6 July. Double birthday ride. 30 miles.

With a record turnout for The Chestnut Tree in West Wratting for both the ride (18 Windmillers) and lunch (19) it was just as well that the bar bill was to be shared between Deborah and Geoff who had both been celebrating their birthdays recently. Deborah claimed to be 59 (going on 39 really) but Geoff wasn’t heard to admit how many years he had clocked up; certainly a lot less than some Windmillers!

It was 3 groups led by Maurice who set out on a tour of the South Cambs, Essex and Suffolk lanes via Bartlow, the Bumpsteads, Baythorne End for coffee, Kedington and Withersfield.

A brief pause was made outside this gate when group 3 comprising mainly the e-brigade caught up group 2 who had caught up group 1 and so there wasn’t much to do except admire the gate and wonder what kind of palatial residence was up the driveway.

A brief stop was made by group 2 in Helions Bumpstead to ask a local lady what she thought of the local pub, The Three Horseshoes, which Ken McDonald of the 100 Parishes Society had recommended during his talk to the Windmill Club recently. She said that it was wonderful, owned by the village community and the chef was formerly at The Fox and Hounds in Steeple Bumpstead, so well worth a visit sometime. Rod commented that Andrew would have made a much better job of attempting to recruit said lady into the Windmill Club.

Baythorne End was the coffee / cake stop which was as good as usual:

Serious consumption of cakes at Baythorne End

….but Martin B wins the prize for the cake of the day

…whilst Deborah shows off her happy doggie birthday card

The way back via Kedington and Withersfield took us through more delightful lanes with big views over rolling countryside.

Back at The Chestnut Tree, the 18 Windmillers comprising Maurice, Jeremy, Victor, Rod, Deborah, Martin B, Paul, Ken, Brian, Geoff, Gareth, Roger, Nigel, Iain, Alan, Ric, Howard and Martin W were joined by Tom who had come cross- country on his mountain bike. All enjoyed an excellent lunch and sang a hearty Happy Birthday to Deborah and Geoff who between them bought a huge round of drinks. Thanks Deb and Geoff! Thanks also to Maurice for planning and leading the ride and well done to all those including Ric, Brian and Jeremy who clocked up additional miles by riding to and from The Chestnut Tree.

This is where we went: https://www.outdooractive.com/en/r/271845370?share=%7Ezwjuydse%244ossdpje&utm_source=unknown&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=user-shared-social-content

Finally, on a sad note, The Chestnut Tree is up for sale but we hope the new owners continue the same high standard of food and drinks that we have had the pleasure of enjoying in recent years, ever since Graham first recommended it.

Martin