Author: Brian Connellan

We had just completed Thursday’s ride and were back in The Fleur when we heard the dreadful news that our good friend and cycling buddy, John Tarrington, had died. John had suffered a stroke while on holiday in Spain and, sadly, did not recover. Our thoughts were with Bridget and his family.

Over lunch we reminisced and swapped John-stories. For one, he had a fine singing voice; something we only discovered last year when, over a beer after a Monday evening ride, the conversation somehow got around to Rogers & Hammerstein. John professed to being a big fan and, before we knew it, launched into Some Enchanted Evening. A few beers more and he’d done all the big numbers from South Pacific, Carousel and Oklahoma.

A very fit cyclist with a head-down-and-go-for-it style of riding, John was also known for falling off his bike more than most, to the extent of sometimes needing medical attention.

There were lots more John-tales: how he didn’t know how to put on a duvet cover; he was the scourge of countryside fly-tippers; too many to mention here.

We shall miss John – a much loved Windmiller and true friend – and the many happy times we shared.

With the hedge flailing season in full swing and the roads strewn with thorns, it was a miracle nobody had a puncture; not even Deborah!

Eleven Windmillers – Maurice, Rod, Ken, Nigel, Lawrence, Andrew, Chris, Geoff, Deborah, Graham, and Brian – had set off from The Sword at Westmill on a very cold Thursday morning. Maurice, astride his shiny new e-bike, guided us around a 29 mile circuit, stopping for coffee at Ardeley, before returning us all safely to the pub for lunch.

Nobody got lost and nobody fell off; a fine start to the New Year.

Brian

‘Twas the second day after Christmas – which probably explained the low turnout; there were just five Windmillers on Thursday morning’s ride.

Maurice had picked a new venue – The Three Hills, Bartlow – as our starting point. Joining him were Sandra, Graham and Julia (both had cycled from Ickleton) and Brian, who turned up on a particularly muddy bike, having taken an off-road route from Great Shelford.

Setting off towards Castle Camps and, with hardly a mile gone, Brian pulled up with a puncture; a thorn in the tyre, no doubt a result of his off-road escapades. But this was soon fixed and we were on the road again.

An uneventful seventeen miles further on and we pulled in for coffee and biscuits – remarkable value at £1 per head – at the Red Lion, Great Wratting.

Back on the bikes we made short work of the return leg to Bartlow.

Weather-wise, it had been an unusual outing; starting warm (for the time of year) but ending decidedly colder – so we were glad to tumble back into the cosy bar at The Three Hills, something of a gastro-pub, where we enjoyed a fine lunch washed down with a few pints of Woodforde’s Tinsel Toes.

Thanks, as ever, to Maurice for picking the venue, mapping the route and leading the way. Thanks too, to Sandra, who deputised for Andrew as communications manager.

Brian

Barely a week had passed before the Windmillers were back at Braughing, gathering once again in the car park of the Golden Fleece. Notable this week were Sandra, in festive headgear, and Peter the Birdwatcher, a new recruit who we had met last Thursday at Amwell Nature Reserve. Joining them were Maurice, Andrew, Vernon, Lawrence, Geoff, Ric, Rod, Keith, Roger, Nigel and two Brians; fourteen Windmillers in all.

It’s not often that we lose riders but somehow – and within minutes of setting off – fourteen became twelve as Peter and Brumme Brian, having missed a turn in Puckeridge, sallied off alone into deepest Hertfordshire.

It was another two hours before we all met up again at Church Farm, Ardeley; Brian and Peter having enjoyed a relaxing 9 mile cruise in the sunshine – whereas Maurice had cracked the whip and driven the others at pace to clock up nearly twice that distance. Brian and Peter were chatting over a second coffee as the main peloton arrived, looking distinctly warm.

Back on the bikes – and now making a special effort to stick together – we completed the 10 mile return leg to The Golden Fleece where Landlord Peter served up another excellent lunch.

