15th January 2009: Cholmondeley Arms

Photographs by Glennys Hammond

When I arrived for elevenses, the Ice Cream Farm was in the midst of building works designed to eventually substantially extend the café area with a special section for cyclists. Melanie had agreed to open specially for us but which was the best way to gain access? Then Melanie and Glennys appeared with a friendly wave at what was previously the door to the kitchen. Once inside Melanie enthusiastically explained her plans and sought advice on cycle racks and the like. Then Dave, Liz and Ray arrived and we sat down to tea and tea cakes.
Inevitably it was another late start to the ride but we headed off to Cholmondeley under grey skies by way of Beeston, Bunbury, Brindley and Larden Green. The Cholmondeley Arms was welcoming as usual and their Winter Warmer £7.50 offers were hard to resist but we settled for sandwiches and baguettes instead. An hour later we left the pub with police in the car park and a helicopter overhead! We crossed the A49 and made our way past Cholmondeley Castle towards Bickerton Hill rising ahead and then turned left to skirt Bickerton and Larkton Hills before climbing up to Broxton Old Hall, across to Brown Knowl and then back to Chester past Bolesworth and the Ice Cream Farm.
Distance from Chester and back 47 miles.
BW