Castle to Castle

This week’s ride took us anticlockwise from Castle Hedingham to Castle Clare and back. Castle Hedingham is Norman, built c1140, apparently ‘the best preserved Norman Keep in England’

What strikes me most about it, considering it’s age, is that it is still upright. This isn’t true of some castle keeps in England. A striking example is Bridgnorth built c1160 which leans at four times the angle of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and demonstrates how dodgy builders can be found at any time and in any place.

We went anti-clockwise this time on what was a perfect day for cycling. I selected the 1st group since this was going to be my first time out after a ‘challenging’ summer. If I was a bit slow I could get scooped up by the 2nd group.

Martin(2), Howard, Brian, Victor and Nigel provided a gentle reintroduction to 30 miles routes. I always find the miles go by more easily when you can chat along the way. The other thing that makes the second half easier is a BIG CAKE. The scones at the old railway station at Clare fitted the bill perfectly. Some members of our group even considered missing lunch. But later changed their minds.

The station at Clare was part of the Great Eastern Railway (GWR) whose terminus is still Liverpool Street. Many of you will have seen the impressive monument there, to employees of the GER who were killed during the First World War.

It was unveiled in 1922 by Sir Henry Wilson MP, who was then assassinated by two IRA gunmen on his way home from the unveiling ceremony. Next time you go, look for a smaller memorial to Wilson which was later placed adjacent to main one. He was the ‘father’ of the Ulster Defence Force. The next MP to be assassinated would be many years later, Airey Neave in 1979.

Next to Clare station is the priory, whose grounds we wheeled our bikes through. Founded in 1248, it is the ‘mother house’ of the Augustinian order in England. These are Catholic monks who get involved in local communities and also ‘contemplative’ nuns. One of their commandments is reading during meals, which might be Ok, but another is ‘fasting and abstinence proportionate to the strength of the individual’, which certainly isn’t. So I’m only up the briefest of visits, having finished my chocolate brownie. Lovely gardens though.

With a beautiful route and weather. The return leg was uneventful. Graham had joined the 2nd group of Keith, Deborah, Chris and Rod. We sat and once again failed to abstain in a quite a disproportionate way. Drinking beer, eating quite good lunches and enjoying the sunshine in a most un-monastic display.

Thank you to all the club members who supported me during my troubles. I’m fixed, now our attention turns to Iain, who has had some bad luck during his Brittany tour with Alan and Martin. We all hope that turns out OK and that he is back with us soon.

A really enjoyable ride this Thursday. Great route and a good pub so thanks go to Brian. Let’s hope we have a good autumn. We’ve got some catching up to do.