I think DL is now old enough to be allowed to drive the company van and has been despatched off to Stevenage today which probably explains the lack of his normal incisive pub review and random picture of a pint.
So here goes...
After looping round the Swan in ever decreasing circles, the Witham peleton consisting of the Hustler, TRATF, Bobb and the Midshipman plus later arrivals Tomsk and me, arrived there just after 9. The Hustler had shown himself at the front again so the pace was on the brisk side of moderate as I discovered when trying to get on the back of the Hustler's chain gang on the road to Kelvedon.
Jibber Jabber, Tippers, Oaky, Carlosfandango and Tippers' Tiptree Velo mate were already in place in their own marquee in the beer garden. The Hustler was a bit peeved that we weren't out front with the female Morris dancers but soon got over it when he saw the beer tent.
A fine selection of ales was consumed, most opting for the two different halves strategy. The animals amongst us (ie Tippers, TRATF and Tomsk) were tearing into Coggeshall Beast and Dark Horse both at over 6%. Tippers had also found the cider bar by this point which may explain his inner Kiwi thing or then again maybe not.
Had it not been for the heavy rainstorm that arrived, we would, I am sure, all have left the pub nice and early but, having been reassured by the wise Midshipman that it would blow over, we settled in for the full session.
A good turnout at a good event. Some of the conversations overheard were interesting to say the least.
Hopefully, OD, the father of MEMWNS, will be back on hand soon to apply a firm guiding hand to proceedings.
Oh and it peed down all the way home anyway.