A few weeks ago, the Breeze Champs agreed on the date of 15th December, when Cathy, Sue, Hazel, Jill, and me (Anne) were ALL free to lead a group. The plan was to set off from different starting points, in groups of 6 to ride an approx 20 mile loop, all meeting at Cantley to continue the short journey together to Dinton Pastures for coffee. All planned, posters made, and cafe booked for around 30 ladies. Then on 16th November, on my Breeze ride, I fell off my bike, and with very painful ribs, wrist and thumb, knew it was unlikely that I would be able to lead a group personally, but the other ladies' rides all filled up very quickly, with a few on waiting lists. Fantastic.
Then last week, the big freeze hit us. Before everyone cancelled their places, the champs decided to change the social meet up to a WALK instead. Good decision! It was -8 in my garden this morning at 8am!
Unfortunately, a number of ladies have succumbed to Covid, and other nasty cold infections in the past few days, so couldn't join us. Sorry you couldn't join us today, and I hope you all recover in time to enjoy Christmas with families.
Hazel's group who were due to ride from SH Park, drove to Dinton, and did a walk around the Lake before coffee, whilst a group of 11 of us met at Woosehill for the 2.5 mile walk to Dinton. We crossed Woosehill pathways, to cut through the woods and as we emerged into the open space near Sadlers End, we stopped briefly for a photo in the snow.
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How different we all look in normal clothes! Well, normal sub zero clothes!
Coleen, Louise, Clare, Cathy, Kim, Amy, Denise,Sue, Andrea, Sandra
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| And a selfie by Cathy, to include me. |
The cafe had reserved a long table for us, but we did shuffle around a bit too after our drinks in an attempt to speak to everyone, especially those that we hadn't already walked with.
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Barbara drove to meet us at Dinton, as did Rose, who brought a little friend along.....
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| Tilly. Special guest appearance today. Rose's dpg. |
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| Kim and Amy |
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| Clare, who can only join us when "school is out". |
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| Terrible photo! Zooming into a moving Sandra, chatting to Beth, with Linda alongside. |
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| Cathy looking the part in her Christmas jumper, next to Amanda T. |
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Jill drove to meet us. She had been unwell all week, but was glad she came out to get some fresh air
as we walked around the lake.
Hazel, Breeze Champ from Bracknell, with Colette and Colleen. |
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| Can just about see everyone. The other Clare at the far end on the left! |
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Tilly being fussed over. Clare offered to lift her down.
Rose laughed at that! She's a dog! She can get down from a chair. 😅 |
I hoped to get an outdoor shot with everyone included, but it got complicated, as some left to drive, whilst others headed out to walk around the lake. It was cold, but sunny for a lot of the walk. The Lake was partly frozen, with some amazing patterns on the water.
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| Starting our walk around the lake, which was pretty much deserted. |
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| the frozen lake with a trail of water which wasn't frozen. |
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The Swans were in water, whereas the ducks were standing on ice, which was just below the surface.
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| (Photo by Jill) |
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Standing, and yet their reflections in the shallow water over the ice. Very unusual to see.
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Jill on the left, next to Clare W, who had walked from home, and so left us part way
around the lake, and walked back to the airfield museum,
along with Amanda T who had parked there. . |
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| Definitely not a day for cycling. Plenty of ice still in evidence. |
Back to the car park, where we once more divided into drivers and walkers. We returned the same route to Woosehill via Sadlers End. We were all much too warm by the time we got back! Think I walked about 7 miles, so some a bit more. I am knackered having done pretty much nothing for a month! Lovely to see you all, and thanks for making the effort to join us Champs today. Not quite the original plan, but thankfully a lovely crisp day for our sociable walk and chat.
Best wishes to all the Breeze ladies for a Merry Christmas, and a healthy and happy New Year. I am ready to get back on my bike, so look forward to leading again very soon.
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