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Inter chapter ride to Hever
Hogsback
Chapter, 1066 Chapter and Thames Valley Chapter 'Twas
brillig, and the slithy toves And
that’s not your usual weather report from the BBC but on a day when most of
the country was under liquid
Sunshine it sounded positive, but shaking head from under the duvet I decided
the sunshine was less heavy than yesterdays biblical downpour (don’t you just
love a drought) and with the promise of a fun days ride ahead I put on my best
winter jacket, gloves, found a dry pair of boots and waterproof leggings, well
its mid summer after all, and splashed down to the high ground that our ride
leader Cliff had claimed for the start point. I
am always impressed that even at such short notice, the ride had only been
included during the week, how organised the ride leaders are, having checked
routes and ensuring we seamlessly met up with 1066 chapter at the designated
time and place. There were 5 hardy souls from Hogsback who met up with 20 bikes
from 1066, but then they were almost tropical that far south. And this is one of
the best bits of intercentre rides, meeting new people and admiring different
bikes and trikes. Off
again to the depths of the Ashdown Forest, where as Pooh would say it was a
squishy kind of day, we didn’t find Eyeores gloomy place or where woozles
wasn’t. We did however find five damp Thames Valley Members puddling their way
in. now in the best words of AA Milne we were 29. I
short rumble on and we were parked up in front of Hever Castle. Childhood home
of Anne Bolyne 2nd wife of Henry VIII an impressive double moated
property with magnificent gardens , for those of a botanical nature, and rooms
full of torture equipment inside for those who like spikes. Despite
the liquid sunshine, and our magnificent bikes looking a bit dirty and worse for
wear it has to be said it was a great ride they looked magnificent in front of a
truly iconic English setting. I
was glad that the rain eased off on the way back, as my waterproofs melted while
parking, ooops but then skin is waterproof isn’t it. Although a splashy day out a big thanks to the ride leaders for a grand day out. as
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