Weds 26th June saw 13 set off from RLE in cool, damp conditions, under cloud cover, on a loop taking us South to Ullenhall, then down Outhill, past Morton Bagot church to Spernal Lane, with elevensies taken a few minutes late atop the hill on Burford Lane, on the road to Shelfield and Wooten Wawen where we turned Northwards. The drizzle having abated, we skirted Tanworth-in-Arden, and the haul up Tom Hill followed by the cruise into Earlswood set us up nicely for our pre-ordered lunch at The Bull’s Head. Although food was a bit tardy in arrival, it proved worth the wait and was devoured with relish, in my case home-made tomato, accompanied by a fine pint of Lancaster Bomber ale. The pub was very comfortable and accommodating and although a tad on the pricey side, good quality and well worth a return visit in my view.
The protracted but sociable lunch break saw one late arrival from Stratford, but after several departures pleading weariness, other pressing business, and suchlike, the group was reduced to six, who then enjoyed a second loop ride to the East, taking in the Tapster Mill Valley (where dismounting to cross the fords was dutifully performed), Lowsonford, where Stratford Bob diverted Southwards for his meeting with The Bishop (the best bale-out reason of the day), Rowington Green, Beausale and Honiley, where Nigel persuaded us to visit the church. Built in 1723, this 'small baroque church essentially unaltered' proved to be a delightful cultural diversion, and Linda seemed tempted to peal off a tune on the bells, but she refrained, despite encouragement. A tortuous and occasionally rough way back to Hockley Heath and RLE was then undertaken, going round the back of the Land Rover proving grounds onto Old Green Lane (10 mph max down the dark, muddy, potholed hill please) onto Chadwick Lane and Cuttle Pool Lane and briefly onto the B4101 Kenilworth Road before diving South on Watery Lane to the A4141 Warwick Road, and then West again through Darley Green and Packwood.
After 68 miles, and a sociable cuppa and some cake at Wedges, where the ultimate compliment to the route design was paid by Nigel, who said that he had seen some lanes today for the first time, the captain got home having had a thoroughly good day out.
