Only six were at the start with Richard catching up before Hampton Court. Naturally we could have followed the A308 to 11s but didnt! Turning off at the waterworks we headed along the river to Chertsey and then onto Thorpe. After discovering what lay at the end of Clockhouse Lane East (a footpath), Prune Hill provided a route to the Park which was entered near Savill Gardens. From the Ranger's Gate the descent of NCN 4 and a tour of Windsor's suburbs delivered us back onto the A308 opposite Squires Garden Centre. The earlycomers had nabbed inside tables but the terrace was by now bathed in sunshine after a cloudy start. Surprisingly on the restart Don and David W were in the bunch (surely some sort of record?). We headed for and along the Drift Road into a steady westerly which was to persist all day. After passing a boarded up Royal Oak in Shurlock Row we veered southwest into Hurst and northwest to The Land's End at Charvil. Despite my warning, four tested the ford and got wet feet. Already wringing out his socks was Pete Matthews. The food was quite expensive at a pub with signs for every eventuality (ignored by Richard munching on a supermarket pack).
Conversation turned to twitching as first red kite then heron and swift glided past to a background of Brunel's GWR. On the return only David W (again) and Pam (bare feet) used the ford with the usual result; the wimps once again took to the fields. Those familiar with Dinton Pastures rides would recognised the return via Billingbear, Binfield FC, Moss End and Nuptown to Maiden's Green. This time we entered the Park at Forest Gate and exited at Bishopgate before Tite Hill delivered us into Egham for an impromptu alfresco session at Pam's. Just over 65 miles door to door
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