A short report for a short ride of 11 miles! Roehampton Gate cafe was almost empty on Christmas Eve 2003. In 2008 there were a surprising 30+ Wayfarers, to the delight of the manageress as one hand did for the rest. Eventually 20 including the tandem headed along NCN 4 and out of the park at Ham Gate. We offered festive greetings to Annabel and Jemima (hope they were home) before turning down the "drive" to Ham House and its polo grounds. Having circled the 1610 building and bypassed the Ham Estate, Teddington Lock found us back on NCN 4. I had intended to avoid Kingston town centre but with time pressing our route lay through the crowded Market Place where they were "raking through the ashes" of Woolies. Squeezing between Crown Court and County Hall, we continued to the back of the University and Maple Road which led eventually into St Mary's Road where we rejoined last week's route. The Cap In Hand was reached dead on 1230. Well watered and fed and with no scheduled teastop, the ride thus ended as we headed off hopefully to enjoy a Merry Christmas. Graham Hill
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