It's Sunday, and the day after John's 70th Birthday. He insisted he didn't want a fuss, so having taken him for a surprise lunch with only his best mate and wife, the day before, I hoped he would accept that nothing else was planned. (the lunch almost didn't happen since his friend was a little under the weather, but tested negative for covid. Phew.)
I had however arranged for just some family to come, yesterday, but told them to keep it a secret. His brother, who hasn't been to our house for 20 years, even agreed to make the journey. (We have seen him, just not at our house). To ensure it was a secret, I did something I have never done before. I arrange a private caterer to deliver hot food, and selection of desserts at 1pm. And separately, a "cycling" cake was commissioned too, to be delivered by the cake maker in person (a friend) at around noon. What could possibly go wrong?
Soooo.. the night before, a message from John's brother.... he had tested positive for Covid, which meant he and his partner couldn't come. Such a shame. Then on the morning of the party, a call from his son, who had also tested positive. He was meant to have come with his wife and 3 of our grandchidren. I had to commit to the food being delivered, with 4 days notice, so no going back. A quick call to a friend and her husband to ask "Fancy a free lunch"? So, with Jamie, we were a small group of 5. The food order was for 10. Our freezer is now groaning. (hoping to have the family when everyone recovered).
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| Fabulous cake commission, made by a cycling friend. She asked "what colour teeshirt?" She must have loved me for asking for the Belgian team colours, with stripes! And so today, Sunday, time to work off some food and cake. John worked out a route starting at Northend, to Chinnor direction. Enroute, we decided it was too cold for that route today. There was ice on the windscreen, and just 2 degrees, although it was forecast to warm to about 6 degrees. So we parked at Upper Wargrave instead, rode to Crazies Hill, and did a familiar route crossing at Hambleden Lock.    Across the weir next   We rode all the way up the Valley, then left at the end, towards Turville, but left to climb up Dolesden Lane to South End. We were on ebikes today, but even so, I was down to my small chain, and on red towards the top where it gets steeper to 12 percent gradient. Then it levels out and is mostly a gentle climb to North End, and continuing up all the way to Christmas Common. A slight downhill at last as we aim for the main road all the way to Nettlebed. Half a mile of so out of Nettlebed, I was aware in my mirror of a cyclist approaching, reasonably fast behind us. I assumed they would pass. They (he) didnt. But he disappeared from my mirror view and I thought where has he gone? He was on my back wheel! Just slightly left, so I couldn't see him. I said, please pass, and he replied "no, that's ok, ". Bloody cheek. He was using me as a wind break. I told him to either pass of back off please. 😡 At the junction in Nettlebed, we turned right and thankfully he went left. What is the matter with people?! Since we had loads of cake to come home to, we were very good today, and just had a drink. (And shared a snack bar 😉). The Cheese Shed was packed, and as I sat waiting for John who was ordering, I overheard some conversations with 3 male cyclists. Two visiting from London, the third clearly a member of Marlow Cycling club, since he talked about a large group going to Majorca in April. (We were invited to go via some friends, but decided not for us). They left at the same time as us, one interested in our Orbea ebikes. We also told them about H'Artisan in Wargrave. They were changing their plans to head there for lunch.  We turned right at the roundabout in Nettledbed, heading to Highmoor. Chilly now in the shade of the trees, and also from waiting too long at the cafe. In Highmoor we turned left into Rocky Lane. This lane is normally empty, but today, we had to pull over at least 4 times for cars! Note - avoid on a Sunday! Also one seriously deep puddle at one point, but thankfully enough space on the high side of the road to pass safely. A 4x4 came the other way creating a substantial wash as I followed John through.    Now uphill, passing the main entrance to Greys Court, and continuing all the way to Gravel Hill, passing George Harrison's former home, dropping steeply into Henley. (I've not ridden this way before, but driven it). Over the bridge in Henley, and back to Wargrave our usual route climbing Flower Pot Hill. With power one now.... and why not? 😊 And after lunch at home, some more cake. |