Thanks, Maurice and Andrew, for leading the way (even if you did lose a few of us for a while).

A Merry Christmas to all our readers!

Brian

Maurice, Andrew, Martin, Graham, Sandra, Bruce, Roger, Lawrence and both Brians – ten Windmillers in all – turned out on a chilly Thursday morning to cycle from Braughing to Stanstead Abbotts and back.

Twelve miles in to this hilly 30 mile circuit, we pulled in for refreshments at the Ware Café. Locals looked askance as we commandeered and rearranged tables, stripped off our outer layers and generally got the place all steamed up – but the coffee was good and the mince pies were a real treat.

Back on the bikes we continued south along the Lee towpath, pausing to admire the famous 18th century Gazebos on the far side.

Further along the river we stopped again to take in the view at Amwell Nature Reserve.

Leaving the river at Stanstead Abbotts, we headed northwards through Hunsdon and Widford before stopping off at St Thomas’ Church, Perry Green, where we visited the grave of Maurice’s grandparents. Reflecting quietly at this peaceful spot, Maurice reminisced about Annie and Harold. Harold – who used to drive a steam traction engine – passed away in 1993, aged 101.

Setting off on the final leg, Maurice led the way through Hadham Cross, Barwick and Puckeridge, before returning at last to Braughing and The Golden Fleece. Standing around the bar, we teased Landlord Peter – who has ridden with us in the past – about not seeing him on a bike for nigh on two years. But he took it well and served us up an excellent lunch at the long table.

As ever the conversation was wide ranging; we were particularly impressed with Yorkie Brian’s knowledge of 1960s Formula 1 racing drivers.

Thanks, Maurice and Andrew, for planning and organising things, and for generally looking after us so well.

Brian

We didn’t go cycling; it was too windy! That said, Ric and Graham, being made of sterner stuff, did venture out on two wheels and met up with the rest of us at Balsham, where we enjoyed a hearty lunch at the Black Bull. Lawrence bought the beers; top chap!

Brian

Who were those grizzled men offloading bikes in the pub car park on a cold Thursday morning? Shifty looking types; maybe the Hatton Garden Gang? But then Sandra arrived and all became clear; it was the Windmillers, gathering for their regular weekly outing.

Eleven strong – Maurice, Victor, Martin, Andrew, Rod, Lawrence, Simon, Roger, Bruce, Brian and Sandra – we set off from Westmill heading south towards Ware. There was a wintry edge to the wind and various items of ski wear – mits, thermals, etc – were in evidence. Sandra, having cycled from home, was already warmed up and, together with Rod and Maurice on their whizzy electric bikes – set off at a cracking pace leaving the rest of us trailing in their wake.

Somewhere along the way we managed to lose Martin. There was some debate as to where he was last seen and speculation as to whether he had been distracted taking  a picture of some old church or other. But following a phone call or two – and a judicious short cut on Martin’s part – we caught up with each other again a few miles on.

Pulling in at our regular café on Ware High Street, we ordered coffee and some of us even had a mince pie. ‘ Twas the season, after all. Indeed, Lawrence and Brian were so impressed with said mince pies that they bought more and force fed them to Maurice and Andrew, who agreed they were mighty fine pies.

Restored and back on the bikes, Maurice led the way westwards along the Lea towpath to Hertford where we turned northwards for the return leg via Sacombe and Nastry to Westmill. Arriving back at the Sword Inn Hand, we were delighted to be joined by Ken for lunch.

It had been another excellent Thursday outing. Thanks as ever to Maurice and Andrew for organising everything.

Brian

The prospect of free beer – courtesy of Vernon – heralded a bumper turnout for lunch at the Pig & Abbot. No fewer than 15 thirsty Windmillers, back from a 31 mile outing, raised a celebratory glass to the birthday boy while tucking into Landlady Pat’s excellent meat pies.

