20th May 2010: Audlem

Arriving early at the Ice Cream Farm I was surprised to see three riders already inside: Jim and two others I hadn’t seen before.  New members I thought but it wasn’t to be, at least not for today, as Keith and Mike had just come out for a chat.  By the time I had blagged some sellotape for emergency bike repairs and ordered the regulation tea and teacake the rest of the group had appeared: Ray, Ivan, Brian, Dave and Liz on the tandem and Mike Gilbert whom we hadn’t seen for a while.  Then Kate appeared for a chat and to give us the once over.  We look forward to seeing you again Kate.
Discussion turned to today’s destination and the edge of the known world as defined by OS Landranger sheet 117.  Today the big earthers prevailed and Audlem (Sheet 118) was agreed, with a route via Harthill and Wrenbury.
Bryan led off steadily over Harthill, passing Cholmondeley Castle and on to Wrenbury where we waited while a canal narrow boat negotiated the drawbridge.  Once over, we had the road to ourselves and Ray shouted, “which way are you intending?”  “Right at the junction, past the station then onto Aston” and with that, if I’m not mistaken, the pace miraculously picked up.  With time in hand we looped south through Wilkesley and Kinsey Heath to enter Audlem from the south.  The Shroppie Fly or Coffee Lounge Café for lunch?  Ivan was insistent on a pub, so The Shroppie Fly it was with a table(s) by the canal to enjoy the fantastic weather.  Timothy Taylor Landlord and Wells Bombardier along with other cask ales, together with good food and service made for an excellent relaxing lunch stop. There was even a history lesson thrown in for free.  Now who can remember the importance of “Fly” boats?
An afternoon tea stop sounded good so with that in mind we set off to Brown Bank before turning north towards Nantwich.  I was thinking of the Venetian Marina café but Ray suggested the Metropolitan Knitting Centre café which none of us, other than Ray, had tried before.  Ever willing to try something new we made for the Knitting Centre, via the Secret Bunker at Hack Green, Ravensmoor and Nantwich, where we enjoyed the hospitality and seemingly unlimited quantities of tea at 50p a head.  After an all too brief stop we remounted and pushed on past the Boot and Slipper to Alpraham, Bunbury and Beeston to reach the Ice Cream Farm with time to spare.  There was nothing left to do but to sample the ice cream and relax!  A day to remember and a great ride.
Distance from Chester and back a good 74 miles.
See route map and/or gpx file download.
BW