We always feel very well treated at the Elleray Hall, Teddington, and we will miss the old place when it is finally replaced and closes its doors for good! My group (me, Simon, Pete B, Gill H, Brian and Dave F) were the last of three 'A' groups to head off (full credits to Frances and Janice for very kindly leading the other two). We paused at the site of Elleray Hall's replacement building, and chatting to some workers, discovered that construction work has been delayed and is yet to start!
To start with I led us along a cunning route (too cunning for its own good, some in the other groups might say!) across Bushy Park and then along a succession of back-doubles, cycle routes and other paths through Hampton, Sunbury and Halliford which eventually brought us to Shepperton. From there it was a rather more conventional route to Ascot, punctuated only be seemingly endless sets of temporary traffic lights, after which a stretch of main road took us to a few more miles of cycle paths and back-doubles which brought us, as if by magic, right into Bracknell town centre with our lunch stop, The Old Manor, just across the road.
There was plenty of room at the pub, the radiators were fortunately hot, as was the food, and the service was fast and efficient. However, it was a chilly day and our reception at the pub was also somewhat frosty! Our short stay was spoilt by an unnecessary issue over bike parking. This was eventually resolved, but we had the unfriendliest reception I have ever had at any branch of this chain (I won't use the W word here!). I have no plans to return to The Old Manor!
I had promised in my blurb that we see little concrete and very few of the mythical roundabouts which are supposed to proliferate in Bracknell. Unfortunately, I was 'hoist by own petard' (as my old granny used to say), and, thanks to a navigational glitch (I blame the lack of sun), my group ended up seeing rather more of the town centre than I had intended! Some time elapsed before we eventually ended up back at the roundabout right next door to the pub and we were back on track!
After that things did go according to 'plan' (lol) with the usual route around North Ascot and across the racecourse, then a ride across Windsor Great Park, after which we headed for Chertsey via Prune Hill and Thorpe Park.
It was a pleasant surprise to unexpectedly re-encounter the 'B' groups at Nauticalia, our tea stop. And there were no issues about bike parking here! The sun even made a tardy appearance!
Many thanks to Simon for back-marking for my group and to everyone else for your company.
Janice's group seem to have treated the ride as wildlife safari! Of her group's experiences she writes; Mark, Ged, Dave V, Patrick and myself set off first but hadn’t progressed far before we stopped to admire the deer on the cricket pitch in Bushy Park. They were completely unconcerned by our presence, and indeed that of the groundsmen who were doing their best to make the grass cricket pitch perfect. There were some impressive new antlers, covered in velvet, on display.
Whilst we were there, the back marker for Frances’ group, Neil C, whizzed by to be followed by the group a couple of minutes later.
Leaving Bushy Park, Garmin directed us through many pathways and residential roads that we’d never travelled on before. Occasionally we’d be spat out into a familiar area before being put back into new routes.
Near the top of a hill we heard Patrick shout out ‘puncture’, the second in two weeks. He was, I’m sure, grateful for the attentive observations of Mark and Ged and the presence of myself as photographer. Possibly also Dave V who was actually helpful!
Meanwhile, Dave W’s group also passed us by (we did offer words of encouragement - Ed).
Puncture repaired, we sped off to lunch to find the grumpiest Wetherspoons landlord ever encountered. He appeared to be awaiting a deluge of customers wanting to use the courtyard on what was a cold and cloudy day as we weren’t allowed to park our bikes near any of the empty tables.
Lunch was happily of the usual standard and was served quickly so we were soon off again. Mark headed for Bracknell station whilst we followed the route and especially enjoyed Windsor Park for its lovely colour, paths that were new to us and also because we saw what originally appeared to be a couple of large hares. In the end we decided they must be small deer with short legs. I’d be interested to know what they are called.
After that we were in familiar roads and just before we stopped at Shepperton we saw a flock (is that the right word, maybe brood or clutch?) of ducklings, the first I’d seen this year. What a day for wildlife!
Once we arrived at Nauticalia in Shepperton it was great to see so many Wayfarers from other groups already there.
A lovely day out in good company. A group effort navigating at times!
Frances writes of her group's experiences that they had a great day and appreciated the appearance of the sun just in time for tea!
