Del and I gave the next WARTY a trial run today. We didn't go all the way to Wickford but we did cycle from Southend.
One of the concrete off-road bits has been repaired. There was a lovely big wheel-catching crack in it, but now it's new cement. The 11ses stop was very good as usual, and after that we had the wind behind us and we were hacking along at about 20 mph for quite a few miles. The Saxon Church was its usual solid self but some oiks had been in and had vandalised what may have been a nativity display. Then we had to try some pubs. The first, The Cricketers in Bradwell, was OK but we were a bit early for lunch and the landlord asked us to take our shoes off. The second, The Cap and Feathers, did some very fine beer but had no food - a change of management apparently and they haven't got the kitchens sorted out yet. The third, the Fox and Hounds, did good beer and excellent food. I had a chicken balti and it was the tastiest curry I've had for a long time. If we order in advance the landlord will ensure that we get our food promptly if we go there.
Having tried the Burnham pub last time we were there, we decided to press on back to Southend. I was really beginning to feel the distance around the 55 mile mark and the wind had changed so it was fairly unhelpful for the last 8 miles or so back to Southend. Less than half a mile form home, I filtered to the front of some lights and as soon as they changed took a right onto a shared ped / cycle path alongside the road. The driver of the front car clearly objected to my filtering (it didn't cost him any time) and as he overtook, he mounted the pavement in an attempt to scare / knock me off. He received a mouthful of choice language for his efforts.
We took a few photos.
