Another packed weekend but all very enjoyable again. The weekend kicked off with a curry in Malik’s in Gerrards Cross with some good friends, one of whom (Al Spicer) challenged me to enter the Chalfont St Giles 10k and try and win the 40+ age category – unlikely in the cold light of day (sans Cobra) as I should think I would struggle to get under 1 hour. Not been for a run for a while (as achilles hurting again) but my pace was about 9 mins / mile. The curry was pretty good, though very slow service as they were so busy so ended up drinking too much (whoops).
Saturday was the day of Rebecca’s birthday party and she had chosen a pony party at the stables behind the house (which made things very simple). The two ladies who came and organised it all with helpers and horses were absolutely brilliant and all the children had a great time (I think!). Sarah then did a very good party tea for afters. The next thing is odd, Rebecca had what is called a sleep over – yet, from what I could tell, there was very little sleeping involved! Rebecca had a serious ‘hangover’ next day and fell asleep on Mum’s lap in the pub.
On the Sunday, I had arranged with John to go and see Martin over in Ley Hill on bike. I also wished to check out how safe it would be to cycle along the tow paths as I think it would be great for the family (with the attached bikes) to cycle along there. On the way there we got pretty muddy but did 20 miles in just over 2 hours which isn’t too bad as we were catching the scenery whilst going along too – it was so quiet and plenty of wildlife to admire. One beautiful flower endowed long boat had a Heron sitting very patiently on top of it as we cycled past.
As we were a bit late, we had lunch in The Crown and the family joined us too which was good. On the way back we went a more direct route, but I wanted to see what Shire Lane was like for cycling. I knew it started at the top of Chorleywood as I’d walked it with Cashman, and it ended at the back of Newlands but not the in between bit. I assumed it was a quick path between the two villages (the original route from centuries ago). Not a bit of it. It went sharply downhill and then sharply up hill – and because of all the mud was pretty much a quagmire – not ideal for cycling shall we say! Great fun though and John and I were in fits of laughter through it… The maps can be seen here and here of our routes.