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| Buckley's Tea Room |
With the wind from the North East, the logical route wouldn't be one that took us to the South West. However, when a new venue for tea is discovered it has to be visited at once. So Castle Hedingham it was to be. Justin led us with a directional fluency few could have questioned due to that part of Essex being considered another country to we West Suffolk-ers. We had a Tom-Tom in reserve, just in case a second opinion was needed, but he was able to relax in the bunch free of all responsibility. It was Castle Hedingham that we needed, rather than dear Sible, and the tearooms that some say used to be the site of Buckley-Saxon Cycles (and others muttered that the real site was "just over there") all we know is that the Buckley bit remains in the tea room title, and that the service was very friendly (if a touch confused and uncoordinated for the total approval of Peter Heath, our Teafinder General). We were surprised to find a startled-looking Mike Bowen and friends already seated! Part of the building was given over to Bric-a-Brac and Bygones, all for sale and some bizarre (a chest of drawers in the shape of a Cello anyone?).
As we set off up the fine main street (a touch steep for 'café legs') we past an early Georgian house with a Blue Plaque. I was just able to make out the name of one of my favourite twentieth century English artists, Eric Ravilious. The journey home seemed straight forward, if a little brisker than the outward run. Some miles after leaving Glemsford Tom-Tom took a right turn for a peaceful ride home at his own pace. Then it happened.
Tricia was riding on my right, and we were chatting about something or other that has now quite gone out of my head when it happened. I don't think that we could, in the cirsumstances, be expected to identify the Gender of the Beast. Mercifully, the number of the beast amounted to just the one, and it was most certainly a DEER As to the type of deer - follow the link, and you decide. All I know is that this face appeared from the right and just above handlebar height
and attached to a very solid body. The animal being unavoidable a crash became inevitable and the result was regrettable.
I was lucky in landing mostly on the grass verge - swiftly followed by Barry and Adi. Tricia had a high gravel-rash score, specially her right (?) arm. Every one gathered round and, as you can see from the picture, my bike received a great deal of attention. Julian was very concerned that I had bumped my (unprotected) head, and I was very concerned that my front wheel was badly damaged - though probably rideable. Tricia felt it important that she start riding again at once (must be a horsey thing) and was escorted homewards by Julian Long - with a transfer to motor car driven by Mrs L chez Long at Gt Barton.
I was escorted home by a select and watchful group, my main concern was the amount of wobble in my front wheel. I was offered a lift home from Bury, but (as one does) I politely refused. I did, however, accept Justin's company for the entire route home.
SJH
Tricia was riding on my right, and we were chatting about something or other that has now quite gone out of my head when it happened. I don't think that we could, in the cirsumstances, be expected to identify the Gender of the Beast. Mercifully, the number of the beast amounted to just the one, and it was most certainly a DEER As to the type of deer - follow the link, and you decide. All I know is that this face appeared from the right and just above handlebar height
and attached to a very solid body. The animal being unavoidable a crash became inevitable and the result was regrettable.I was lucky in landing mostly on the grass verge - swiftly followed by Barry and Adi. Tricia had a high gravel-rash score, specially her right (?) arm. Every one gathered round and, as you can see from the picture, my bike received a great deal of attention. Julian was very concerned that I had bumped my (unprotected) head, and I was very concerned that my front wheel was badly damaged - though probably rideable. Tricia felt it important that she start riding again at once (must be a horsey thing) and was escorted homewards by Julian Long - with a transfer to motor car driven by Mrs L chez Long at Gt Barton.
I was escorted home by a select and watchful group, my main concern was the amount of wobble in my front wheel. I was offered a lift home from Bury, but (as one does) I politely refused. I did, however, accept Justin's company for the entire route home.
SJH
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