The Windmill Cycle Club

On what turned out to be the hottest day ever recorded in the UK, 38.7C in Cambridge, nine Windmillers decided to venture out from The Fox and Duck in Therfield in an initial temperature of around 30C. But Maurice knew what they were letting themselves in for and arranged the first stop at his house to cool off and take it it easy whilst reacquainting members with his fine collection of automobilia.

The ride as far as Maurice’s house was very pleasant – a nice breeze along the ridge towards Barkway and then down the long long hill to his house some recording a speed of 34+ mph on the way with a strong tail wind. By this time it was only around 10.15am but once settled in, having cool drinks and coffee laid on by Maurice and Lyn, there seemed to be no desire to rush off………….

Having decided to eventually make a move, there was relief all round that we took a right out of Maurice’s driveway and not  a left back up the hill. At the first junction with the Royston – Barley road it was fascinating to see a machine stabbing huge straw bales with a fork and then transferring them to a trailer behind the large tractor – a stark contrast with the ancient old binder we saw the previous Monday cutting wheat straw for thatching. Here it is in action:

The onward route was planned to be Barley, Nuthampstead, Anstey, Buntingford, Sandon and back to Therfield but it only took as far as Shaftenhoe End to realise that this was a bit ambitious on such a hot day and so a revised route from Nuthampstead via Barkway was substituted, resulting in a shorter ride which got us back to The Fox and Duck by noon, at which time the temperature was touching 36C. Lunch in the shade of the garden and a cooling beer was a pleasant end to a ride that certainly got pretty hot towards the end.

And this is where we went:

Huge thanks to Maurice for tailor making the ride to the extraordinary weather conditions of the day and for his and Lyn’s kind hospitality – certainly one for the record books in every sense. Thanks also to Andrew for getting us to the start line and for the Strava pic of the ride.

Martin

PS. On the way back to Ickleton, Martin’s car thermometer recorded 39.5C at Ickleton  Old Grange.

A fine hot summer’s evening saw seven Windmillers assemble at The Bull, Lower Langley, for a leisurely ride around the lanes. Maurice led the way followed by Andrew, Keith, Simon T,  Charles, new member Nick and Martin. The route took us to Langley Upper Green, Duddenhoe End, down to the Wendens Ambo road and then up to Chrishall as far as the track through the woods to Elmdon.

There was talk of stopping at Simon and Ollie’s house in Elmdon but there was no sign of life and so we pressed on towards another off road section, this time from Elmdon to Catmere End, except for Keith who preferred not to shred his tyres and so we agreed to meet him at the Axe and Compasses in Arkesden.

The journey through the woods was uneventful thanks to the new surface on the bridle way and we soon emerged the other side to continue to Littlebury Green, down Hill Bastardo to the Wendens Ambo road and then up the long hill towards Arkesden before rejoining Keith for some refreshment.

It was on the return leg in Clavering that we stopped in awe to watch an old fashioned binder cutting a field of tall wheat, spitting out tied sheaves as it did so until it of course jammed like they always did. This resulted in Maurice and Martin reminiscing about the old days and chatting to the operator who was busy unjamming the  machine. It turned out that the wheat was being cut for thatching straw but the sheaves would still be stacked up to dry before being threshed. It would be interesting to know how the yield of this particular Maris variety compared with more modern varieties.

Declining the operator’s invitation to return the next day to stack up the sheaves, Maurice and Martin finally set off in pursuit of the others who had gone ahead, only to find that the Ms got back to The Bull first, Andrew and the others having gone via Meesden to drop off Nick but who arrived quickly afterwards. It was the end of a perfect ride and what better than to finish by sitting outside The Bull soaking up the evening sun?

Thanks, Maurice for planning such an excellent ride around our lovely quiet lanes and Andrew for the Strava map and organising us.

Martin

The corny sign above the counter in The Ferry Café at Felixstowe Ferry could not have been a better summary of this ride across Suffolk on a wet and sunny day. Who would have known that smiling Andrew was looking like a drowned dawg only a few minutes before Brian took the above photo?

Starting off from The Fox at Newbourne, betwixt Woodbridge and Felixstowe, seven Windmillers comprising Maurice, Andrew, Sandra, Brian, Graham, Howard and Martin, the weather was at first cloudy and dry but having driven through rain on the way over it was surely only a matter of time before it reached the East coast. And sure enough it did, just as we were on top of an exposed Deben riverbank before reaching Felixstowe Ferry. (This was the route we discovered a few weeks back when we had to do a U-turn as the ferry was not running and return to Newbourne.) So jackets were hastily put on but we soon pulled up in front of The Ferry Café to dry out and enjoy a coffee.

From quiet Bawdsey onwards the rain became more of a steady drizzle as we meandered through Suffolk lanes en route to Butley and Orford, stopping in Capel St Andrew so that Andrew could once again shake the hand of Saint Andrew himself, confessing his sins as he did so.

