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A large gang of 12 Windmillers gathered at The Pheasant at 9.30am for a 6th Anniversary ride which was meant to be around 30 miles in total. But thanks to the offer of coffee and beer at our leader Maurice’s house, an advance posse of riders cut the corner at Meesden and missed out about 5 villages and headed straight for Barkway. Maurice and the others followed, offering map reading classes to the first group. This is the route that should have been taken:The effect of the short cut was a delightful lengthy coffee stop at Maurice’s and a tour of his workshops and vehicles which never cease to amaze the non-mechanically minded Windmillers amongst us. It was good to see Linda looking so well and we are very grateful to her and Maurice for their kind hospitality. Maurice also showed us his archive file of almost every ride since the club was formed, who the riders were and the cash collected, not to mention his evil guillotine used for chopping our analogue maps into shape.

With an anniversary to celebrate, it was important to have suitable photographic evidence. This is the group outside Maurice’s house:

A stop was then made at THE windmill at Great Chishill on the return journey uphill to record the largest number of members ever recorded in front of our club symbol:

So, after just 24 miles, back at the Pheasant we were warmly welcomed by Ollie and joined by Vernon, Lynn B and Bridget whilst Simon slaved away in the kitchen preparing yet another splendid lunch. This was to be our last lunch at the Pheasant to be attended by so many Windmillers before Ollie and Simon hang up their aprons in early May, as Maurice, Andrew and Keith were planning a Cornish trip the following week. It was therefore an opportunity to thank them for their wonderful hospitality, food and drink since the club was founded 6 years ago. We all wish them a very happy retirement and hope to see Simon in his lycra on our future rides. Maurice has since presented them with a cheque for £250 from the club for their chosen charity The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

A huge thank you also to Maurice for founding the club in the first place and organising the majority of the rides, and to Deputy Dawg Andrew for his assistance in getting us to the various starting lines on time and also planning rides. In the absence of both of them next week, Sandra is in charge but might have an interesting time keeping us warm and dry given the weather forecast.

Martin

 

 

We started the Windmill Cycling Club on April 21 2011, it was a 25 mile ride round and back to the Pheasant.  I think those participating were Ken Worthing, John Tarrington, Simon and myself.

Some of the charities we have supported are Macmillan Cancer Support,  East Anglian Children’s Hospice, Cystic Fibrosis, Khandel light, MSUK and Cancer Research UK.   The total money raised has been £5481.

I’d like to thank the whole club for all their efforts and the new blogs that have built the club up to where it is today.  Big thanks to Andrew and Martin, Brian, Sandra (the three bloggers) and also to Simon and Ollie at the Pheasant.

I hope we have many more years of cycling friendship.

Best wishes
Maurice

In the initial absence of Maurice, who had an appointment with his dentist, eight Windmillers set forth from the Fleur de Lys in Widdington at 9.30am on a slightly chilly morning for a tour of Essex lanes, including what was soon to become known as the Dunmow walnut. Under the guidance of Andrew, ably assisted by John B who brought an Ordnance Survey map with him, the others comprised Keith, Vernon, Ken, Lawrence, Alan and Martin. Here is the route taken:

Zooming down to Elsenham we soon came to a halt down a dead end but retraced our steps and carried on zig zagging our way around Stansted Airport before trying out new lanes taking in  Molehill Green, Brick End and Little Easton before embarking on a scenic circuit of Dunmow to create the now famous walnut as shown on the above painful looking map, but better than a grapefruit any day. Then we experienced Dunmow at its most draughty as most of us sat outside Flitch Coffee and shivered whilst John B sensibly sat inside the pub next door.

Having completed the walnut by continuing down the High Street, we left John still warming up and started our return journey back the way we came via Little Easton and then Tilty, under the Stansted flightpath and through Broxted to Henham, except that by the time we got there we had lost Lawrence and Vernon. A few phone calls established that they wanted to see Elsenham again but eventually we all met up and proceeded on a detour via Little Henham to clock up another mile or so (and another walnut). But we could only manage 29.5 miles in total and so the landlord of the Fleur de Lys was surprised to see us arrive back before 12.30pm. However we soon settled down at our round table whilst the fire was lit and were joined firstly by Glenis Ryan, then John B and finally Maurice who had cycled from his home to be with us. Having been to the dentist, we expected him to have a wonky smile but he looked his usual smiling and happy self:

We were soon tucking into an excellent lunch washed down with excellent ales, and tea.

