Celebrating the fact that Breeze is 10 this week, Cathy and I joined forces today for a fun ride taking 10 riders, searching for answers to clues that I had put together after a pre ride at the weekend. It's the first time for a long, long time that we had ridden in such a large group, and it made sense to split into two groups for much of the time. We also met up along our route, mixing up so that we all got a chance to chat to everyone (or that was the plan!).
Starting at The Acorn Centre, Woosehill. our route wiggled out the back of Morrison, where I found a nice green space for a team photo, (all except me anyway) before we broke into two groups. As I was moving back a bit, and bit more to fit them all in the photo, the ladies were laughing since what I hadn't realised was there was a flood just behind me.😁
 |
| Denise, Linda, Barbara, Rachael, Lizzie, Gill, Natalie Carol, Cathy and Sarah. As we leave Woosehill. |
Once over the motorway bridges, we turned right into Pound Lane, then Nelson's Lane where our first clue was to be answered. At the Diana Brimblecombe Centre, what mythical bird do you see at the house next door?
Now using both of the Straight Miles (some ladies didn't know there were 2), Why is Love in the Air at the junction of Darvel Lane?
 |
| Love is in the air! Rachael, Natalie, Carol and Sarah . The "A Team" |
We agreed to meet up at Waltham St Lawrence School, where two more clues were waiting to be answered. On of which was... What year was their Ofstead inspection?
 |
| We all meet for a few minutes at WSL School, then Cathy and I swap teams. |
A bit of chatting before we are on the look our for our next clue. What is the colour of the front door at The Old Post Office, Waltham St Lawrence?
 |
| First team at The Old Post Office WSL. |
 |
| Pretty Wild Flower Meadow next to The Old Post Office |
A bit more time to chat until we approach Wargrave and on the look out now for Wargrave Manor (some had never noticed it), and the question was What design are the gate finials?
We enjoyed our freewheel down the hill, and soon arrived at the Marina, and the Cwtch Cafe. I had asked to reserve 2 tables, but they don't do reservations. Someone was leaving just as we arrived, so we got two tables next to each other, of 4 plus 7. My table, got our orders taken first, and 3 of us ordered the Welsh Cakes. What we did not know was that we got the LAST of the Welsh cakes, but we did not rub it in at all !😋😅
 |
| Carol enjoying her "donated" Welsh Cake, whilst Natalie thankfully finds it amusing. |
The perfect weather today for our waterfront stop in glorious sunshine. Fed, watered and toileted, we ride through the main road, turning left at the second set of traffic lights into Braybrook Road, which is a less steep route to climb back out of Wargrave. At the top, across the A4 and through Ruscombe, over the railway bridge.
Now straight over the roundabout to drop down through Broadhinton, to Hurst, where we wiggle through the lanes passing the Castle Inn. Gill and Lizzie will peel off shortly to Sandford Lane, whilst the rest of us continue through the Hurst Lanes, and over the motorway at Dinton Pastures.
The roadworks on the Reading Road, mean atm we now cross at a new crossing and over to the opposite side of the road, and use the cyclepath all the way to Walter Road, where Denise said her goodbyes, heading for Binfield. Well done to Denise who cycled from home and back today.
Finally back to Woosehill where those driving loaded up their cars, whilst Natalie, Linda and Sarah peddled back to their respective starting points.
Thanks Cathy for assisting today, and to everyone for your excellent company this morning. A bit of fun, and to make you open your eyes to your surroundings and learn a few road names, and facts along the way. Look forward to seeing you all on another ride soon, or if you are off on holidays, have a great time.