Another brief stop was made at Butley to view the estuary and then it was on to Orford for lunch in The King’s Head where we were greeted warmly by the landlord and Maurice’s friend Chris and his wife Judith who were holidaying in Aldeburgh. Much steam was produced as jackets were taken off to dry out, followed by an excellent lunch washed down with fine beer, courtesy of Chris and Sandra, whose birthday we celebrated. Happy Birthday Sandra!

After lunch it was off to Woodbridge via Rendlesham Forest, into the wind, but we saw some sun too. The group spread out a bit resulting in some reaching The Tide Mill in Woodbridge before the others, and Martin deciding to head directly to Newbourne due to an evening engagement.

And here is the route taken:

Despite the weather at times it was a great ride. Thanks as usual to Maurice for organising it, Andrew for getting us to the starting line on time and Brian for the pics.

Martin

‘Well rutted‘ would be a rough summary of Andrew’s route. Indeed, some say that’s a rough summary of Andrew.

Starting from the Fleur in Widdington, Andrew led us out of the village via Cornells Lane – a no through road that degenerates into a dirt track; easy terrain for a ruggedised Land Rover but quite challenging for cyclists. Before long we had shouldered the bikes and were picking our way around trench-fuls of mud.

The other talking point of the day was Graham, or rather Graham’s face, which bore the scars of a heavy tumble from a mountain bike earlier in the week. It looked terrible but he assured us it only hurt when he smiled.

So there was plenty to talk about when we pulled into the Blue Egg for coffee. It was here that Geoff let slip it was his birthday and he would be buying the beers. Quick as a flash we were back on the bikes and peddling furiously towards Widdington. Howard and Roger being the fittest – or maybe just the thirstiest – beat the rest of us to the bar by a clear 10 minutes.

Landlord Chris served us an excellent lunch in the garden and we raised a glass to Geoff. Happy Birthday, old timer!

For the record:

Roger, Victor, Andrew, Charles, Geoff, Simon, Chris and Nigel all clocked up 36 miles – with Sandra, Howard, Graham and Brian adding several more cycling from home and back.

Thanks, Andrew, for organising everything. We even enjoyed the muddy challenge.

Brian

What a day to choose to ride around North Norfolk! Maurice got it spot on with his weather forecast when he decided to choose a circuit from Fakenham for what turned out to be a glorious ride in perfect conditions. Assembling incognito in Morrison’s car park, or at least that was the plan, Maurice was joined by Andrew, Sandra, Keith, Brian, Ken, Roger, Charles and another eco warrior, Martin, who had borrowed Ann Worthing’s e-bike for the day. This was Martin’s first experience of an e-bike and he spent a happy day in eco mode, as did Maurice, marvelling at the speed, acceleration and range of the Trek bike.

This is sort of where we went, clockwise from Little Walsingham having first gone through the pretty villages of Little and Great Snoring on the way from Fakenham:

A few modifications en route meant we cycled to Holkham Hall from the southern entrance and exited on the western side before visiting Burnham Thorpe and then stopping for coffee at The Hoste Arms in Burnham Market. The views on the way were stupendous:

Note the sad condition of the Lord Nelson pub in Burnham Thorpe (bottom row) which we last visited 3 years ago. There was still a lot of Nelson memorabilia in the pub at the time which hopefully as been preserved.

After coffee we set off for Wells via Burnham Overy Staithe and Holkham but did not take the path parallel to the beach behind the pine trees as time was pressing, or was it the thought of all that seafood in Wells fast disappearing on such a gorgeous day? A windmill seen from a distance near Burnham Thorpe, which can just be seen in the poppy pic above, came into closer view over the marshes on the way to Burnham Overy Staithe:

Where shall we go for lunch? That was the big topic of conversation on entering Wells, minus Charles who had to head for home at Holkham.  Should it be The Wells Crab House where a group of Windmillers had enjoyed an excellent evening meal 2 years ago whilst on a 2 day outing to Norfolk? No, that was full. How about that pub at the top end of town or the one in the middle? Both sounded good but then a table was spotted on the good ship Albatros moored alongside the quay and the matter was settled quickly. The next hour or so was probably one of the most memorable lunches in the history of the Windmill Club. Words cannot describe the view from the boat as the tide was coming in, nor the conversation with the Dutch skipper who told us all about the history of the boat transporting horses during the First World War. These pics tell the story a lot better:

Note the Dutch pancakes, the excellent pints of Wherry and Roger, Ken and Martin listening intently to the Dutch skipper.

A quick visit after lunch to the Wells and Walsingham light railway terminus resulted in us just missing a train but we had an interesting conversation with the station master who, as Ken observed, looked more like a New York cop. Then it was back to Fakenham via Great and Little Walsingham but stopping at the spot near Great Snoring where John Tarrington sadly had a fall and broke his wrist badly. We held a minute’s silence in his memory.

Thanks to Maurice for organising such a great route and of course to Andrew for getting us to the starting line on time. Slapped wrists for those who didn’t obey his command to spread out in Morrison’s car park to avoid being caught for not shopping! And thanks also to Brian and Andrew for many of the above pics, and to Ann Worthing for the loan of her e-bike, and to Ken for carting it there.