Setting out from Abington Pigotts, we had visited Bassingbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth, Barrington, Haslingfield and the Eversdens, enjoyed coffee at Bourn Golf Club, and returned via the Hatleys, Wendy and Shingay.

Even the RAF had turned out to salute Vernon. Pausing for a breather at the top of Chapel Hill, we were treated to a low level flyby – a pair of Apache helicopters skimming the hedgerow. One even acknowledged our waves with a quick side to side waggle; it was quite a sight.

 

All in all, it had been another splendid ride on a lovely day. Thanks as ever to Maurice and Andrew for getting us all organised.

Brian

Thursday’s outing was a particularly hilly one. Starting from Long Melford, Maurice led the way around a 30 mile circuit taking in Henny Street, Lamarsh, Nayland and Boxford. There were 10 of us – Graham, Roger, Lawrence, Chris, Sandra, Simon, both Brians and, of course, Routemeister Maurice himself.

Iron Man Graham clocked up an additional 30 miles, having cycled all the way from Ickleton to Long Melford, where he arrived clutching a sausage roll and all set for the next 30 miles. We were impressed.

Nayland shall be forever imprinted upon Lawrence’s mind as it was here that an impetuous driver tried to run him off the road. There was a coming together of car and bicycle, nothing too serious, thank God, and Lawrence managed to avoid being spilled from the saddle. The front seat passenger, however, leapt from the car and berated Lawrence for, well, being a cyclist. Despite the abuse, Lawrence kept his cool. It was the offending motorist who came off worst with various vehicle parts, notably a wing mirror housing and fuel filler cap, ending up in the road. Just deserts, we thought; tangle with Lawrence at your peril!

Coffee stop at Boxford

Back at Long Melford, we stowed the bikes and drove to Steeple Bumpstead for lunch at The Fox & Hounds. And what a lunch; notable for the huge volume of dairy product consumed by Martin and Roger, both having selected the Cheese Feast from the menu. They each must have put away half a kilo of various processed curds; everything from Norfolk Dapple to Suffolk Gold. We must up their statin prescriptions.

Thanks, Maurice, for leading us over another delightful route. Andrew too for getting us all organised.

Brian

This used to be Maurice’s home turf, so for him it was a trip down memory lane; no map required. Starting out from the Sword Inn Hand at Westhill, we were on a 28 mile circuit of east Hertfordshire, Maurice leading the way around his old haunts, followed by Deborah, Andrew, Graham, Keith, John B, Martin, Victor, Ric, Chris, Roger, Lawrence and Brian. A baker’s dozen once again.

Along the way we stopped at Standon to admire the Old School House and the nearby puddingstone (you’ll have to look it up).

It was 22 miles before we pulled in for a coffee stop, this time at Whitehill Golf Club. Then it was back on the bikes for the short trip back to Westhill, where we were delighted to catch up with Sandra who had cycled out to join us. She was a pint ahead but we soon caught up and together enjoyed a hearty lunch at the big table.

Thanks, Maurice, for leading the way – and Andrew for getting us organised.

Brian

“It’s alcohol-free!”, choked Keith, mid mouthful. Maurice had invited us in to his Aldeburgh cottage for refreshments. “It was a bargain; eight bottles of Ghost Ship for a tenner – and now I know why”, he admitted bashfully. Much leg-pulling – of his good leg, of course – followed.

Mid-way round a 37 mile route from Framlingham to the seaside and back, Andrew, Lawrence, Roger, Keith, Ken and Brian had followed Maurice to Snape Maltings for coffee and then on to Aldeburgh for lunch. Along the way we had bumped into John Bagrie; though we seemed to lose him at coffee time. Strange that.

At Easton, we rode past Britain’s longest crinkle crankle wall. That’s a wavy wall to you and me; look at the picture and you’ll get the general idea. Dating back to the 18th century, crinkle crankle walls were cheap to build as they were made just one brick thin, they didn’t need buttressing and, no doubt, with the money saved the owner could treat pals to real beer instead of that cheap non alcoholic stuff.

