A bumper turnout at Helions Bumpstead

A fine, if chilly, Thursday morning saw sixteen Windmillers gathering at The Three Horseshoes, Helions Bumpstead. Andrew, Brian, Charles, Geoff, Howard, Jenni, Ken, Keith, Martin B, Martin W, Maurice, Paul, Ric, Rod, Simon and Victor were there, all raring to go and looking forward to returning for a big birthday lunch with Charles.

Splitting us into three groups, Martin led the way out of the village towards Steeple Bumpstead and on to Ridgewell and Ashen, keeping to the southerly, Essex side of River Stour marking the boundary with Suffolk. There was some uncertainty as to whether the route had been devised by Martin or by Victor, each modestly claiming it was the other’s, but there was general agreement that it was up there with the best, 29 miles of traffic free lanes and fine views.

Near Great Yeldham we pulled in at Petals Tearoom and, as you can see from the photograph, it is quite the pinkest, most floral of tearooms; the sort of place you would expect to find Barbara Cartland, all pearls and twinsets, sipping Earl Gray in the corner. The service was lovely and the cakes were fabulous; we shall return.

Refreshed and back on the bikes we headed for Finchingfield, pausing for the obligatory windmill photograph, before turning north for the return leg to Helions Bumpstead.

Arriving at the Three Horseshoes, we enjoyed an excellent lunch and Charles, top chap, bought us all a beer while enduring a lusty rendition of Happy Birthday. Many happy returns, Charles!

Thanks go to Martin – or was it Victor? – for devising a splendid route and getting everyone organised. And thanks, of course, to Charles for the drinks.