Quite a contrast weather-wise compared with a week ago and that was reflected in our numbers with 15 setting out from Teddington.
New arrangements for elevenses at Elleray Hall worked smoothly under the efficient management of Jill and her colleagues. Two-for-£1 sausage rolls or cakes sold like – well, hot cakes of course! We could not be accommodated in the main hall but it was hardly a penance to have our refreshments in the sunny garden.
It was good to see Bernard Power again, albeit not on his bike. Evidently, he is making a steady recovery from the serious knee injury he suffered in April and hopes to be back in the saddle in about six weeks.
Our route took us along Waldegrave Road (which has at least two famous former residents commemorated by a blue plaque: Edward Whymper, first person to climb the Matterhorn, and actor-composer-playwright – etc, etc - Noel Coward) to Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, St Margarets and Syon Park. Osterley Lane was a relief from the traffic crossing the Great West Road before the din of the M4 took over.
There was a slight delay when Karen Cochrane was brought to a halt by a puncture. No matter, help was at hand in the shape of Ed Sharp, who demonstrated that there really is no substitute for experience, and John Connaughton. Following John’s flat last week, fingers are firmly crossed we don’t give credence to the suspicion that such happenings go in threes.
It was a shock to see a thick blanket of algae above the locks on the Grand Union Canal. The smooth green surface was broken only by discarded plastic bottles and various other waste.
As before on this ride, we enjoyed a good lunch at The Fox at Hanworth.
Works on the towpath approaching Brentford necessitated, in the first instance, a small diversion on to the road and, in the second, transferring to a temporary platform with squashy rubber matting on ramps which were tricky to negotiate. We made our way towards home via Kew Bridge, the Thames Path and Richmond Park.
~ Frank C
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