Thursday morning saw nine Windmillers gathering in the car park of The Rushbrooke Arms, Sicklesmere, just south of Bury St Edmunds where, with the beet harvest in full swing, there is a distinct tang in the air from the nearby British Sugar factory as it cooks up lorry-loads of the stuff and refines it into Silver Spoon sugar. It makes for quite a stink.
Keith, this week’s ride leader, led us southwards away from the stink towards Lavenham and on to Brent Eleigh where we pulled in at Café Como, fast becoming a Windmill favourite given its fine selection of homemade goodies.
Not only is Suffolk beautiful cycling country but, if you keep your eyes open, there is plenty of history hereabouts worthy of closer inspection. So it was that our return route, via Thorpe Morieux and Little Whelnetham, took us past the memorial to the seventeen American airmen who died in 1944 when two Flying Fortress’ collided and crashed midair near Hitcham.
Later we pulled over to admire the fine 15th century farmhouse near Brettenham.
Back at the pub Keith bought us all a beer and endured our rowdy rendition of Happy Birthday. Top chap!
Thanks go to Keith for planning the route, leading the way and buying the beers; also to Simon and Robert for the many photographs.
The Windmill Cycle Club 