Martin

‘Don’t worry, we’ll go easy on you’, said Andrew, prior to Martin commencing a ride again after an 8 week lay off. But being unable to make the start at The Bull, Lower Langley with Maurice, Andrew and Keith, at the apppointed hour of 17.00, Martin called the threesome at 18.00 from The Bull to find out where they were. ‘We’re at Strethall heading for Elmdon’, said Andrew, ‘Why don’t you head to Little Chishill, up the three hills to Great Chishill and we’ll meet you somewhere near Chrishall most probably?’ ‘Thanks a bundle’, thought Martin, expecting a nice level route somewhere.

So Martin set off and discovered the three hills were easier than expected. He continued towards Great Chishill and Chrishall, expecting to meet the others coming in the opposite direction. As there was no sign of them he called Andrew only to discover that they were holed up in Simon and Ollie’s house in Elmdon having a few beers and hadn’t let Martin know. ‘What b******s’, thought Martin, agreeing completely with the view of Charles on his first ride out with the Windmillers back in May. There was, however, an invitation to join them but Martin declined as he was already heading through Chrishall and did not wish to clock up more miles than necessary. Guilt then set in with the b******s, resulting in Maurice phoning Martin to say that Simon had very kindly offered to give him a lift back to The Bull if he could make it as far as Elmdon. But by that time Martin was already speeding down the hill from Chrishall and so politely declined saying he would meet them all back at The Bull. And that is what happened, both Martin and the b******s having clocked up around 14 miles.

It’s great to be back in the saddle again! And thanks, Simon, for the kind offer. I’ll take you up on it another time.

Martin

Thursday morning saw seven Windmillers set off from the Carrier’s Arms, East Bergholt, for a tour of the Shotley peninsula. Blessed with a lovely June morning, Maurice – followed by Andrew, Howard, Roger, Graham, Simon and Brian – led the way out into the Suffolk countryside.

Everything was going smoothly until our leader was brought to a sudden and unexpected halt, his chain jammed in the chainwheel. Dismounting, and with much effing and jeffing, Maurice tried freeing it with brute force – but to no avail.

We were pondering what to do next when Simon, reaching into his saddlebag, pulled out a large steel spike which, he maintained, was a tyre lever. Mmm, maybe for a tractor we thought, though some likened it more to a housebreaker’s jemmy. Whatever, in Howard’s capable hands it did the trick and – hey presto – Maurice was mobile again.

Our next stop was at Ewarton where we pulled in to admire the 16th century Hall. Seeing us at the bottom of her drive, the owner came out to chat and filled us in on some of the history. The Hall was once owned by Anne Boleyn’s uncle and according to legend, Anne loved the place so much she gave instructions that her heart should be buried in the local church. The owner doubts whether Anne’s heart is really there though during Victorian times renovations did uncover a heart-shaped tin casket in the church. This is now buried beneath the organ with a plaque marking the spot.

Rounding the peninsula at Shotley Gate, we paused for a photo with the cranes of Felixstowe docks as a backdrop.

Back on the bikes we made the steep descent down to Pin Mill for a coffee stop at the Butt & Oyster. We sat outside taking in the view over the Orwell and speculating as to what else Simon might have in his saddlebag. Maybe a lump hammer or two?

With the wind at our backs, we made short work of the return stretch to East Bergholt and lunch at the Carriers Arms. 

We had clocked up 34 miles, apart from Graham who seems to be competing with Sandra to make the rest of us look lazy. He opted to cycle the additional 60 miles home to Ickleton. Cor blimey, Graham.

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

Brian

With the promise of coffee to start the ride, 13 eager Windmillers gathered outside the Red Lion at Great Wratting. Something was amiss though, the doors locked and no sign of life !!

We were almost ready to leave abandoning the early riser refreshment when a Mercedes estate car came careering into the car park, scuffing the front bumper and then parking, hitting a post holding up a lean-to building, watching on anticipating the demise of the building and spilling the baskets that were perched on the roof all over the car, amazingly this was not to be, lucky escape there. Coffee would soon be available, courtesy of the young man driving the car, something had been lost in translation/organisation or clearly forgotten, I think it was more likely the latter!!

Quickly downing the coffee and ordering lunch, we set forth to Kedington, Hundon and Stradishall. Maurice leading the posse comprising Roger, Victor, Lawrence, Simon, Chris, Deborah, Howard, Keith, Graham, Sandra, Geoff and Ken. The pace was fair and the group had split into two as the call came out for the obligatory Windmill (Stansfield) photo opportunity.

We regrouped for a full team photo call at Hawkedon

As you can see it was yet another glorious day albeit a bit windy at times. Setting off again, it wasn’t long before the group was somewhat stretched out, some of us not getting any warning of a ford as we headed downhill at speed, missing the road route to the right of it and having to take the wet path, Victor managed to find a shallower path but as I was trying to avoid him, the only option was the deeper part which resulted in a rather wet foot. Catching up again, we were grateful of The Angel at Glemsford and the planned coffee and cake stop, well again something in the translation/organisation went astray and the cake was lacking, the Landlady was willing to head to the local store but we declined, perhaps thinking of our figures!! Simon though, took it upon himself to indulge us and while the coffees were being made he set off at speed and cleared the shelves in the store of everything sweet and gooey, returning only to find that no-one had bothered to think of him and having to get his own coffee, well done Simon, the cakes went down a treat.

