Snow day

 The final ride of the year, which we have not seemed to have for a few years now; but I was limited with leaders and as the week progressed the forecast was getting colder.  On a phone call to a friend midweek I forgot myself and arranged to join her for her 50th Parkrun, to help her celebrate.  So, we cancelled the ride.

Just as well, as although I had a very icy frost where I was, Chester actually had snow and remained very cold.  So no pictures and no write up - but I thought I would share my Parkrun photo - we went to Rosliston which starts with an 'R' so is part of the Pirate Challenge (7 'C's and an 'Rrrr').

See you all in 2023!

Another new cafe for November

 This month felt like we were getting a little more back to normal, although numbers are still down to what we had pre-pandemic, there are some familiar and regular faces coming out now.

This month is our eighth new cafe for the year, bringing our total of all cafe's visited to 67.  Just around Chester, not including weekends away.  Twelve of the
cafe's have now either closed or re-opened with a new name.  

So, as it is November and you cannot be sure of the weather PLUS people have started Christmas shopping in earnest, our chosen cafe was a little closer to home (Aldford).

Unlucky for some 13 turned up, but Sarah met us at Aldford so that evened numbers a little.

What can I say?  The weather was kind, we enjoyed a sociable amble out, and the trees still had fabulous autumn colour.  

And then we filled the cafe on our pre-booked table, enjoying coffee and cakes.

I do have small portable tripods, so I really should start to carry one.  Or my Selfie Stick! Had to make do with balancing my camera on a table.  

And then we headed home (I did offer to take a long route home, but it was unanimous to head straight back).  So I caught a few at the top of Saigton Hill.

(I wish there was an easier way to set my photo's out with Blogger!)

Three card trick

 This year I have been following a photography challenge, with a new topic each week.  You will know from the blog I do take a lot of photos (what is posted here is a fraction of what I take!) and so it will be no surprise that I have woven this into my Fab ladies and some Sunday rides since January.  As the photo needs to be submitted by Sunday night, I am running out of time if I still have nothing by the weekend.

This weeks challenge is 'rule of odds', whereby an odd number of things in a photo is more pleasing to the eye.  Usually 3,5 or 7.  With that in mind, and a 'warning' to the riders, we set off into a wonderfully autumnal day.

9 Riders

Our destination was Tattenhall Marina, another new destination for us.  So we just took a straightforward route out to Huntington, Saighton and Bruera, crossing the A41 to come in past New Russia Hall.  

3 Calves

Near Bruera I spotted three little cows in a field.  I wish I had my 'big' camera and 'big' lens, but I managed to catch these little guys.

So sunny!  I had planned to head round to Tattenhall, but instead we went straight for the Marina as we had had quite a headwind.

The Marina opened in July 2009 (or thereabouts), and has become a secret favourite of some cyclists, and we were treated very well indeed.  We were welcomed in and they pulled two tables together in the middle of the cafe.  Table service included, we settled to a variety of breakfast dishes.

On another table a lady and a gentleman were practicing card tricks.  When Helen suggested a three card photo, I was hooked and (quite excitedly, I will admit!) popped over to their table and introduced myself.  The lady was more than happy to oblige, three 3's!  (another challenge a different time was 'photo of a stranger', sometimes the picture you take fits into a few challenges!)

3 boats (but a bit lost with the background boats)

We headed back through Hargrave, with one last photo opportunity - I was ahead of the gang and as I waited I shouted out 'come on you THREE'!  Ho ho we laughed (you had to be there I guess)

A little early autumn colour, blue skies and small fluffy white clouds.  A lovely morning out.

Sunny September

 Aah we made it to September, and this year more than ever is an opportunity to invite and welcome people back.  We had a small faster group who hit the lanes, whilst we set off up the Greenway on the tried and trusted route out to Nets.

The pictures say it all, really.

So, we arrived before the other group, but that is OK, they will be along soon.  They will have gone further, we reassured ourselves.

Sitting outside we all soaked up the sunshine and a variety of snacks.

However, when we finished, the other group were still not here.  I was a little worried - but the rolled in just as we were preparing to leave.  Nothing too untoward, just a puncture. But all resolved now.  We left them to their refreshments and headed back along the river.

Not lost

 We had another new cafe planned for July, The Lost Barn near Tilston.  We had a decent turn out, and beautiful weather.  What more can you ask for?

A slightly longer route, as it is the summer.  The Lost barn is a coffee roasting establishment, with hearty snacks and a selection of coffees (of course).  You can even buy old hessian coffee sacks!

Ducks and a giraffe

 This month the plan was to head across Chester and over the border to a new cafe in Kinnerton

Start up picture

Our numbers are still small, so we can ride as one group.  We dropped down to the river, and came across the Duck Race, due later that day.  Ducks of all sizes and colours, in aid of the Countess of Chester hospital.

We continued out on the river, over at Saltney Ferry and along the Saltney straight to Bretton.

Grosvenor Bridge

 

Walters is based in the old school in Kinnerton, which opened in Feb 2021 (still in the middle of pandemic times).  It is quirky to say the least - but very friendly and welcoming, with an incredible range of savoury rolls and sweetie brownie type cakes and cookies - you will be hard pushed to choose.

And a quick April shower before we leave!