I begin by apologising if I omit to mention anyone who was out on today's ride but I have forgotten about! New Malden starts are still an experiment for the Cheam and Morden and I never expected to see quite so many out to elevenses, let alone on the ride, on yet another cold, gloomy Sunday!
The Watchman, New Malden proved to be a good gathering point - not too busy and with plenty of seats near windows to enable an eye to be kept on bikes locked to the railings just outside. However, all good things come to an end and all too soon it was time to hit the road for a rather quirky route to Putney, the main objective being to avoid climbing Wimbledon Hill! So it was that we progressed through Motspur Park, Cannon Hill and Merton Park to reach the back streets of Wimbledon, then on through Wimbledon Park and Southfields to Wandsworth where we followed first the river Wandle then the Thames to Putney Wetherspoons.
The last time we lunched here was on a very hot summer Sunday when we sat in the shade on the riverside terrace with a gentle breeze to cool us down, got served reasonably quickly, and said 'it's nice here, we must come again'. For some reason there was no appetite today for all fresco dining and we had to find tables indoors. It was quite crowded but there were enough seats (it was also almost as cool indoors as out). The real problem came with serving delays - we arrived just after 12.30 but did not leave until just before 2.00, quite a long delay for a Wetherspoons.
Anyway, at least everyone got their food, and, after dodging through the Putney traffic, we set off homewards via Richmond Park where we split to go our different ways home.
If I have it correctly, Maureen, Ray, Pam and Dave V were at elevenses but not lunch. Simon was at lunch but not elevenses. Bernard, Sabina, Diane, Lilian, Ed, Keith, Ged, Dave E, Graham, Tony and I managed the Wetherspoons double, along with Jeremy on his first Cheam and Morden ride! But I may be wrong, it was confusing, and the cold may have dulled my perceptions!
Many thanks to all for turning out on another dismal winter day, special thanks to Tony for back-marking, to Ged for navigational advice and background information, and Dave E for leading a sub group back towards Hampton Court.
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