On leaving Glemsford, we headed to Pentlow and the pace was still quite high, with the wind on our nose and the group got stretched out even more, leading to 5 of us missing a turning and doing the route below, while the others cut across country. All was well and we regrouped back at The Red Lion where we were joined by Martin, great to see him and hopefully seeing our jolly faces after another lovely ride, will aid his recovery. Looking forward to having you back riding with us again soon.

Thanks Maurice for another great ride.

Sandra

A warm and sunny Thursday morning saw twelve Windmillers turning out for a ride from Widdington to Finchingfield and back. Joining us for the first time was Howard who, having bought a car from Maurice’s nephew, had been given a hot tip; check out the Windmill Club! Howard joins our growing contingent of riders from Saffron Walden.

We were also glad to see Graham back and looking fit as a fiddle.

Picking our way through the contractors digging up the road outside the Fleur de Lys, Maurice – closely followed by Andrew, Sandra, Deborah, Ken, Graham, Ric, Chris, Geoff, Roger, Brian and Howard – led the way out towards Debden and on to Radwinter.

We noticed Geoff wasn’t riding his usual machine; alas it had been stolen while on a cycling holiday. But there was a happy ending – within a few days of reporting his loss the insurance company had stumped up the money in full. Geoff will be out on a new bike – same as the last one – very soon.

Arriving in Finchingfield, we found Bosworth’s Tea Room had closed, been refurbished and had now reopened as Winners Tea Room. And very good it was too, with better cakes and better coffee.

On the return leg, and just a few hundred yards from the Fleur, Roger pulled up with a puncture. What is it with that section of road at the top of Widdington? Roger is the third Windmiller – after Brian and Martin – to suffer a puncture there.

Arriving back at the Fleur we were greeted by John Bagrie and, rearranging the tables, the whole gang of us sat down to a fine lunch in the garden. It seems hardly a week goes by without a birthday and the associated pressure to buy everyone a beer. This time it was Ken’s turn.

Inspired by our recent visit to P&A Wood, Deborah had brought along a family heirloom. Written by her grandfather-in-law, Bryan Goodman, it was a boxed, gilt edged, two volume history of the Edwardian Rolls-Royce. Very impressive.

Thanks, Maurice and Andrew, for organising another fine summer outing.

Brian

Footnote: Riding home through Newport after lunch, Brian and Ric had to swerve to avoid a semi-naked man, chased by a policeman, running at full tilt down the middle of the High Street. Newport, eh? A little town full of surprises.

Thursday’s outing saw the Windmillers pay a return visit to Ireland – not the Emerald Isle – but a little place of the same name in Bedfordshire.

Setting off from the Cock at Broom, Brian – followed by Andrew, Bruce, Keith, Lawrence, Ric, Rod, Roger, Sandra, Simon and Tom – led the way around a 26 mile circuit very similar to last year’s but with some off road additions. What’s more it was polling day – this time for the European Parliament – and indeed we passed many a polling station along the way.

As last year, we pulled in at the Shuttleworth Collection to peek into the hangers full of restored aeroplanes before continuing on through Ickwell – surely one of the prettiest villages in Bedfordshire – Northill and the delightfully named Moggerhanger. All had polling stations, but all seemingly devoid of voters.

Venturing off road, we joined the Ouse Valley Way, now part of National Cycle Route 51, following the line of the old Varsity Railway which used to run between Cambridge and Oxford until it was axed in the Beeching cuts of the 60s.

Joining the road again at Willington, we paused for a photo beside the 16th century dovecote before pulling in for coffee and cake at Cardington Barns.

Refreshed, we made short work of the return leg – via Ireland – to Broom and a warm welcome at The Cock where we were joined by John Bagrie. Rod bought the beer – Happy Birthday, Rod! – and told the best Brexit related joke; something about the backstop being an item one purchases from the surgical counter at Boots.

While lunching we were very pleased to hear that Martin’s prolonged stay in Addenbrookes had finally come to an end and he is on his way home. The following day we also heard that Graham’s visit to Papworth had been successful and mercifully brief. We shall expect full reports from you both – but spare us any pictures.

We look forward to seeing Martin and Graham back on two wheels again soon.

Brian

A sunny Thursday morning saw eleven Windmillers – Deborah, Sandra, Lawrence, Andrew, Geoff, Simon, Ken, Tom, Brian, Maurice and this week’s birthday boy, Graham – setting off from the Henny Swan for a tour of the Suffolk / Essex border country.

Our first stop was for a photo opportunity at the Church of St Lawrence, Great Waldingfield, where we considered offering up a get well prayer for our pal Martin who is banged up in Addenbrookes Hospital recovering from a nasty virus. But on reflection, we thought it best to wait for pub opening time and toast him with a good ale.

