A Group April 26

Fourteen turned up at Teddington, mostly having already decided their lunch order. Thank you! It made the leader's life easy and paid off later. We made a prompt getaway and good progress to Osterley, alomg the canal to Hayes and through Stockley Park where the first signs of showers appeared but only lightly. Packet Boat Lane got us out of the urban sprawl and the showers left us alone until after we crossed Langley Park to George Green and across the A412. By now we were well on track for my planned 1.15 arrival at the pub when everything happened at once. Pete Betts punctured, the hail arrived and as soon as that was over Simon punctured and Pete's tyre went down again!

At this point we split the group. Ten went on to get to the pub by 1.30 while Neil and Colin ( back marker) stayed with Simon and Pete. They didn't get to the pub till after 2 but their order's were started as soon as they came in sight and were on the table by the time they had bought a drink. Pre-ordering is normally a nuisance but in this case it saved us a great deal of time and gave the latecomers a much more relaxing lunch. A big thumbs up to the Emperor for the quality and speedy delivery of the food.

We set off at 2.45 to Walton via Slough, Datchet and Staines and made it with only a little dampness in the air at times. The weather threatened much but delivered little and my rain jacket stayed packed away all day. The Riverhouse Barn cafe is now open until 5 which we reached at 4.20 for a welcome tea and cake in the warm.

Many thanks to Colin ( back marker), Neil ( for volunteering to stay with the punctured and lead them to lunch) and to all who corner marked especially on the convoluted outward route.