My Breeze ride today was to encourage a few ladies to push a bit further, to 35 miles, but without too many hills. Just a couple to keep us warm, and earn our cake. 😄 My thanks again to Breeze Champs Sarah and Rosie who took me on these useful linking paths from Bray to Cookham a few months back.
We met at Woosehill Acorn Centre, and had a quick chat with Linda's daughter Natalie who joined us for a few minutes with this incredible bike with baby on board. (she said she was happy for photos of the bike and the baby.) What a great idea. Very nice to meet another Sue who also joined us today.
 |
| Stopping for traffic to pass in Bray, next to this impressive building. "Vagrants, Hawkers and Dogs are not admitted" Hawker - a person who travels about selling goods, typically advertising them by shouting. |
Since Debbie had not been to Bray, a quick village tour.
 |
| Waterside Inn looking very colourful with its hanging baskets |
 |
| A few weeks ago, this area was roped off since the Swan was nesting her chicks. There are 5. |
 |
| More colourful hanging baskets on the river side terrace of Waterside Inn |
 |
| Left a bit please Sue 😜 |
 |
| Manhandling the bikes through the barriers |
Now through Maidenhead, on cycle tracks to eventually pick up The Cookham Greenway path.
 |
| Selfie along The Cookham Greenway Sue, Louise, Linda, Sue, Debbie and me. |
Part way along The Greenway, we were passing a group with binoculars. All with their backs to us, and yet there was something about one lady that I just knew who she was. It was my old Garden Design Tutor from 20 years ago. Not seen her for years! Small world at times.
 |
| emerging from The Greenway Gravel path, into Cookham |
Back on roads now into Cookham, where our tea stop is in the main street.
 |
| The very pretty Cookham village, and a useful pedestrian/cycle path as we arrive in the main street |
I had been to this tea stop once before, and knew that we could push our bikes into the garden. No one else was there as we arrived, and it was pretty warm too in the shelter of the courtyard garden. The service was a bit slow, not to order, but for the drinks and food to arrive. We actually were there for an hour in the end. Not that it mattered, apart from 2 ladies who now told me that they need to be back by 2pm. Hmmm. That might be tight now, after our hour long stop.
 |
| Look at the size of my scone! it was delicious, as were the paninis |
Retracing our route a little, we turned left just passed the railway station, into High Road, which has some very interesting older terrace properties. But no time to stop to admire them. We were now on a mission to get the ladies back for 2pm, or at least get them to a point where they were happy to head off on their own at a faster pace.
We climbed the hill on Long Lane and then parted company as Debbie and Louise headed off to make their own way back as we approached Pinkneys Green. The rest of us continued at a more leisurely pace, back on familiar territory into White Waltham. We stopped for a moment to see the progress of the foal on Smewins Road. So cute. Then through Shurlock Row.
Just as we approached the mini roundabout on Warren House Road, to turn right, a 4x4 with trailer over took us and had a very near miss with a car who came around the bend, quite legitimately, (and who thankfully slammed on their brakes). But the 4x4 did not slow down, and cut in much too close almost taking Sue and me with him. I screamed at him. His window was down, so must have heard me but naturally he wasn't interested in stopping. Absolutely reckless driving, AND he then turned left a matter of a few feet in front of us at the mini roundabout, where we were turning right, so WHAT WAS THE POINT! Unbelievable. Thankfully since the approaching driver stopped, the accident was avoided, but rather too close for comfort.
We got back to Woosehill at 2.12, and I got word that the others got home at 1.50. so they made it. Well done ladies, and many thanks for joining me this morning.