Meanwhile, back in Aldeburgh and a few doors along from Maurice’s place, we enjoyed a fine seafood lunch before mounting up and heading back to Framlingham. Throughout the day we had been blessed with fine weather, good food and excellent stewardship, all thanks to Maurice. Thanks too, to Andrew, for getting us organised.

Brian

 

What to wear when the mornings are autumnal but summer lingers at lunchtime? The turning season poses a dilemma for the fashion conscious Windmiller.

It was a chilly Thursday morning and our wardrobe choices were many and varied. Bare knees were still in the majority, Ric alone opting for winter leggings, and Lawrence, sporting ski gloves, clearly wasn’t taking any chances. Then there was John B toughing it out in skimpy retro shorts and T-shirt; those of you familiar with the 118 118 ads on the telly will know the look.

So it was that twelve randomly attired Windmillers headed out from The Fox & Duck for a 30-odd mile circuit of the lanes south of Therfield. Maurice – followed by Ric, Lawrence, Roger, Brian, Andrew, Ken, Keith, Victor, Chris and both Johns – led the way towards Buntingford and thence on to Puckeridge, where we pulled in at the Something Lovely tea room for refreshment. No coffee for Victor though, as he set about mending a slow puncture.

Back on the bikes, we dodged the speeding traffic on the A10 roundabout and headed west towards Dane End before turning north for the return leg via Cromer and Sandon.

Arriving in Therfield, and with the pub garden now bathed in glorious sunshine, we enjoyed an excellent lunch while Roger – pint in hand – entertained us with his falling backwards off a bench without spilling a drop trick. He promises to do it again at the Christmas lunch.

It was a well chosen, scenic and mostly traffic-free route, thanks again to Maurice. Thanks also to Andrew for getting us organised.

And let’s hope we can keep the bare knees going – at least until the clocks go back.

Brian

A sunny Thursday morning saw seven Windmillers setting off from The Carriers Arms, East Bergholt, for a 34 mile circuit of the Shotley Peninsula.

Maurice – followed by Andrew, Lawrence, Roger, Ken, Keith and Brian – led the way eastwards towards Shotley Gate at the tip of the peninsula, where the rivers Stour and Orwell meet.

Along the way we stopped to admire Erwarton Hall, a 16th century stately pile with a particularly imposing gatehouse.  Legend has it Anne Boleyn stayed at the house and that her heart is buried at the nearby church.

Looking out from Shotley Gate we could see wind turbine installation vessels moored across the Stour at Harwich and – across the Orwell – giant container ships docked at Felixstowe.

Turning westwards for the return leg, we stopped off at scenic Pin Mill for coffee at the Butt and Oyster. Back on the bikes we continued westwards, crossing the causeway at Alton Water before heading back to East Bergholt for lunch at the Carriers Arms.

Thanks, Maurice, for another delightful route – and Andrew for getting us all organised.

Brian

PS: Here is this week’s caption competition . . .

Too many of us? Too noisy? Too much lycra? Whatever the reason, we were turned away from the Westmill Tea Room. We won’t be darkening their door again.

Twenty miles into a circuit of North Herts and the hottest Thursday of the year so far, we could have done with some refreshment. We’d had a lovely ride from Therfield, through Sandon, Cromer, Wood End and Haultwick – and we were on the return leg heading for Buntingford and lunch back at the Fox and Duck. We knew there’d be a warm welcome there.

Maurice – astride his natty new ebike – had led the way, followed by birthday girl Sandra, Andrew, Tom, Lawrence, Roger, Chris, Martin, two Johns, both Brians and new boy, Victor.

Arriving back in Therfield, hot and gasping for a beer, we were delighted to be joined by Bridget, Lyn and Ric – who had all cycled in  – and Vernon, the only Windmiller looking cool, thanks to Jaguar air conditioning.

Great company, a good lunch – and Sandra was buying the beer. Life doesn’t get any better.

