A Burns Supper is a haggis-based meal, accompanied by whisky, and held on 25 January to celebrate the life of Scottish poet, Robert Burns, 1759 – 1796. Alas, there was no haggis available at The Pheasant this year, at least not during lunchtime, so it was left to individual Windmillers to hold their own celebration later that day.
Ten Windmillers – Alan, Andrew, Brian, Gareth, Graham, Howard, Martin B, Nigel, Ric and this week’s leader, Rod – set off from The Pheasant for a very hilly 30-odd mile circuit to the south and east. Along the way, Rod took us on a short diversion to see a 17th century car wash. Back in the day, coaches and carts had wooden wheels with metal tyres, and in warm, dry weather the wood could shrink causing spokes to fall out or the loss of the metal tyres. To prevent this, they were regularly driven into water to soak the wood, while also washing the cart.
Mid-way, we pulled in at Poppy’s Barn, where we were joined by Geoff, who had popped over to join us for coffee and cake. Back on the bikes we made the return leg via Clavering, Newport and Wendens Ambo to The Pheasant, where we were joined for lunch by Ken and Maurice.
It was over lunch that Martin B showed us his new tattoo. Having a son who runs a parlour, he felt he couldn’t really say no. Martin joins Sandra in becoming, as far as we know, only the second inked Windmiller. Club members will be pleased to know that mate’s rates are available at Curious Crow Tattoo, Diss, Suffolk, and they do piercings too.
Thanks go to Rod for planning the route, leading the ride and showing us the wagon wash, about which there’s more here from the BBC.
Brian
The Windmill Cycle Club 