Windmills, cycling and flying. And all without leaving Essex.

We assembled at The Three Horseshoes, Helions Bumpstead. The French brigade were missing, but 11 riders were ready to go.  Brian had organised the ride and group 1 consisted of Brian, Howard, Paul, Victor, myself and Maurice.

We proceeded to Finchingfield in ideal cycling conditions and arranged for the usual photos. Group 2 consisted of Graham, Deborah, Rick, Geoff, Charles.

We stopped to admire the unusual round spire of St. Peter and St. Paul in Saling. Apparently this church is full of graffiti from 1556. Not much has changed over the years; carved initials for posterity, piss-takes of authority figures and idle doodling. A fine tradition always followed by the English when they have spare time. I think that’s why we have avoided dictators and revolutions. We just can’t take it all seriously.

Of course we have great respect for national monuments, but sometimes they just feel so good under-foot. And so it proved with the ‘ancient glacial erratic boulder of weathered sandy limestone’ located outside the church.

Coffee was at Andrews airfield where Brian had recently had a ‘flying experience’ sponsored by his children. Which reminds me I must copy my son into this blog.

Andrews airfield was built by US engineers starting in July 1942 and finishing in March 1943. It was redundant by 1945 with the planes moving to Europe following the allied advance.

Its most famous resident was an aircraft called ‘Flak-Bait’ which did a record number of sorties and participated in June 6th 1944 D-day landings. It is now preserved in the Smithsonian museum.

After 202 missions it has over 1000 holes in it from Flak. Its hard to imagine sitting in a Perspex canopy in this situation but first-hand accounts are available.

Worrying and quite bad for the upholstery I suppose.

Some of the posters however were in a lighter vein.

Another highlight was an extensive off-road section from Stebbing northwards back towards Great Barfield. It consisted of hard-packed road planings including at least two cats-eyes amongst the rubble.

Back at the pub we were all treated to a drink by Geoff who was celebrating, if that’s the right term, a significant birthday.

He looks rather well on it I think.

It was a glorious day by this point and after the usual singing we settled down to make the most of it.

And why wouldn’t we? Another great day out. Thanks to Brian, Geoff and all the other contributors to our club. Onwards and upwards.