Climb every mountain

Bloody Hell, Keith! . . .

. . . was just one of the many oaths heard from the peloton as we crested yet another hill, Keith’s route proving quite a workout as we effed and jeffed our way up ascents totalling some 600m.

Oaths aside, it was a delightful outing as, blessed with good weather, each hilltop afforded fine views over the north Herts countryside. We were equally impressed with Keith’s choice of refreshment stop, the hitherto unknown Lolleywood Café, tucked away on Fairclough Hall Farm, just a stone’s throw from Halls Green.

Along the way Martin spotted this Commer Q4 lorry, a 3-ton, 4×4 general-purpose workhorse looking very smart in its AFS (British Auxiliary Fire Service) livery.

It most likely dates from the 50s and was used for various tasks such as hose laying and foam and water tendering on military bases and airfields. Many were subsequently converted for civilian use when the AFS was disbanded in 1968.

Other highlights included pulling up to admire George Orwell’s house in Wallington where the blue plaque declares he lived from 1936 to 1940. It’s just down the road from Manor Farm, the name he gave as the location for his Animal Farm.

Having clocked up 34 miles we returned to The Woodman for lunch and a round of beers, courtesy of Robert this week’s birthday boy.

Our thanks go to Keith – for planning and leading the outing – and to Robert for the generous round of drinks.

And – for the record – the turnout was 15 Windmillers: Alan, Andrew, Brian, Geoff, Graham, Jenni, Keith, Ken, MartinW, Maurice, Nigel, Ric, Robert, Rod and Simon. Well done, team!