Nicknames for certain Windmillers began to appear a few years back. Some were short lived but others have stuck and Dawg is one of them – Deputy Dawg to be precise in recognition of Andrew’s second-in-command status under our Commandant Maurice. Hot Rod is another, on account of his high speed e-bike, whilst for a reason which shall not be disclosed publicly, or even via this blog, my nickname is the Right Reverend Holy Moley, or Rev for short.
This blog is devoted to our Dawg who despite giving up loads of his time to help organise rides, including this one, also had to raise a mortgage to pay for a huge round of drinks following this delightful ride in perfect weather around Essex lanes.
Setting off from the newly reopened Fleur de Lys in Widdington at 09.30, 16 Windmillers took part. Besides Andrew, the others were Maurice, Keith, Deborah, Howard, Simon, Alan, Geoff, Brian, Gareth, Graham, Martin B, Roger, Victor, Charles and Martin W. Ken joined us for a well promoted lunch.
The route took us anti-clockwise downhill from the Fleur past the quarry and then to Henham before heading towards Brick End and Broxted on quiet lanes except when a 737 was skimming the trees before landing at Stansted. It was a really beautiful day, one of the best, and it was tempting to stop at every turn to admire the May countryside.
The coffee stop was the ever popular Blue Egg which meant passing through Little and Great Bardfield and spotting the houses once again of famous painters such as Edward Bawden who eventually moved to Saffron Walden and lived in Park Lane. Here’s his Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bawden
Over coffee, Deborah told us about an awful crash that she and her husband Simon had experienced whilst returning from Suffolk along the A14 a few days previously. Luckily they escaped with minor injuries after hitting the central barrier when the air bags inflated. Phew! Could have been a lot worse and so Deborah was unscathed except for shock. A moral of this story is don’t sit too close to the steering wheel – air bags can be lethal.
The return leg took us back through Great Bardfield and then to Thaxted via Little Sampford before heading to Widdingdon via Debden Green and a bridle way from Rook End. Having warned us of mud beforehand it was a relief to find very little and so we were soon back at the Fleur.
Sitting in the garden of the Fleur on a glorious day brought back fond memories of previous visits and good food / beer. The new tenants are keeping up the tradition and so we all enjoyed a wonderful lunch whilst fighting for the shade and giving a hearty rendering of Happy Birthday to our Deputy Dawg. Thanks for the drinks, Dawggie!
And this is where we went:
A great ride / celebration. Thanks to all for coming and to photographers for the pics.
The Right Reverend Holy Moley
The Windmill Cycle Club 