With that smug feeling that comes from picking up a real bargain (James Arnold’s The Joyous Wheel for £12.99!), I set off along the towpath from Kingston on a very warm but sunless day. At Shepperton day centre, twenty ‘A’ riders were gathered for Irene’s latest excursion. A rear spoke replacement by Toni delayed us but eventually the Chertsey Road was the chosen way. Then we were beside the swollen Thames; a lake (easily bypassed) at Laleham being a reminder of the recent past. And so we came to Staines; from Vicarage Road we joined Moor Lane and headed alongside the motorway. Around halfway I hit one of those ruts that appear in tarmac with no foundations and ended up blooded and muddied with Wester Ross also suffering minor damage. With a chase, the bunch were caught just as they reached our destination, the Five Bells at Horton, where Pete Matthews was into his lunch. After a quick turnaround, we were away within the hour. A wake(of sorts) was in progress in the churchyard so diplomatically we withdrew.
Retracing slightly Wraysbury became our next target. Here we paused to admire the windmill, allowing Frank time to fall into discussion with the gardener. For those unfamiliar with this structure, it was built in 1996 with timbers salvaged from Tilbury docks. The shortest route to Shepperton ended at Watson’s Bakery where Jen joined us for tea. It had been an easy day, about 20 miles in company.
Graham
Retracing slightly Wraysbury became our next target. Here we paused to admire the windmill, allowing Frank time to fall into discussion with the gardener. For those unfamiliar with this structure, it was built in 1996 with timbers salvaged from Tilbury docks. The shortest route to Shepperton ended at Watson’s Bakery where Jen joined us for tea. It had been an easy day, about 20 miles in company.
Graham
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