I have confused the lot of you, sorry!
Situation is, as Del has commented, I decided I was more inclined to drive to Cold Norton and then cycle from there to Witham, have a cuppa at Witham (to keep me going!) and then cycle with y'all to the pub at Cold Norton. Then drive home straight from the pub like a lazy moo. I hadn't mentioned this on the thread, due to fears of being thought a wimpy Teutonic slow-cyclist, but he's outed me now. I am a wimpy Teutonic slow-cyclist who can't stay up late.
So...
If the Witham contingent are planning to leave Oaky's at 18:30 and if the Lovely Liz or the Current Mrs R is willing to furnish me (and Del) with a restorative cuppa before this essaying forth, it would seem wise for me to get to Witham by six-ish. That's if it's OK with you lot. Del has kindly offered to shepherd me from Cold Norton to Witham avoiding all hills apart from one called North Hill somewhere. I think.