then it spoke, which scared the living daylights out of the two Windmillers. Was it the ghost of Chalky Lane spying to ensure that fivers and no coins were inserted? No, it was Charles himself leaning out of the window, baring his torso having enjoyed a hot shower and advising Martin as to the wherabouts of a package left for him by Maurice. Phew! That was the stuff of nightmares. Please don’t do that again Charles.
This is where we went:
Thanks to Maurice and Andrew for their organisation and to Graham, Charles and others who contributed photos – keep ’em coming.
Martin
The Windmill Cycle Club 