Our next stop was Boxford where we pulled in at The Coffee Stop for refreshment. Still in Boxford and just a little further down the road, we pulled in again at Howard Watts’ garage and motor showroom. No Rolls-Royces or Bentleys here, but a fine collection of lovingly restored Ferraris, Porsches and E-Types – plus some less familiar models, such as the 1961 French Panhard. Howard, a friend of Maurice’s and a larger than life, diamond geezer of a character, was most welcoming, showing off his beloved collection and entertaining us with his many stories.

Back on the bikes, we took a diversion to visit Kersey; surely one of the prettiest villages in this part of the world.

Now well behind schedule and making best efforts to catch up, we were delayed yet again when Brian pulled up with a puncture. This was fixed soon enough – but not before we had endured Andrew’s usual sermon on the merits of Schwalbe Marathons.

One last challenge remained, the surprisingly hilly section around the village of Lamarsh, before we finally made the descent, hot and hungry, to the The Henny Swan.

Sharing a table in the garden, we enjoyed an excellent lunch plus several beers courtesy of Graham. We’ll be thinking of him next Thursday when he’s having his wiring checked out at Papworth. Good luck, Graham.

We also raised a glass to Martin, wishing him a speedy recovery and looking forward to seeing him out on the bike again soon.

Thanks, as ever, to Maurice and Andrew for organising things.

Brian

Windmill Club photo album 2019

Windmill Club photo album 2018

Thursday morning saw eight Windmillers – Brian, Bruce, Deborah, Ken, Maurice, Roger, Sandra, plus birthday boy, Andrew – gathering in the car park of the Fleur de Lys.

Maurice had planned a special treat – a tour of P&A Wood, the local Rolls-Royce dealership. With much anticipation we headed out of Widdington, down the hill towards Henham and thence to Great Easton to look at some fancy motor cars.

We received a warm welcome at P&A Wood and they gave us the run of the place for as long as we liked. Wandering around the various workshops and showrooms, we were particularly taken with heritage models such as a 1912 Silver Ghost. A snip at £2 million, Maurice looked tempted but, alas, his barns are full.

Thankfully, the current range is more affordable, with some models going for as little as half a million quid. Once again, some were tempted but – could you fit a bike rack?

Having passed a very enjoyable hour, it was time to move on and, saddling up, we headed for  Thaxted where we pulled in for coffee (and cake for Deborah) at Parrishes. The stop was timely as, once inside, the heavens opened and there was a 20 minute downpour. Maurice’s timing is uncanny.

Back on the bikes, the sun came out to dry the roads and an hour or so later we arrived back at The Fleur where we were joined for lunch by Keith.Andrew bought the beers – and a bottle of wine to boot – top chap. Happy Birthday, old timer.Thanks, Maurice, for another great outing.

Brian

PS – There’s more photos in our 2019 album here. And our 2018 album is here. Please feel free to upload your own photos.

Having gathered at The Red House at Longstowe this also proved to be a tour of windmills for the above 14 Windmillers including new boy Charles who lives in Chrishall. Welcome, Charles, even though he called us a bunch of old b******s! Clearly, he summed us up quickly and accurately. Setting off at the early hour of 9.00am, or thereabouts, the group headed firstly up the busy A1198 as far as the Bourn turning after which all was peace and quiet.

This is where we went:

The first windmill was spotted tucked away behind some trees in Kingston, so tucked away that it doesn’t seem to be listed on a Wikipedia list of Cambridgeshire windmills, but here it is all the same:

Shortly afterwards we crossed the Meridian Line with its attractive marker, unveiled by Sir Martin Rees, The Astronomer Royal, on New Year’s Eve 2000. Hopefully there were fireworks too.

Maurice always likes to sort the men from the boys with an early hill and he didn’t disappoint when offering us a steep ascent out of Haslingfield towards Barrington, but probably not quite as steep or long as the hill coming the other way from Barrington which we were able to cruise down at speed. Then it was through Shepreth and right towards Orwell where you could almost smell the coffee at Wimpole Hall.

Coffee at Wimpole Hall is always a delight except for the system which does not seem able to cope with a sudden onslaught of customers, despite the number of staff on duty. However, there were two queues this time which was better unless you were in the queue on the right! That was the more dangerous queue too with its large choice of cakes and buns on display.

Leaving the grounds in a westerly direction afforded a wonderful view of Wimpole Hall bathed in sun on what was a lovely spring day:

Then we continued through quiet lanes to Croydon and  Hatley St George before turning north towards the Gransdens and more windmills for those who chose the blue route shown on Maurice’s map above. Victor, Charles and Simon O decided to continue on the red route.

Great Gransden Mill dates from 1614 and is a fine example of rural engineering. Restored in 1982 / 83 it is still in great condition but minus its sails.

By this time there were thoughts of beer and lunch back at The Red House but that didn’t stop a few Windmillers, those who show true respect to windmills, from stopping and admiring at close quarters the very attractive Bourn Windmill, set back from the road up a path. So whilst Simon T, Mike and Martin got chatting to the nice lady in the adjacent Mill Cottage, who offered to show us around the mill on a future occasion, the others decided to head back and quench their thirsts.