Thanks, Andrew, for reminding us of the importance of walnuts.

Martin

Another lovely Spring evening saw six cowboys and a solitary cowgirl congregate at The Pheasant at 5.30pm.  We split into two groups – Maurice, Andrew, Keith and Martin (cowboys in every sense of the word) in the first and John B, JohnT and Bridget T in the second (the respectable cowhands). The first group clocked up 22 miles and the second group 16 miles, with all arriving back at the Pheasant to devour succulent cod goujons and chips (well, all except Andrew who is on a diet) where we were also joined by Lynn B.

This is the route taken by Maurice, Andrew, Keith and Martin:

The U turn after Rickling was caused partly by Keith and Martin not stopping for Maurice and Andrew at Rickling Church, who had different ideas for the way home. So having eventually met up we U-turned and proceeded back via Clavering, Upper Langley, Duddenhoe End, Chrishall and Heydon. The setting sun was spectacular and eventually a stop was made on the descent from Duddenhoe End for the statutory blog pics:

Thanks once again to Maurice and Andrew for organising the ride.

Martin

With Maurice away, Andrew was to be our Routemeister for the day, starting us off from his place in Wendens Ambo. At least that was the plan, until Martin and John B phoned to say they’d join us down the road at The Fighting Cocks. It’s a bit like herding cats.

It was a fine, if chilly, Spring morning and bare knees were in the majority; 5 pairs exposed versus 4 pairs still under wraps, evidently abiding by the old ‘Ne’er cast a clout till May be out‘ rule.

Notable was Chris on a fancy new bike; although on closer inspection, we realised it was, in fact, Tom’s bike, Tom being on holiday and having generously lent his machine to Chris.

Then we were off, picking up Martin and John along the way, and heading out through Saffron Walden, Hadstock, Bartlow and the Camps – before stopping for a breather at Helions Bumpstead. Usually, when we say “stopping for a breather” we mean “Where’s Chris?” But Chris was there in our midst looking cool and unhurried, Tom’s bike having propelled him to the front of the peloton. We were impressed.

So it was that we spent the rest of the outing trying to keep up with Chris, chasing after him to Finchingfield for coffee, and then on to Thaxted and Debden, returing at last to the The Fighting Cocks for a slap up lunch and a couple of well earned beers.

Thanks, Andrew, for planning everything and guiding us around a lovely 37 mile route.

Brian

Taking advantage of the light evenings now upon us, four Windmillers – Maurice, Andrew, Sandra and Martin – set off from The Pheasant on yet another thirst creating cruise around the lanes, with cod goujons and chips also to look forward to at the end. The evening was fine and warm, almost knobbly knee weather all round. It was a nice surprise to have Maurice join us as he was expected to be boating in Cornwall instead. Here is the route we took:

Don’t believe the figures above – it was not dead flat the whole way!

En route we waved hello to John T and Andrew G in Nuthamsted but caught sight of neither, otherwise The Woodman might have beckoned. So on we cruised, stopping for a rest about half way in Brent Pelham where there is a very fine tree trunk carved to commemorate our Monarch’s Diamond Jubilee in the form of love seats which our Windmillers had to test out of course:

The return route via familiar roads to Langley Upper Green, Duddenhoe End, Chrishall, the sunset boulevard to Heydon and back to The Pheasant completed a very pleasant evening ride – may there be many more to come over the next 6 months. Thanks to Andrew for organising it.

Moley Martin

Daffodils, birdsong and Windmillers’ knees; it must be spring!

There were nine of us – Ken, Keith, Ric, John, Chris, Andrew, Maurice, Sandra and Brian – setting out from Steeple Bumpstead for a trip into Gainsborough Country. The early morning chill meant there were only four brave souls showing a leg but we took it as a sign of better times ahead.

Pausing for a photo at Toppesfield, we carried on to Castle Hedingham, where we stopped for coffee and cake at the excellent Buckley’s Tea Rooms. Back in the saddle, we passed through Maplestead, Pebmarsh and Lamarsh, arriving at the River Stour where we stopped for a quick one at the Henny Swan.

 

Then it was back in the saddle for the return leg, via Bulmer and the Yeldhams, to the Fox & Hounds, Steeple Bumpstead, where we lunched in the garden in glorious sunshine. Spring had sprung!

