Well, that was all a bit strange. I had communicated with Del to find out his plan, but he was leaving later than I felt comfortable with so I told him I'd leave earlier than that.
I headed out giving myself plenty of time to reach the first pub, but issues with my rear wheel (I hadn't done the spokes up tightly enough) demanded that I stop and do a bit of impromptu wheelbuilding. It was cold, I could have done with an extra layer and as I rode through mostly deserted lanes I watched a rainstorm sweep in front of and away from me.
I arrived at the Hurdlemakers to be greeted by Del who had actually followed precisely the same route as I had but had left even earlier then me! Mark turned up just as I was truing the wheel again but there was no sign of Tim or V. We had a quick drink, met some chaps who were planning a London to Paris charity ride, Mark set fire to his glove and we left for the Fox & Hounds. Tm & V were there, but poor V was looking decidedly under the weather and was shivering. We decided to head straight for the Ferry Boat and when we got there Tim & V, who had booked a room for the night, headed back home again V was feeling so rough. GWS, M'Dear!
Del, Mark and I then sat drinking uninspiring Greene King beer (it claimed to be Morland Original, but it tasted of Bury St.Edmunds) and ate nuts and crisps. I decided to get the train back and after some fiction from the overhead monitor it arrived to time. No guard came to sell me a ticket, which is the normal procedure on that track or so I believe, but a change of mind on my part and I alighted at Battlesbridge and took the shortest route home. Just as I was in the last half mile, Del appeared, having ridden at least 6 miles more than I had.
This has the potential to be a really good ride but tonight circumstances conspired against us.