Monday, 19 April 2021

An Upgrade……. Beginners Ride Saturday 17 April 2021

 

By Karen C

 

Good turnout at Nonsuch Mansion today.  Our group of six set off for Home Park.  Heavier road traffic than usual en route and Kingston Bridge pedestrian traffic overflowing onto cycle lane in places.  Cycling in to Home Park was a delight - surprisingly deserted on such a lovely day.

 

We stopped adjacent to a lake just before 3 o’clock.  A nesting swan swan joined us for a minute’s silence, it's calm serenity appropriate to the occasion.  At one stage, Mr Swan appeared to be heading in our direction to give us a piece of his mind.  However, he decided to have an afternoon nap instead.  Mrs Swan seemed quite unfazed by our presence (but was probably hoping we'd be quiet for a bit longer).

 

We were quite taken with Mrs Swan but our reverie was rudely interrupted when our leader solemnly announced:  “It closes at 4 so we'd better get going”.  Panic-stricken, we quickly set off down the river for coffee and cake.  Shallow? Us?

 

Molesey Boat Club pulled out all the stops and upgraded us to first class: proper table with all mod cons (i.e. seats) and coffee served to us in proper cups. Warmed by the sun and enjoying our new freedoms, the conversation turned to outside amenities.  One of our party indicated an interest in a summer house and was trying to explain the difference between a summer house versus a shed.  Liz remained unconvinced:  “It's still a shed.”

 


When the conversation turned to caterpillar cakes, we knew it was time to leave.  Does Colin know there's a caterpillar cake named after him?

 

We headed back to Cheam via Thames Ditton and Chessington. I experienced a couple of close passes on Chessington Road - perhaps a helmet camera would be a good idea.

 

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