37 miles in all. Thanks, Maurice, for another wonderful outing.

Brian

A fine spring day, but quite nippy to start with, saw ten Windmillers assemble at Newmarket Station to catch the 10.05 to Stowmarket, or so they thought. With such a large gathering, would the driver allow ten bikes on the train? So five members went to one end of the platform with their bikes, hoping the driver would not see them, whilst the others went to the other end and showed themselves. Would it be a one coach train and might we get turfed off anyway for not having tickets, the machine on the platform being out of order? Might we have to abandon the ride as planned? The stress levels built ever higher but there was much relief when an almost empty two coach train pulled in on time, the driver smiled and we all piled on board. It also had a conductor, Southern Region-style, and he was happy to dispense tickets to Maurice at a special group price, except that Brian had bought his online the day before at the same price and proudly showed his e-ticket to the conductor.

The journey through the Suffolk countryside was uneventful until we reached Elmswell, the last stop before Stowmarket, when the driver announced that the train was going no further due to a points failure further up the line. Smugly, the Windmillers said farewell to the other passengers, the driver and conductor, alighted the train with their bikes and set off on a revised route that Maurice had quickly devised to meet up with the planned route at Rattlesden.

As well as our leader Maurice and blogger Brian, the others were Andrew, Vernon, Ken, Keith, Sandra, Tom, Lawrence and Moley Martin. Once we had discovered which exit to take at the nearby A14 roundabout junction, we were soon in Rattlesden and then headed due West through delightful lanes and villages, passing imposing Suffolk churches and timbered buildings too numerous to photograph.

After crossing the busy A134 at Sicklesmere, Maurice went one way to the coffee stop in Hawkstead whilst the others went a different way, witnessing a near pile up en route when a large lorry tried to overtake us, forcing oncoming traffic to mount the kerb. Thankfully we all survived.

Maglia Rosso is an amazing bike shop /  cafe, seemingly in a very remote spot but only 2-3 miles outside Bury St Edmunds. A former pub, it has been transformed into a state of the art bike depot, serves very good coffee and retains a beer licence – what more could a cyclist wish for?

Time was getting on and with thoughts of missing lunch at The Packhorse in Moulton we sped on westwards assisted by a strong tailwind passing through yet more attractive villages such as Chevington and Dalham. Tom, however, had a puncture just outside Moulton but pre-ordered his favourite buffalo wings and proceeded to break the club record for mending a rear wheel puncture in a claimed 5 minutes, witnessed by Brian.

We skidded into The Packhorse car park just before 2.00pm, thirsty and hungry, only to be told that last orders was not until 2.30pm. Phew! So, relaxation took hold as we enjoyed an excellent lunch and sampled some excellent beers around a large table:

A short hill out of Moulton to the top of the gallops at Newmarket and a fast downhill cruise into the town centre ended an eventful but extremely enjoyable day out in Suffolk.

Thanks again to Maurice for planning and adjusting the ride as dictated by Abellio Greater Anglia, and to Andrew for getting us to the start line on time.

Moley Martin

With the weather looking set for rain all day, some of us resigned ourselves to NO cycling this day and headed for drier places, for me this would be the office and dreaded paperwork!

Well this was not the case, as early afternoon came and an email dropped in my inbox – potential of the weather improving at 16.00, let’s meet at The Pheasant, Gt Chishill at 16.00 and see what happens. Could this be true, as the rain teemed down outside (even Storm Sandra couldn’t produce this kind of weather)!! OK, I’ll pop along to see if anyone else turns up. Much to my astonishment, 15.45 got in the van and headed to Gt Chishill, it was as if someone had flicked a switch and turned the wind and rain off just at that point, the sky cleared to make way for the sun and almost clear blue skies. Someone must have contact with higher powers!!

Maurice, Andrew, Chris and Sandra prepared for the off, (others were due to join in but didn’t see the weather relenting, you don’t know what you missed!!!). Where shall we go then? Maybe because it was such short notice that the ride was on, nothing was planned! There was an element of make it up as we go along and could we trust the weather to hold. So we headed towards Barkway and on to Anstey (so far so good), Brent Pelham, Sheepcote Green, Arkesden, Duddenhoe End, Chrishall, Heydon and back to a warm welcome and toasty fire at The Pheasant, the clear skies given way for the chilly evening to come.

Thanks Maurice and Andrew for organising another great ride, glad we made the effort!!

22 miles anti clockwise.