Thanks, Maurice and Andrew, for organising another great outing.

Brian

Andrew, Laird of Wendens Ambo, had invited us to meet at his place for our regular Thursday outing. We were very pleased to see Ric for the first time since his tumble in May. Even more impressively, he had cycled to Andrew’s from Harston. Andrew and Ric were joined by Sandra, Tom and both Brians – Yorkie and Brummie.

Setting off, the six Windmillers made the long ascent up El Bastardo and on via Strethall, Ickleton, Duxford and Whittlesford to Great Shelford, where we pulled in at the excellent Deli for refreshments. Here we met Pam, Brummie Brian’s missus, who joined us in the garden for coffee.

Having already done 25 miles, Ric thought it best to not overdo things on his first outing and headed home to Harston.

The rest of us continued to Stapleford, where we negotiated the gravel trap at the Granary, and took the off road route to Babraham and Abington. Along the way, Brummie Brian, caught napping by the rutted track, took a spill and fell in a nettle patch. No real harm was done, apart from nettle rash. We have yet to find out if there’s footage of it on Sandra’s handlebar camera.

Despite the tumble, we were gung ho enough take another off road section from Hildersham to Linton. Along here we came across a woman leading a pair of working horses pulling a plough. Her name was Calixta and the horses were Comtois, a French breed from the Jura Mountains. They were working a market garden supplying organic produce to up market restaurants, including Midsummer House and Cotto in Cambridge.

Setting off again from Linton we took the return leg via Hadstock and Little Walden back to Saffron Walden and Wendens Ambo. Having clocked up 31 miles on a hot day, we were glad of a beer at The Bell and lunch in the garden.

Thanks, Andrew, for organising everything.

Brian

Yet another sunny Thursday morning saw nine Windmillers gathering in the car park of The Black Bull Inn, Balsham. There was Andrew, Yorkie Brian, Sandra, Ken, Roger, Tom, Chris, Brummie Brian and Keith who, following a YouTube crash course in bicycle mechanics, was back on his favourite machine, now fitted with shiny new parts.

We were off on one of Maurice’s routes, 30 miles or so, taking in West Wratting, Withersfield, Great Wratting, Kedington, Baythorne End, Steeple Bumpstead, Castle Camps and Bartlow.

It was in Great Wratting that we pulled into the Red Lion, an interesting old place with a pair of ancient whale jawbones standing guard by the front door. Inside it was cool and dark with a fine collection of brass and copper ware hung from the ceiling. “Cappuccino?” asked Andrew hopefully. “We’ve got coffee – or there’s beer” replied the landlady flatly. Thinking 10.30 am a little early for a pint, we settled for coffee all round. Served in the garden with a generous supply of biscuits, the coffee was good and – at £1 each –  supremely good value. We like The Red Lion; seemingly open all hours, it qualifies as a John Bagrie “proper pub”. We shall return for lunch at a later date.

Continuing on into Suffolk and enjoying the peaceful lanes around Boyton End, there was a yelp from Andrew, followed by some robust language. Pulling up sharpish, he declared he had been stung on the face by a wasp. It’s one of those summer cycling hazards; at least he didn’t swallow the thing.

The rest of the route was uneventful. Approaching Balsham we were delighted to be joined by Maurice who had cycled out to meet us. Back in the pub we were further delighted to be joined by Ric who had cycled up from Harston, his shoulder now well and truly on the mend.

It had been another fine outing. Thanks, Andrew, for organising things, seeing us safely around the course and facing down that pesky Mr Wasp.

Brian

Thursday morning saw Andrew and his band roll into Stapleford Granary to give an impromptu performance for Lindsey and her staff at the Ace Foundation. Having played just a few notes, however, Andrew was asked to leave the £68,000 Steinway alone and move over to the adjacent, less valuable instrument. Undimmed, he played some thundering chords, cheered on – or rather woofed at – by his biggest fan, Hector.

