In Twickenham we made an excursion to Sandycombe Lodge which had been J M W Turner’s country retreat 200 years ago. This was at a time when Twickenham was a village in the countryside and there was quite a risk of falling prey to a highway robbery on the way there from London. Turner designed this quite modest house himself having previously trained as an architectural draughtsman. His greatly loved old Dad managed the house and garden for him and used to take care of the catering for picnics and other social occasions which Turner enjoyed with his friends. Today it is open for visits on the first Saturday afternoon of each month from April to October, from 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm. Details at http://www.turnerintwickenham.org.uk/.
We rode the scenic path along the Duke of Northumberland’s River through the Mogden Sewage Works in Isleworth and took Osterley Lane around the outskirts of the park and joined the Grand Union Canal at North Hyde Lane. I had intended for us to ride through Stockley Park and its golf course but due to taking a long time to get through all the lights around Twickenham and beyond I decided that we would be kept from our lunches for too long if we went that way. So we stuck to the Canal all the way through Hayes and Yiewsley, collected Pam and John, and pressed on up beside the Packet Boat Marina to the WatersEdge Bar by the bridge in Packet Boat Lane.
Four tables had been reserved for us and we enjoyed good basic pub food at the WatersEdge Bar. The kitchen and waiting staff went into overdrive to serve us all quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately Peter C. had had to abandon the ride during the morning because of a broken gear hanger so couldn't be at Lunch.
The afternoon started with a ride around the very lovely Little Britain Lake. Returning down the western side took us along a narrow path which separates the lake and the Colne River. Once south of Packet Boat Lane we crossed over the Slough Arm of the GU Canal into Trout Lane but before reaching Fray’s River we turned right on to a very minor lane towards the Iver Water Treatment Works which I believe receives sludge via a pipeline from the Mogden plant in Twickenham. We took a path through the shrubbery, under the railway line, through to Thorney. We went south through a muddy track under the M4 then a path through the Harmondsworth Moor Waterside reserve then under the A4 into Accomodation Lane. Everyone seemed keen for even more off-road riding so we followed a track through the fields alongside the River Colne to Junction 14. I had a front wheel puncture which was soon mended before taking the long path by the M25 leading to Moor Lane into the centre of Staines. Pam led us through Staines and via the Thameside path to Laleham where we hit the main road towards Shepperton.
Although it was getting late I had in mind to loop around through Charlton into Nutty Lane but due to a lapse in attention to the map (GPS) I found that we were heading towards Upper Halliford. Fortunately Pam and Gill decided that it would be best to go to Squires. We were too late getting there for Tea but Gill very kindly had about ten of us to Tea at her place. We would have been too late for Tea at Flours in Walton so Gill’s hospitality saved us all from the dire prospect of going without. Pam and Liz had thoughtfully ducked into Squires and purchased a cake. So it was all perfect in the end.
Many thanks to David for being Back Marker and to many people who did helpful and intelligent things during the day to keep the group together and on the right track. Quite a tricky route; thank you everyone for your good company, especially to Rachel, Ingrid and Jane who are quite new in the group, not to mention Roger and Ray who we haven’t seen for a while and Eddie who is recovering well from an operation on his hand. I hope the maps will help to answer all your periodic questions about where we were, since at the time I didn’t really know.
Tim
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