A large gathering of 10 Windmillers assembled at the Fleur de Lys in Widdington on a fine Spring morning to tour the lanes of Essex. Those present were our leader Maurice, whose back was a lot better than it has been of late, Andrew (Dawg), John T (fully recovered from his wrist injury), Vernon and his grandson Fergus, Keith, Ken, Sandra, Rod and Moley Martin. Here is the route taken, clockwise via Sewards End, Ashdon, Hempstead, Thaxted and Henham:

There was a fair breeze but as usual Maurice had allowed for this resulting in a fast downwind start to the ride and a good choice of hedgerow bordered lanes to minimize the headwind on the way back. Substantial portions of cake, for some, during coffee in Thaxted no doubt also helped on the return leg.

Spring flowers were in evidence everywhere with a particularly attractive churchyard in Hempstead full of daffodils, and yellow and pink primroses:

There was rather a long wait for Maurice in Thaxted whilst he stopped to take phone calls (not wishing to get 6 points) which provided an opportunity to assemble in front of the magnificent Guildhall in Thaxted, built by the Guild of Cutlers in the 1390s:

Then our leader arrived which ensured that the Pillars of Society were all present:

Was it the cake, the need for a pee or the thought of lunch and a pint at the Fleur de Lys but a veritable race took place on the return leg, including a charge up the final hill to Widdington won by Keith, hotly pursued by Ken. The Pillars of Society then transformed into Knights and Knightesses of the Round Table as they squeezed around the table for lunch, where it was lovely to be joined by Glenys Ryan:

Finally, although this was a fine warm day, only one Windmiller had the courage to display his knobbly knees throughout the ride:

Thanks, Maurice and Andrew for organising a very enjoyable ride.

Moley Martin

With service restored to normal, Maurice and Andrew back in charge and Storm Sandra returned to her box. The weather was perfect for riding out, the wind had subsided and the sun was shining. Suitable for exposing the legs (maybe for some of us anyway).

Five of us (Maurice, Andrew, Keith, Tom and Sandra) set off from The Pheasant. Tom having already cycled up to The Pheasant, telling us of his exploits on the way up, when you see other cyclists going in the same direction as you, what should you do? Catch them and pass them or use them to draft you along or a bit of both? Well, a bit of both seemed to be the case this time and for both cyclists!!! When they did stop together, they both commented how neither of them had realised how competitive they were!!

This competitive thinking must have rubbed off on the rest of us, because we headed towards Elmdon, dropped downhill to get speed up to climb the next hill, Tom took off closely followed by Andrew and Keith, my momentum took over and I went sailing down the hill passing Keith and Andrew closing in on Tom, only to have Keith come dashing past me in hot persute of Tom. Keith a sure winner there.

Racing over and the serious distance riding to go, we headed on a mission to meet Andrew’s latest addition to the family, Hector McDonald the adorable fox red Labrador. Charlie Bear keeping a watchful eye on this little mite. Suitably refreshed we headed from Wendons Ambo to Newport then on to Wicken Bonhunt, Arkesden, Duddenhoe End, Chrishall back to The Pheasant and a great welcome from Ollie, Simon and crew, as well as a warming fire, the shorts for an evening ride might have been a bit ambitious!!

21 miles clockwise.

Thursday morning and the weather was set fair as the Windmillers gathered at the Pig & Abbot. The prospect of free beer – rumour had it Maurice would be buying the drinks – and sunny skies meant we had a good turnout: Keith, Andrew, Bridget and John T, Sandra, Rod, Vernon, John B, Ric, Brian – and the birthday boy himself, Maurice.

Lovely landlady Pat opened up specially at 9am, greeting us with coffee and biscuits and taking our orders for lunch.

Then we were off! Maurice led the way via Steeple Morden and Potten to Waresley where we stopped for yet more refreshment at the garden centre, basking in the sunshine while we watched the staff hoovering the lawn (yes, really!). Returning to the saddle we passed through the Gransdens, Hatley St George and Shingay before returning to Abington Pigotts.

Arriving back at the pub, we were delighted to be joined by Glenis and Lyn B for a slap up lunch plus – of course – a big round of drinks courtesy of the birthday boy.

Thanks to Maurice for another great outing.

Whose birthday is it next?