Having persuaded her spouse to leave the piano, Lindsey gave us a fascinating tour of the recently restored granary building with its impressive exhibition and performance space. They intend to open a coffee shop soon – so it will no doubt feature as a stopover on some future Windmill Club outing.

We did a little cycling too, though it turned out to be a very short ride for Keith. Starting from Andrew’s house, we had gone barely a mile when he pulled up with a mechanical problem, some spokes having detached themselves from the wheel rim. Even for Tom that proved too big a roadside repair job – so Keith was obliged to make the short walk back to Wendens Ambo, collect his car and go home.

That left Ken, Sandra, Roger, Brian, Tom and Andrew to continue on through Saffron Walden, Hadstock and Linton to Abington. Leaving the road at this point, Brian led the way over the A11 on a footbridge and thence on a cross country route via Babraham to Stapleford; a picturesque off road section of some 3 miles.

Following our tour of the Granary and back on the bikes once more, we made the short hop on to Great Shelford where we pulled in at Brian’s house for coffee and cake in the garden. Then it was onwards to Whittlesford, Duxford, Hinxton, Ickleton – where Ken peeled off to tend his bees – and Strethall, before the pleasantly cooling descent back down to Wendens Ambo.

Dismounting at The Bell Inn we found Keith consoling himself with a beer while considering whether to replace his ailing bicycle. We were soon joined by Ken – who was somewhat miffed at being stung by his beloved bees – and John who had done his own off road thing.

We enjoyed an excellent lunch while Roger and John regaled us with true crime stories from the Pelhams; by all accounts a pretty rum part of Hertfordshire.

Brian

Thursday morning in the Fox and Duck car park and Sandra was giving a safety briefing to the assembled Windmillers: Vernon, Ken, John B, John T, Chris, Roger, Lawrence and Brian. She would be leading us around a circuit of some 30 miles from Therfield through Sandon, Ashwell, Baldock, Weston, Cromer and Rushden, returning to Therfield for lunch.

There was a lot of interest in Vernon’s Quintana Roo. That’s not a medical condition but an Australian-made triathlon bike which he had shipped back from Australia some years ago. Like Vernon, it has been lovingly restored. Together with Roger’s Eddie Merckx, Maurice’s Claud Butler and Ric’s Mercian (more of that below) it joins our ever growing quota of vintage machines.

John B, ever the free spirit, opted to do his own thing while the rest of us enjoyed Sandra’s route. The day was dry and the roads were mostly quiet, though we did have an interesting encounter with a large tractor on a narrow lane. Both the tractor driver and ourselves saw the funny side; he pausing to take pictures of us pressed into the hedgerow and us taking pictures of him trying to squeeze past eight Windmillers.

We pulled in for coffee at the Delizia Italian Café in Baldock. Back on the bikes for the return leg, we caught up with John B at Sandon where we found him waiting for us on a bench. He persuaded Ken and Brian to join him on an off-road shortcut between Sandon and Therfield while the others, fearing a repeat of last week’s mudfest, thought it wise to stick to the road. John’s track proved to be pleasantly dry and both parties were eventually reunited at Therfield where we were delighted to be joined by Bridget, Lyn and Maurice for lunch.

Brian

14 June update: Three weeks on from his involuntary dismount, Ric reports that his shoulder is getting better and – crucially – his trusty Mercian bicycle is repairable. He knows this because has taken advice from the Mercian Cycles factory in Derby. He hopes to be joining us again in a few weeks’ time. Meanwhile he is becoming an accomplished one-armed gardener.

With Maurice and Andrew indisposed, it fell to Brian to find a route for Thursday’s outing. Starting from The Cock at Broom he led the gang around a 26 mile circuit south east of Bedford. It took us through the little village of Ireland; we didn’t see any leprechauns though there were some garden gnomes.

We were particularly pleased to see Rod, in fine fettle and back on two wheels after a long absence. He was joined by Keith, Ken, Lawrence, Martin, Ric, Roger, Sandra and two Brians; ten Windmillers in all.

