Early morning rainfall didn’t deter the 10 cyclists who rolled into Liverpool Street to catch the train to Shenfield.  Caroline suffered the one and only puncture of the day en route to the station.

The clouds cleared as we set off out off into the Essex countryside, which was looking very pretty indeed.  Hedgerows laden with berries, pheasants bolting across the fields and an abundance of sweet chestnuts scattered on the roads.

We picked our way gingerly around a ford, which was swelling after the previous night’s rain, and kept up a good speed to Hanningfield reservoir.  Here, we were rewarded with an impressive aerial display from a large flock of Canada geese coming in to land.  The resident cormorants, tufted ducks and coots remained oblivious.

Popped into the reservoir’s visitor centre for a cup of tea and a trip to the compost loos.  Wouldn’t like to accidentally drop a wallet down one of those.

Any threat of rain had cleared to leave a bright day with a brisk tail wind that helped us on our way to Hyde Hall for the Apples festival. 

Apples of every size, colour and flavour were on display including the eponymous Wheeler’s Russet …

After a quick trip around the gardens, it was back on the bikes through East and West Hanningfield, and then into a head wind up to Stock windmill.  Apple-cheeked, we stopped to admire it and then began the final few miles back to the station. 

Circumnavigated the ford again, which by this point, had risen a fair few inches.  One 4x4 spent a great deal of time driving into it only to then promptly reverse, as if the water was too cold for its wheels. This was repeated several times while the cyclists looked on sniggering.

A final spin through Padhams Green and then back on the train at Shenfield after a very satisfying ride indeed.

Thanks to Caroline and Dave for their expert navigation and organisation.