Finally, most gathered for lunch back at The Red House, including Ken who had hoped to catch up with us at Wimpole, and very good it was too although two of us subsequently wondered about the ham and egg mayo sandwich due to some after effects. It might have been the Belhaven!

Ric and Sandra clocked up much longer distances having cycled from their homes. Well done both.

Thanks to Maurice for a great route and to Andrew for getting us to the start point.

Martin

Having passed the Woodman in Nuthampstead the previous Monday and found it open Deputy Dawg Andrew decided to arrange a cycle ride from The Woodman as they are now open on Mondays !!

Two cycling sorties left at different times. The first Sortie led by Andrew with Simon Oughton, Mike Barker and Mike (Mike Barker’s buddie( AKA The Two Mikes)

Second Sortie led by John Bargie with Lyn Bagrie and Bridget Tarrington – good to see the fair ladies back in the saddle for Mondays ride.

Andrew’s group completed 19.76 miles in 1hr 52m  leaving Nuthampstead east heading towards the sharp hill at Little Chishill, onwards passed the rally school and one of our favorite pubs The Bull in Lower Langley with Simons bike rattling over every bump we stopped for grease monkey Andrew to investigate. The investigation revealed that a front mudguard stay had become detached from the forks and if not corrected could have gone through the spokes catapulting Simon onto the road. With the aid of an allen key Simon was back in the saddle again.

Our route took us up the Roast Green passed Kell’s daughters house and down to the two Windmills where the flack began !!!  All four cyclists were enjoying the downhill section to Starling Green single file, when out of the blue a white transit van shot passed us at breakneck speed and swerved towards us in a very aggressive manner. Andrew was in the lead and expected it to be the typical White Van Man angry builder, however he was shocked to observe on the back door ‘—— Cycles’.

Not only has a van bearing the name of —– Cycles passed us before on a Monday evening at great speed but this is now the fourth time it has happened. Maurice plans to visit the shop shortly and make the owner aware of our concern.

Composing ourselves we continued up the quiet lane to Starlings Green onward to Brent Pelham and for the first time climbed up the concrete road to Whitebarns Farm with stunning views of the contryside and Furneux Pelham passing the church with the Time Flies Mind your Business on the tower.

We stopped briefly in Little Hormead where Andrew chatted to his Farrier. Next village to pass was Great Hormead  and onward to Anstey where the church bells were ringing somewhat I think out of tune or time ( I hope Two Scones Keith wasn’t suffering from a hangover as the sound would have been unbearable)

Finally three of the four took the twisty twiney road back to The Woodman while Mike Barker sped off taking the slightly longer route to the village.

Sortie 1 was delighted to see John, Lyn & Bridget comfortably propping up the bar and enjoying Stu’s hospitality.

In summary,  a lovely spring Monday evening ride slightly marred by ——- Cycles dangerous riving.

Andrew

Framlingham was to be the start and finish of this delightful ride through Suffolk lanes, but not without an unexpected turn of events. Meeting first in a car park but then heading for The Crown Hotel in the centre of town for a coffee before setting off, Maurice (now Saint Maurice for reasons which shall be explained later) led the way followed by Andrew, Sandra, Ken, Ric, Brian, Tom, Chris, Graham, Mike (a friend of Maurice’s who lives in London and Aldeburgh who we hope we’ll see again) and Martin. This is where we went, clockwise:

Heading out of town we were soon treated to a spectacular view of Framlingham Castle, constructed in the late 12th century by the Bigods, a wealthy Norman family. But despite its design which was meant to withstand long sieges it was captured by King John in 1215, even though he and the Bigods had been best mates and had dined together in 1213. However, they must have made up as the castle was later restored to the Bigods but by the end of the 13th century it was decommissioned and became a luxurious home of the dukes of Norfolk for over 400 years before falling into disrepair. It has been used since as a County Court and by what appears to be a division of Dad’s Army during the second world war to resist a potential German invasion. It is now owned by English Heritage.

There was a strong wind blowing inland from the North Sea but we proceeded steadily through winding lanes, sand strewn at times, and past great seas of plastic covering crops such as carrots, onions and asparagus. We saw very few vehicles of any kind even when crossing the A12.

The smell of the sea got stronger as we entered Thorpeness, familar terrritory for Ken as a place to entertain the grandchildren on holiday. Thorpeness was the dream of wealthy Scottish barrister Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie. The idea for the lake, or Meare, which is never more than 3 feet deep, was sparked by one of Ogilvie’s close friends, J.M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan, who knew the barrister well, and it was Barrie’s tales of the Neverland that inspired him to create the Meare complete with the Pirate’s Lair, Wendy’s Home, and Captain’s House. An eagle-eyed grandchild might even spot a crocodile in between the trees.

By this time, thoughts of the promised brunch ‘n’ beer in Aldeburgh began to take charge and so it was heads down into what was now a strong sea breeze, on the nose, as we cycled south with the sea and Maggi Hambling’s iconic Scallop sculpture on the beach to our left and marshes on our right – a great sight and seemingly always wind blown. Parking our bikes outside Maurice’s cottage we learnt that the Adnam’s shop had run out of beer but at 11.30am it was a bit early anyway and so we settled down to what turned out to be an excellent brunch in the nearby Aldeburgh Market Café, which Maurice had reserved, where an assortment of poached eggs, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, kedgeree and kippers were devoured, accompanied by excellent coffee. Definitely a place to revisit.

