4 ladies free today, and I suggested a loop to try "The Tipsy Teapot Tea Parlor" recently opened within the Swan pub at Three Mile Cross. Might take a Breeze Ride there?
Lynne mentioned that she had read about a Castle being built at Shinfield Studios for a film. No sign of anything as we rode along between the vast studio buildings, but once we turned off to pick up the pathway to Hall Farm, it appeared on our left.
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Large arches being constructed as part of the "Castle" A drone shot from a Facebook Page |
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| On the farm track next to The "Castle" |
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| Gloom, gloom, gloom. |
Down Swallowfield Road into Riseley, where the rain suddenly came on pretty heavy as we cycled up Park Lane. Wasn't expecting that. Decision time. We decided to shorter our ride and go directly to Three Mile Cross, turning right at Stanford End, ie right to Beech Hill. But 5 minute later, the sun was out, so Louise and I changed back, to plan A, without consulting the others. 😉
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| New Street and blue skies now. |
To West End, and we joined the road to Beech Hill, but turning left at the church, to head to Grazeley.
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| Stopped to let a lorry pass on Beech Hill Road. |
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| I had messaged the pub to ask about bike parking? They said they had a huge car park. They did, but no bike parking! (Louise locking our bikes to a table) |
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| Tea arrived, but no sign of milk, or cakes. We had all finished our drinks before cakes arrived. |
We also asked if the TV behind Martina could be switched off please? No one watching it, so just a distraction. 😡
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| The Cheerless Christmas Tree about summed up the place. |
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| The clientele. Hmmmm. Louise got a fit of the giggles as we overheard his phone called saying "he didn't do well at school." 😅 |
oh dear. Not the best experience, so we wont be back. The loo didn't flush and no hand towels to dry our hands. Tea was barely hot enough, and "homemade" cakes were warmed up straight from the freezer. Lynne's still had cold spots she said. We all seemed to be be charged different prices. Martina who followed us into the car park questioned hers costing £9 for coffee and cake. Mine was £7 for tea and cake. She went back in and got £1 back. Then when we got home Lynne found this!
We got no teapots, and no cake like this on offer! Our Facebook comments gave an honest report of our terrible experience.
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| Golden Lamposts |
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| The base looks like a lampshade. |
A bit of drizzle on the way home, but not proper rain like it had been earlier.
Nice morning out, other than the coffee stop experience. I certainly WON'T be taking a Breeze ride there.
Nice to see you all. A full team next Friday as we meet Andrea for a Christmas Lunch at The Wheelwright Arms, after a 20 mile loop. Hope it's ok! Feeling nervous already!!
