Sunday 21 September 2014

Runnymede Cafe at the surprising early (for me) time of 1010 was the first stop. Within seconds three became seven and eventually fifteen had gathered. Vic's first lead drew an audience of twelve and started as expected: back road through Old Windsor, Datchet, Eton (full of coat-tailed scholars). But after Eton Wick there was a left by Dorney Court, and then on to Bray using the M4 northern footpath across the Thames. Over and later under the A404(M) took us through Cox Green and Pinkeys Green. After a delightful Lees Lane, an unpleasant but mainly downhill dash on the A308 saw us crossing (third time)  a very busy A404 into Bisham. Thus was Marlow reached unusually from the southwest.

The Marlow Donkey was our lunchstop, an honest boozer named after the train which stills runs between Marlow and Maidenhead. It was perfectly suited to our needs and we dined in the sheltered but almost deserted garden.

The return began with a climb to the Winter Hill viewpoint then downhill through Cookham and on to Maidenhead. Sustrans got us back to Bray where The Fat Duck is closed for refurbishment; the prix fixe at £220 on our next visit? To balance the ride, the southern M4 footpath delivered us to the Dorney rowing course. Embarrassingly we could find a way out other than onto the towpath to Windsor! One final crisis arose when the first five reached the M25 roundabout at Egham whilst the rest crossed the Meads to Pam's for tea. But any differences were soon forgotten.

It's appropriate that the autumnal equinox is tonight; it felt like summer when the sun was out but autumn when the northerlies prevailed. Around 65 miles door to door.

Author: RaasayWarden