What a Day.

Arriving at Wadebridge to find only A group riders gathered in the rec. Had a lovely coffee and cake from Gok's coffee shop, (the waitresses were all fully clothed). Numbers soon began to increase as B's and A's started arriving. Nice to see a large (socially distanced) Wayfarers. Most were enjoying coffee and some sort of edible delight. Time for the off as my group of 6 were raring to go.Tim Gibbons had volunteered to be back marker and a grand job he did, Thank you Tim. The Weather was slightly chilly but soon the temperature started to climb. It was around 18 miles to Lunch at Dorney court GC. A few gentle inclines to Virginia water and then the nice little ride up Callow Hill saw the last of any height gain. All of my group enjoyed the descent of Crimp hill past Elton John's residents. None fancied returning via that route?

Through Old Windsor, Datchet and onto the off road route of the Jubilee river to lunch at Dorney court GC. Most sat outside to enjoy sandwiches  brought from home and then getting a coffee afterwards. Soon the second 6 arrived and eventually the third 6 arrived. Chat and banter filled the air but soon enough of sitting in the glorious sunshine, the whip was cracked and off we set.   Dorney common and close to the Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene, a lovely very old Chapel only accessible on foot. Eton was reached and across the bridge to Windsor and  the road to Datchet We were lucky to have the wind behind us so progress was rapid. Wraysbury, with a very slight detour t and nobby lecture about the Ankerwycke Yew  Tree, a 2500 year old yew tree purported to be the actual place where the Magna Carter was signed. 

 

 Staines, Laleham all passed in a blur (poetic licence) and we were soon sitting in the Sun at Shepperton lock scoffing coffee and cake, well I was.

The second 6 eventually arrived and finally the third 6. It was great sitting in the sun with great company and loads of chatter, very hard to get back on the bike to head home , but.... eventually we did. We were very lucky with the weather and a great group of Wayfarers. Thank you to all the sub-leaders and back markers.

Tony (IA)