Sandra – on a shiny new road bike – was somewhat dismayed that the route included an off road section, notably a rough footpath across a meadow and over a ditch. But it was dry so her new machine sustained nothing more than a light dusting. Others complained about  stinging nettles, which brought out a fine rash on bare legs.

Highlights along the way included:

• The Shuttleworth Collection of historic aircraft. We pedalled around the estate admiring the House and even managed to get into one of the hangers
• The fifteenth century bridge over the Ouse at Great Barford
• Willington Dovecote and Stables, built in 1543 – but the pigeons are new. It’s owned by the National Trust
• The Cardington Sheds; two massive airship hangers dating back to 1916.
• And, of course, the aforementioned village of Ireland, which is tiny. Blink and you’ll miss it.

Returning to Broom, we were joined by John B and enjoyed lunch in the garden of The Cock. This is a new venue for Windmill Club outings, a quirky place where there’s no bar and the beer is served directly from barrels in the cellar. John went exploring its various rooms and original fittings, returning visibly moved. “It’s a proper pub,” he declared, wiping a tear from his eye. There is no higher accolade.

Finally, we all wish Maurice – who is in hospital having some worn out parts replaced – a very speedy recovery. We hope to see him joining us for a good lunch – and eventually getting back on the bike – very soon.

Brian

Maybe it was just an innocent typo, but Andrew’s promise of a “sinning trip” was enough to tempt ten of us out for a trip to London.

So it was that Maurice, Andrew, Lawrence, Sandra, Tom, Yorkie Brian, Brummie Brian, Keith, Chris and Vernon met on a sunny Thursday morning at the White Water Centre, Waltham Abbey.

After a quick coffee, we set off down the Lee Valley, passing under the M25 and on through Enfield and Ponders End to Tottenham Hale, where we found a familiar figure lolling on a bench, his biked propped up nearby. It was Ken who had arrived by train and was looking to join his cycling buddies on the towpath. Now we were eleven.

There was lots to see along the way: wildlife – herons and assorted waterfowl – and all sorts of houseboats; everything from Thames barges to freefall lifeboats, serving as homes and workshops for wood carvers, tarot card readers and bike repair businesses.

At Stratford we took a diversion to view the Olympic Park and the London Stadium, home to West Ham United, before heading on to the Royal Docks where we stopped for coffee and cake at Caffé Fratelli. No scones here for Keith, alas, though he adapted to Italian pastries remarkably quickly.

Then it was on to the Emirates Skyline cable car which lofted us, three at a time, bikes and all, over the Thames to Greenwich. The view was magnificent.

Landing on the south bank, we headed westwards around the Dome, through the Old Royal Naval College and on past the Cutty Sark.

Given the warm weather, we needed little or no excuse to pop into the odd pub for refreshment; we particularly enjoyed the The Blacksmith’s Arms at Rotherhithe.

Back on the bikes, we headed for Tower Bridge where, briefly, we encountered the only heavy traffic of the day. Forming a sizeable peloton, we kept the taxis and trucks at bay and we were soon safely back on cycleways, heading eastwards on the north bank towards St Katherine Docks, where we pulled into The Dickens Inn for lunch.

Revived, we wound our way through the historic lanes of Wapping and Shadwell to Limehouse Basin where we joined first the Regent’s Canal and then the Hertford Union Canal, heading back towards the Lee Valley. From there it was steady going northwards, retracing our tracks for an hour or so and arriving back at Waltham Abbey around tea time.

It had been a superb outing; 44 miles in glorious sunshine. We owe a very big thank you to routemeister, Maurice who, supported by Andrew and Martin, had researched the route with a dry run two days earlier. We would be lost (literally) without him.

You can re-live the trip on Andrew’s recording. And there’s yet more pictures (excluding the most sinful ones) in our Windmill Club 2018 folder.

Brian