As you can see from Steve’s account the moderate ride could have aptly been re-named “The Remnants’ Ride”. I was very happy to undertake a shorter ride with Dave and Liz. I would have great company and less chance of a long stint in wet clothes. For the second Thursday in a row any sensible cyclist, and Neil, would have stayed at home with heavy rain forecast.
I quickly re-jigged my original plans by substituting Malpas
for Whixall. Jim and Big Ray came with us through Farndon as far as
Crewe-by-Farndon where they headed for Wetreins. We carried on to Shocklach
circling west of Malpas and turning through Threapwood toward Oldcastle Heath
via Dog Lane. Not for the first time we met horse riders on this stretch and
care was taken and pleasantries exchanged, although this didn’t prevent one
horse at the back rearing high into the air like the Lone Ranger’s horse,
Silver. A bit close for comfort: a bike helmet would be little protection if a
load of steaming horse the weight of a Citroen AX landed on your head. We
turned left up Sunnyside before the inevitable climb to the centre of Malpas.
We agreed to eat at The Little Deli where Dave and Liz used to eat and were
friendly with the previous owner. Liz and Dave had just returned from
Switzerland and were looking in fine fettle. Dave was the colour of my old
brown boots. Being grandparents and travelling seems to be agreeing with them.
The friendly staff tailored the dishes to suit the healthy veggie Pipes, and my
omelette was very tasty.
I thought about showing Dave my relatively new route out of
Malpas, but by the time He had got his act together Liz had walked 100 yards up
the High Street so we turned up Chester Road, passing the high school before going
down to Ebnal and left at Mates Lane. I received a phone call. It started to
rain. My beloved Harry, our family’s life-affirming dog had had had to be euthanized.
As I rode on tears mingled with the drizzle wet on my face. Dave was having a
trouble sorting out the back of his vintage yellow oilskin cape. Liz mentioned
that rain ran down the back of the cape and wet her legs! The rain ceased
almost as soon as we set off again from under the trees, and Dave’s cape was
only of use as a spinnaker now. From Kidnal we cycled through Tilston, turning
left before Stretton Hall and intent on beating the rain. A little shower began
as we placed our bikes in the cars, before driving close to The Green at Holt
and entering Maggie’s where we had a final cake and coffee before Steve and
Alan soon joined us having covered double our mileage. None of us had really
got wet, and it had been an enjoyable day. Unfortunately, I would remember the
day for a so sad reason and would never again be greeted on my return home by a
happy wagging tail and a lick on my knee from a very special dog.
DH
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