The homeward leg took us out of Aldeburgh along a bike path and then past Aldeburgh Golf Club with its 18 and 9 hole courses, the latter having wonderful views of the Alde Estuary leading up to Snape. Which is where we were heading but via Maurice’s favourite off road, sandy and sometimes boardwalk track through the woods and across wet and muddy marshes. All was going well until Andrew issued a loud **** as his bike ground to a sudden stop, luckily without throwing him off. His experience of balancing on water skis clearly came in handy. Unfortunately a tiny twig had flipped up into his chain and gears jamming the whole lot together and resulting in the bottom chain wheel and derailleur bracket snapping off completely, a repeat of what had happen a couple of years ago. Luckily, Tom was once again available with his chain shortening gadget and having donned surgical gloves he was soon at work carrying out a major operation to convert Andrew’s bike once again into a fixie. All this seemed to take less time than mending an average Windmiller’s puncture.

All was fine except for one thing. Andrew discovered the next day that he had left behind a key piece of cabling without which it would be difficult to carry out a full repair. Result – call Maurice, still in Aldeburgh, who offered to cycle back to the spot deep in the woods where the breakdown happened and, hey presto, he found the part! So, arise Saint Maurice, you’re a real Saint, and when you eventually get to heaven there’ll be an e-bike waiting for you! RHM has arranged it.

Andrew’s fixie gear had him spinning away like crazy but it was a good gear for negotiating a path down to the River Alde and up towards Snape. The views across the estuary with reeds swaying in the wind were breathless.

The final stretch from Snape took us to Campsea Ashe, across the A12 again (this time on a bridge) and through to Easton where thirsts and appetites were once again taken care of, this time by the friendly staff of The White Horse who said they could oblige with sandwiches even though we arrived on the stroke of 2.30pm when the kitchen normally closes. And good food and beer it was too – definitely another place to revisit, perhaps on a Tuesday when a special Malaysian menu is offered.

Finally, we cycled past the famous crinkle crankle wall surrounding Easton Hall Estate, thought to be the longest such wall in the country, designed for both strength and economy of construction.

The pro-Remain crinkle crankle wall in Easton

After 37 miles we were back in Framlingham and most were happy to get in their cars and return home but not Graham. What was another 70+ miles he thought? With Sandra edging ever closer to his current mileage of around 2,200 so far this year Graham decided that adding another 70 was a good way of keeping ahead, even if it did mean getting home at around 8.00pm! Well done, Graham. You are both an inspiration to us all. Correction! It was Sandra who was just ahead of Graham. Ed.

Many thanks to Saint Maurice for planning a great ride, Andrew for organising us and Brian for the map and several of the pics.

Martin aka RHM (Rev’d Holy Moley)

And a swift half it was too as seven Windmillers piled gleefully into The Woodman in Nuthampstead on this warm Bank Holiday evening having noticed that it was open, which was unusual for a Monday. The even better news was that it might open on Mondays in future too. And more good news came from Simon who said that he had persuaded his family of stoats to leave the Stoatel in his attic, but leaving behind the rotting carcasses of consumed rabbits and not paying their bill.

This made up for a somewhat sombre start to the ride as Andrew, Lindsey, Ken, Ann (on her sporty e-bike), Sandra, Simon and Martin gathered outside The Bull in Lower Langley at 5.00pm looking forward to a pleasant ride around the lanes followed by refreshment back at The Bull. But, alas, it was not to be. A sign outside said the pub had shut at 4.00pm and would re-open at 8.00pm which would have meant a 30 mile ride and that was not the plan.

The revised plan, once we got to The Woodman, was to have a swift half there followed by more swift halves in other pubs passed en route that we are not usually tempted to enter. It was a Bank Holiday after all, but all good plans go astray. This is where we went hunting:

Just before the 8 mile mark The Blind Fiddler came into view in Anstey and there were people sitting outside! Ah ha, thought those at the back of the ride but those at the front had already whizzed past and so the opportunity was lost. At the 10 mile mark in Great Hormead The Three Tuns also had people sitting outside enjoying the evening sun. This time thirsts were more apparent all round and so up the path we went only to be accosted by the landlord saying he was closing but that there was another pub ‘about a mile away’. However, our route did not pass another pub and so we proceeded to Furneux Pelham and stopped to admire the church and surrounding houses.

Then it was a left turn down a familar bone shattering concrete track towards Starlings Green and the outskirts of Clavering before heading back to The Bull at Langley Lower Green. With only a solitary swift half consumed and with many pubs seemingly closed or sold out after the record breaking temperatures over the Easter weekend, Andrew phoned around and discovered that The Pheasant in Great Chishill was open. So he, Lindsey, Ken, Ann and Sandra headed off there, Sandra having peeled off earlier to take a more direct route.

Thanks to Andrew for planning the route and enabling us to shed a few Easter Egg calories.

