Hi everyone

This is tail end Charlie alias Rosemary updating you on the ride on April 1st. In spite of the date, no major disasters and a beautiful Spring day. Judith and her daughter Rebecca joined us for the day, so major logistical problem, six bikes!!!Peter's superior brain to the rescue, 3 start from Ashford and 3 from Lympne meeting up on the road to Wye. Why? Well, that's an old joke . Sorry.

The Ashford contingent started a little late as Norman had to clear up after a Russian dinner party the night before. The whisky had flowed freely and although he had not imbibed, the clearing up took along time. Even so we still arrived in Wye before the the other 3, having only encountered minor delays with a muddy field path and very large tractors blocking the road.

Reunited the party set off up the Downs, with this member at least pushing her bike up most of the steep incline out of Wye. Once at the top we cycled to the Waltham crossroads and then turned down the steep hill towards Bull Town admiring the views and the banks of violets along the way.

The steep right hand turn half way down the slope caused a major discussion between Norman and John. Both proficient french speakers they did not know what the French was for sharp right hand turn. Much discussion ensued until John cheated by ringing his French wife Dydiane. Her solution tournez a droit, tout de suite still did not satisfy them and the argument continued in a desultory way unitl lunch.

At the bottom of the hill a choice of roads one straight to Brook and lunch 6 minutes or the road less travelled 26 minutes. As it was still early we chose the longer route. The Honest Miller provided lunch and a meeting with our grand daughter, who enjoyed jumping in the sunshine. She still hasn't quite the hang of taking both feet off the ground for a jump but can do the 1,2,3 jump, before she steps off the step.

We then cycled back to our respective starting points via the steep hill out of Brook. A great All Fools Day.

Rosemary