Brian

Having had a call from Maurice on Sunday, to ask if I would plan Mondays route, as he didn’t think he would be able to make it (back still giving him problems). I had a route in mind, so with the evening daylight slowly drawing out, we would meet at The Pheasant, Gt Chishill at 15.30. Chris and Sandra were joined by Maurice, albeit taking it easy so as not to aggravate his back and smeared with Andrew’s wonder cure too, he would see how it would pan out.

Route discussions ensued and then the route was reversed to take into account the wind direction, not sure what this issue is with wind, we battled on regardless last week and survived!!! The weather was fine but with the threat of showers, thankfully they didn’t materialise.

19.6 miles anti clockwise.

Maurice ducked out at Duddenhoe End, leaving Chris and myself to tackle the hill back up to Elmdon on our own, apparently this is a hill the Windmillers haven’t gone up before but let’s face it it’s great going the other way!! Not much conversation on the way up, shall we say!! Well done Chris for sticking with me on that one.

We met up with Maurice again outside The Pheasant but a little too early for opening, so missed out on the Goujons and chips sadly. Popcorn and a pint at the Tally Ho instead. Thanks Chris and Maurice for joining me.

Sandra promised to be gentle to those Windmillers who were brave enough to turn up at the Tally Ho in Barkway on a gusty and potentially very wet afternoon. So it was just Chris and Moley who set off with Sandra on a blustery circuit taking in Therfield, Kelshall, Sandon (where a decision was taken to do the ‘short’ route, the gentle route being around 23 miles into the teeth of a storm), Buntingford and Wyddial. But the short route of 15 miles was finally lengthened to 18.5 miles by taking in Nuthamsted too, which made a pint of fine Grubber ale in the Tally Ho  all the more justifiable on our return.

Luckily the rain held off most of the way, but other villages in the vicinity suffered a severe drenching. This enabled us to enjoy the plethora of snowdrops in gardens and woods en route, which appeared to be at their best. Here are some in the grounds of a farm in Wyddial:

 

Thanks, Sandra, for deputising in the absence of our leaders and for leading us astray around the lanes.

With the wind howling around The Pheasant car park, Martin and Brian were inclined to give the day a miss. But Sandra, being made of sterner stuff, insisted that we mount up and follow her off towards Wimpole. Today was Storm Sandra!

Refreshed with coffee and cake at Wimpole, Martin and Brian sheepishly admitted they were enjoying the challenge. In the teeth of a gale the outward leg had taken all of 2 hours – but the return leg to The Pheasant took just 1¼ hours. Windy or what?

Maurice joined us for lunch by the fireside.

Thanks, Sandra, for leading the way.

With Storm Doris uprooting trees and blowing over lorries on Thursday, Andrew sensibly suggested we shift our outing to the Friday.

We were a foursome: Andrew, Ken, Laurence and Brian, setting out from The Pheasant and picking our way carefully around fallen branches. The wind may have died down but there was plenty of debris left on the roads.

At one point, Ken narrowly avoided getting skewered by a man removing a pole from the back of a van. And we also passed the great Alf Engers out on his bike. Otherwise the outing was thankfully uneventful.

Returning to The Pheasant we were delighted to be joined by Sandra for lunch by the fire.

Thanks, Andrew, for leading the way.

Is this really February?!

Unseasonably high temperature 13*c + would greet us (Maurice, Andrew, Chris and Sandra) outside The Pheasant, Gt Chishill for an interesting 18.75 mile circuit.

While in the car park and preparing our bikes, Andrew was telling us of a wonder cure that he’d found for his back trouble and suggested that Maurice (also suffering back issues) should give it a try. Well, initially Maurice declined saying that it was down to the cold rides we’ve partaken of late and a warm ride would see him right. With Andrew showing how subtle he is now after said wonder cure, befitting of any Yoga class! Maurice bowed down and agreed to a stimulating massage of the wonder cure, administered by Andrew with a wry smile on his face!

The route description with emphasis of ‘Down’ to Elmdon and ‘Down’ to Strethall in a bid to reassure Chris this would be an easy ride. Only trouble is, you have to come back up somewhere along the way. Didn’t like to tell Chris, that I’ve heard that Gt Chishill is the highest village in Cambridgeshire.

Well, we set off, Maurice as if his pants were on fire! Well, not quite but his back was on fire, the wonder cure had set to work!!