Martin

Thank God for Strava and similar apps. These may be part of the world of Big Brother, knowing exactly where we are at any point in time, but without these natty apps how could we possibly recall where we had been on this glorious Spring day, other than asking Maurice to resort to an Ordnance Survey map and a highlighter pen? Instead, with a couple of clicks we have the record immediately the ride is over. The wonders of modern science. So thanks to Brian for his Strava record of how we dutifully followed Maurice through his home territory of endless quiet lanes and along river banks. This was where we went:

Starting from The Golden Fleece at 9.15am, having placed our lunch orders, Maurice led the way clockwise followed by 10 other Windmillers – Sandra, Keith, Ken, Brian, Roger, Tom, Chris, Lawrence, Simon and Martin. It wasn’t long before we were going over fords or through them as we sauntered through very quiet lanes on this very warm day.

Conversation on our rides is always very varied, no less so on this ride when Simon told us about a problem he had with a stoat which had taken to killing rabbits and hauling them over his conservatory roof, making quite a racket whilst he was trying to read the paper in peace and quiet, and into his attic space where a gourmet meal was clearly then enjoyed by the family of stoats in the restaurant of the ‘Stoatel’. But instead of clearing away the remains, and choosing not to eat ears for some reason, the stoat left behind rotting carcasses of his / her kills, causing more discomfort for Simon. More anon no doubt.

Shortly after crossing Barwick Ford and ascending a steep hill, we came across a vintage sprayer and it’s operator, a local farmer who had built it many years ago. Tom was in his element chatting to him and learning of its pedigree – an old Bedford TK lorry which the farmer had converted into a fine looking machine, a bit outdated by modern standards apparently but clearly suitable for the farmer’s needs.

Tom deep in conversation about spraying with the owner of this fine vintage sprayer based on a Bedford TK

There were thoughts of coffee around the 15 mile mark but Ware was the destination via the Amwell Nature Reserve and the towpath alongside the River Lea. The water level was lower than usual which should encourage waders. Cormorants were busy building their nests in many places.

Coffee and cakes were consumed in our usual Italian café in Ware, after which we set off along the river path again towards Hertford. But we hadn’t gone far when Brian put in his entry for the Involuntary Dismount prize of 2019 by achieving a notable

whilst negotiating a barrier on the path at zero speed still clipped into his pedals. Luckily he seemed to escape with only a minor scratch.

The views along the River Lea towards Hertford are quite spectacular but we were soon climbing up the steep hill, having skirted the town, towards Dane End and back to Braughing, enjoying quiet lanes the whole way.

Back at The Golden Fleece it was good to be met by Andrew, just back from his Scottish trip cycling with Don Kent, and John Bagri also joined us having cycled around similar lanes. It was so hot, almost unbearably so, that some wished we had eaten the excellent lunch inside.

Thanks to Maurice for guiding us around his ‘own’ lanes once again. It’s always a big treat. And thanks to Andrew for organising us from a distance to ensure we got there on time.

Martin

“Mmmm,” pondered Martin, a replacement inner tube in each hand, one with three old repair patches, the other with just two; it was a tricky decision – and it took  two attempts to repair the puncture. Meanwhile the rest of us lolled about in the sunshine. It wasn’t exactly a peaceful spot – we were within spitting distance of the Blackwall Tunnel. But eventually Martin managed to re-inflate his tyre and we were back on the road.

We were halfway around our annual outing to London. Thirteen Windmillers: Maurice, Andrew, two Brians, Martin, Keith, Simon, Geoff, Rod, Graham, Victor, Roger and Peter had set off at 9am from the car park of the Lee Valley White Water Centre at Waltham Cross.

It had been a very chilly start but Peter – who had found time to slip away from his duties at The Golden Fleece – arrived in shorts, brave man, and Graham, having cycled all the way from home, wasn’t feeling the cold at all. More of him later.

Maurice led the way out and on to the River Lee towpath. Heading south, we warded off the cold by keeping up a good pace along the 12 mile stretch to the Olympic Park. From there we crossed the Lee and followed the Hertford Union Canal for a further couple of miles, eventually reaching the Regent’s Canal. Then it was another two miles to Limehouse Basin and the Thames, where we paused to take in the City skyline.

We stopped for coffee and cake at St Katherine Docks before crossing the river at Tower Bridge, where we encountered the only heavy traffic of the day. Then it was back along the south bank, stopping for an aperitif at The Blacksmiths Arms, before heading on to Greenwich for lunch at the Trafalgar Tavern.

Back on the bikes, we looped around the O2 and took the cable car over the river; the views were superb. Landing on the north bank, we wound our way through the backstreets of Canning Town and back on to the River Lee towpath.

Heading north we took the return leg at a more leisurely pace, arriving back at the cars around 5pm having clocked up 44 miles; apart from Graham who had continued pedalling northwards and all the way home, clocking up some 120 miles! Well done, Graham, we reckon that’s a club record.

Thanks, Maurice and Andrew, for planning a truly exceptional day.

Martin might appreciate this old Clarence Carter classic from 1970, “Patches”

And there’s many more pictures in the Windmill Club photo album.

Brian