Bolton Clarion Members Blog and Forum: Tea with Dee

Bolton Clarion Members Blog and Forum: Tea with Dee: Tea with Dee. John Mann and I met to ride once again to Red House Farm, a ride arranged before I realised that the Wednesday ride were a...

Tea with Dee

Tea with Dee.

John Mann and I met to ride once again to Red House Farm, a ride arranged before I realised that the Wednesday ride were also bound for the same destination, I only saw their ride on the runs list this morning before setting off.
John asked my opinion as to where we would be when caught, Hollins Green I reckoned. A call of nature once again just approaching Bent's garden centre was answered, today the background music had Ray Charles unmistakable voice while tinkling the ivories!
On we went and once on Holcroft lane an enormously helpful tail wind had us floating along, not quite as fast as the few cyclists on tri bars who shot past us, but a nice pace. Just before we got to Holcroft lane a slight figure shot past at greatly impressive speed, just visible under his red gilet was an older Bolton clarion jersey in the unmistakable pattern of red yellow and black, but who was it, I was at a loss.
We had a short break at Hollins Green, again the unknown cyclist was discussed but without realising who it could possibly be. It was here I was chastised a little by John with a cheeky observation. Having mentioned to John the invite by our A group to ride back with them on Sunday and my reluctance to engage in 18 + mph chase, he mentioned speeds of 21mph in places and how fast his legs were revolving behind my fixed gear. I chuckled and pointed out that I was actually back pedalling. I agreed that the pace would be judged accordingly from this point on.
Once over Warburton Bridge and reaching the Green Dragon pub, our clarion clad mistery cyclist was revealed, there sat in the bus shelter giving us a shout was Fred Smith, well I never. With a wave and a shout we responded and carried on to the Pennine way cycle track. John had earlier expressed reservations about using the track due to overnight rain but I reassured him it would be fine but in doing so I recalled saying something similar once before being confronted by swans on a cycle path. The path was in fact perfect with hardly even a puddle to be seen, much to John's relief and though he didn't know it mine as well.
By now the sun was beginning to feel warm and in the shelter of the tree lined track it really was superb cycling and 84 year old John was really enjoying the day. Blue sky and lots of broken white cloud set the scene for the approach to the farmhouse cafe now a mere half mile away and still the B group had not put in an appearance, surely they should have passed by now.
As we locked our bikes in the farm yard adjacent to the cafe a group of cyclists appeared, it was our fellow club members.
Dee joined us at our table while the rest after exchanging greetings decided to dine in the outside patio area. The chat was lively, humorous and interesting especially when it came to John's retrieval of his club newsletter that he had forgetfully left on the table the previous Wednesday.
The Wednesday group was a good size showing the interest in a midweek ride when we are blessed with nice weather as today, it was nice to see, Ken Hahlo doing a good job as leader.
John expressed an interest of a further visit to the old Warburton church and a search for the now elusive gravestone of an unfortunate young that gave a glimpse of his life while also a hint of mystery. Again we failed to find it.
After browsing the grounds we left to tackle the wind that had so assisted us on our outward journey, Holcroft lane would once again be a challenge.
Once at the top of the lane and with the wind now mainly behind and across we were mighty relieved and normal progress was resumed.
At Daisy Hill we paused a while before going our separate ways, John expressing his delight at being able to enjoy riding his bike despite his recent medical problems, at 84 he has a true appreciation of the humble bike while I appreciate the company of a true gentleman. An Indian Summer does not just apply to the weather!

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cream tea, headstones and gravestones 17.9.14.

Cream tea, headstones and gravestones.

I met John for a Wednesday ride and being in the middle of a glorious Indian Summer a nice Cheshire jaunt seemed to be just about right and it was agreed.

Off wet set with just one pause on the way to Hollins Green, Bent’s garden centre where I always find I am ready for a toilet stop. The facilities are great with background music to entertain, this morning Tony Bennet was giving his rendition of ‘one for my baby and one more for the road’. Having had my one for the road we continued our jaunt down a virtually car free Holcroft lane due to a road closure at the Hollins Green end.

A short break at Hollins where John decided we had a choice of options to make, initially our destination had been the ‘Bakery’ at Lymm but John now threw a spanner in the works. ‘Do we head for Lymm and beans on toast, or, do we head for Red House Farm and a cream tea?’ Well for me it was a no brainer, a bit like asking the donkey do you want strawberries or a Greenhalgh’s pie. So a democratic decision to head down the Trans Pennine way in the direction of Red House Farm was made.

The cycling this morning was superb, a warm breeze, blue skies and a no rush no push pace added to the perfection of the morning.

Wafting along the tree lined cycle path was a delight, breaks in the hedgerows giving views of the agricultural greenery of the Cheshire plain then here and there plunged into almost dusk like conditions where dense trees blotted out the sky.

The cafe was not busy, a mixed group of veteran cyclists and another couple already enjoying lunch, consequently service was double quick, especially as there was no need to peruse a menu. Two cream teas were very soon on the table and very soon were being enjoyed. A slow and deliberate consumption of scones, loaded with butter, jam and clotted cream took place, mmm, delicious. Diet? What diet! Along with the pot of tea it was a perfect lunch.

Back on the road and cycle track we were soon at the foot of Warburton Bridge and decided that as we had made such good progress on the ride we would have time to have a closer look at the ancient Warburton church. Being tucked away and out of sight from the busy road the now unused church and yard lies in quiet solitude demanding investigation of the occasional visitor.

The church is around one thousand years old and from time to time has been subject to rebuilding though to one side is the original wattle and daub black and white timbered wall. Unfortunately entry to the church cannot be gained so we had to be satisfied with a look round the headstones and gravestones. One particular grave took John’s interest, that of a dignitary and his wife, deceased in the seventeen hundreds, who hailed from Tunbridge Wells, London. John remarked on the remarkable journey it must have been by coach in those distant days, I agreed, it could well have been why he was buried here.

Once again we were back on Dam Head lane and Holcroft Lane heading back to Lymm, pleased also that due to the road closure traffic along this length was light allowing an extension of trouble free cycling.

Soon we were back in Daisy Hill were we had our parting of ways, after of course a break and chat, a bonus was that we were also way ahead of the ‘school run’ the curse of cyclists everywhere. So there we have it, Indian Summer, cream tea , headstones and gravestones and a perfect days cycling.