It was disappointing to find that only the Easy Riders met at Elleray Hall especially as another group was meeting just round the corner in Bushy Park. A sign greeted us upon arrival "Welcome Wayfarers - Special Offer: Drink and cake £1.50". I apologised to the manager that there weren't more riders to take up her kind offer.
Having hurt my back falling off my bike at Cliff' Whitfield's funeral the previous day, I was disinclined to go further than usual. We set off round the back roads of Teddington into Twickenham and along the Thames bank to enter the Orleans Gardens and view the display of statues set in a cliff stage. When the water is cascading into the pool it looks impressive but, unfortunately, no water ran and weeds had taken over which made it look a little sad. We carried on to and over Richmond Bridge turning left into the shopping area and off along Sheen Road taking a right turn into Sheen Common Drive. That took us to East Sheen Gate and into Richmond Park which now has much reduced motor traffic. A large herd of deer had occupied one of the roads which brought all motorised traffic to a halt. We couldn't tell if some of the deer had super-glued themselves to the tarmac. We then traversed the Park to Ham Gate and through the Kingston back roads to the Wych Elm pub for lunch.
After lunch Helen Tovey and Ray Wren rode back into the Park to marvel at the blooms at the Isabella Plantation and the main group went along the Thames Path to Hampton Court and home.
John B
John with lots of nymphs 
Elleray Hall to Lunch at The Wych Elm 
Taken by Helen after lunch
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