Through Elmdon, Strethall, Littlebury Green, some modest climbs but mostly downhill to Clanver End, where we stopped for a breather. The next stretch to Newlands End would be a dragging hill with a kick at the end, as well as into the wind. A stop at the top to consider a possible change of route, taking into account the wind, as well as an assessment of how the wonder cure is working (Maurice still on fire and now smelling like he’d been on a rugby physio’s bench for some time!!). We’ll carry on regardless to Duddenhoe End,  Langley Lower Green and Little Chishill, with the ever looming Three Hills back to Gt Chishill. The wind had eased a bit but would have enough puff left to help us up the hills back to The Pheasant.

Thanks Maurice and Andrew for organising another entertaining ride.

 

Thursday morning in The Pheasant car park and Maurice was running through the health and safety briefing. Today’s hazards would be twofold: firstly we should take special care on the busy A505. Secondly, we should watch out for any more bits falling off Andrew’s bike and take avoiding action.

Sure enough, we had only gone 500 yards and Andrew was shedding metalwork; nothing critical this time, just half a pedal. “Don’t worry, everything’s fine, just leave it”, he yelled over his shoulder. We carried on.

The A505 was indeed busy but, thankfully, we were only on it for a few minutes. Pulling off, we re-grouped outside Ron Charlton’s scrap yard, Andrew ignoring our jibes about trading in his bike for something more reliable.

We were heading north on a 30 mile circuit taking in Thriplow, Haslingfield, Barton, Barrington and Fowlmere. And blue skies meant we had a good turnout – Maurice, Andrew, Rod, Vernon, Sandra, Tom, Ken, Ric, John and Brian – ten Windmillers in all.

Stopping for coffee and cake at Burwash Manor, we sat outside sunning ourselves and listening to John bemoaning the price of their fancy Italian craft beer.

Back on the bikes for the return leg, Maurice succumbed to a puncture in Barrington – but this was soon repaired and we were on the road homewards once more. Returning to The Pheasant, we were delighted to be joined for lunch by Martin, Glenis and Marguerite.

Another delightful morning in the saddle and a good lunch in great company.

And thanks again to Maurice and Andrew for organising everything.

Brian

Yet another pleasant if breezy afternoon awaited the group of four, Maurice, Andrew, Chris and Sandra outside the Tally-Ho, for what would be a 20.6 mile excursion.

Great to have Chris back in the saddle after successful eye surgery. Discussions at the start of Andrew’s over exuberant decorating exploits over the weekend, thus sporting a back injury and of Chris breaking himself back in gradually and having chosen to try a few Monday rides before getting back into the Thursday rides, as Monday rides would be shorter and less exertive. Not sure where he got that information from! Baring this in mind Maurice quickly rejigged the route to be as he put it ‘A Flat Route’. Well, then came the description of where we were going -“UP to ”, then UP to ”, then UP to and so on”, the colour drained from Chris’s face, what had he let himself in for! We quickly reassured him that it was all metaphorically speaking and wouldn’t be that hilly!!

We set off into the wind to Clavering via Anstey, Meesden and Sheepcote Green, then we headed to Wicken Bonhunt, from there we took advantage of the wind behind us back to Barkway via Arkesden, Newlands End, Coopers End, Duddenhoe End, Langley Upper and Lower Greens, Meesden and Anstey. A moderate 630ft climbed in the process.

Thanks to Maurice for another great ride and Andrew for organising us all.

Yet another chilly Thursday morning with the prospect of easterly winds and snow flurries; cold indeed, but not cold enough to deter hardy Windmillers.

So it was that Maurice, Sandra, Andrew, Tom, John and Brian set off from the Fleur to explore a new route to the east of Stansted Airport. We were well wrapped up, lots of layers, and John sporting a black balaclava with holes for eyes; a rather intimidating bank robber chic look.

Thankfully, this was to be an uneventful ride – no breakdowns, no punctures – and too cold even to pause for photos. We stopped just once, at Great Dunmow, pulling in for refreshment at Flitch Coffee, which proved a popular choice with John as it was next door to the Boar’s Head. We suggested he remove the black balaclava before entering.

Twenty minutes later and we were on the road again, Sandra having put her head round the pub door had summoned John with a jaunty, “Are you coming, darling?”

The return leg took in the Eastons and Pledgdon on quiet roads and through some lovely countryside. Returning to the Fleur we were delighted to be joined by Martin, still recovering from a nasty bout of flu, and Ken.

Thanks again to Maurice for planning the day and Andrew for organising things.