Was it the cold, was it the fresh north wind, the promise of rain, the do-it-yourself lunch, the start of winter dark evenings? Was it the fact that the B group had only just been to Eltham? For whatever reason, a smaller than usual group met at the Nonsuch Arms, just eight of us. Colin Q, Dave V and Graham were going no further, leaving the hardy five of us to hit the trail eastwards. Dave W, still under the weather, turned back just after Waddon Ponds, where we pondered the source of the Wandle, so well researched by Mark G here.
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| Pondering at Waddon Ponds |
The route had been designed to visit lots of parks, partly based on my 2018 London ride, but adapted to give us a quick return in case of rain, which never quite materialised. Crystal Palace park was omitted, since it's being renovated, saving us a hill, but we still managed ten parks on the way to lunch at the lovely Park Tavern in Eltham. The pub doesn't do food on Sundays but it was packed. Andy managed to bag the last table while (as agreed with the landlord) three of us bought something from Sainsbury's.
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| View of London from King John's Walk |
After a cosy lunch, another five parks and several quiet cycleways led us to Battersea Park for tea. It was just after 4pm but the cafe was still doing brisk business. Nobody opted for the train, so lights on for riding home, rather lovely to ride alongside the Thames in the dark but a reminder that winter's on the way.
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| Admiring the view from Greenwich Park |
