Easy riders 31 July: Weybridge to Kingston along the Thames

We welcomed two new riders to our group this week; Martin rode up from Epsom to meet us at North Cheam, and Terry rode with David Vine to meet us at coffee in wonderful Weybridge.  Ten of us took Bellamy's Way through the meadows from just outside Weybridge centre to Walton bridge.  Alas, at this early stage Terry suffered a flat (quite a rough stony path at the beginning of BW) so David stopped with him to effect a  repair.  The rest of us followed the towpath, stopping at Shepperton Lock for photos.

We crossed the river at Hampton bridge and followed the river path on the north side to Kingston bridge, crossing back to the south side into Kingston shopping centre.  Under the bridge towards Canbury Gardens, then made our way through to the Wych Elm for lunch in their pretty garden...this pub is so friendly and welcoming to our group!  I emailed them early in the morning to let them know we were coming, then confirmed numbers after coffee, about 11.30.  They had saved tables for us outdoors and inside! The food is always delicious too.  Highly recommended.
Dave and Terry followed us in about half an hour later, having made a little detour in search of the pub...then the rain started 15 minutes later, so we retreated indoors to finish our food.
As the rain cleared, we prepared to leave only to find my front tyre was flat.  Dave came to the rescue again, and kindly had it sorted in under 20 minutes.  He found that a little flint had pierced through both tyre and tube...

Four of us - Terry, Martin, David and me - headed to Woodies in New Malden for a quick cuppa before heading home.
Many thanks all for a pleasant day out; the river was beautiful, your company lovelyas aleays.  Special thanks to backmarkers John and Liz, to David for keeping us all on the road, John B for keeping us on the right track from Weybridge and to the rain which held off while we were wheeling along!