A Group Ride from Weybridge 30th January.

There were seven As when I took the attendance register at elevenses, with five of us eventually setting out for Wraysbury. Along the way at Addlestone Pete said hello to a cat sunning itself on a warm car-bonnet - a wise position judging by the departure temperature!

Pete and warm cat.

The blog's precautions on the downhills was heeded as we made our way to Englefield Green, where we stopped at the recently completed War Memorial in St. Judes churchyard. This Memorial was promoted by the local Residents Association to commemorate Village sons who died in combat during the First and Second World Wars - and subsequent wars thereafter. It's the newest in the UK. Details of the project can be found at https://www.jsaarchitects.com/jsa_project/englefield-green-war-memorial/

Sitting amongst the seven granite columns of the Memorial.

We arrived at The George, Wraysbury via Old Windsor and Datchet, and had plenty of time for lunch before departing at 1.30pm.

Midday sunshine at the George.

Bisecting Staines Reservoir.

An unfamiliar route across Staines Reservoir, on a good gravel path, aroused lots on interest from the quartet, not least because it afforded some unusual long-distance views of Heathrow airport, with the tail-fins of BA jets alongside T5. (The path is normally a venue for bird-watchers looking-out for water-fowl, but doesn't seem to restrict cyclists. Thanks to Tony Hopkins for sharing this route).

An early tea beckoned at the Riverhouse Barn cafe, Walton - which we had all to ourselves. Delicious cakes, but alas no kiddies prices.

Posers!

Thanks to the hardy souls (foolhardy?) who joined me for this end of January ride. And to Pete - who had an easy ride back-marking 3 others.

The weather was sunny all day. For those staying at home it was probably a sensible decision; the worst of the icy surfaces, we agreed, were on the early-start way out to elevenses.

Why so many photos? With less than half a peloton, the boys were happy to pose at every opportunity.