19-20.08.06  - Essex Weekender-Youth Hostelling and wine tasting

Day 1

We got trains to Bishops Stortford, all there by 10.30, and cycled east to pick up the Flitch Way-an old railway line now a cycle path. "THUD-WHOOSH" as Alan gets a puncture after 20 mins, then breaks a tooth opening a banana! Past Takeley and a diversion up and down some steps (very muddy). Onto Gt Dunmow for a short stop at the Boars Head.

Then we head N.E. towards Great Bardfield and the Great Lodge Vineyard. The estate was part of the divorce settlement from King Henry 8th to his 4th wife, Anne of Cleves from Germany. We parked the bikes in a magnificent Grade 1 listed barn and was made very welcome by the owner, Alan Jordan. He and Mrs H (what was her name?) gave us a tour of the house - we were allowed to wander all around the house - and the vineyard explaining the process of growing the vines and about the varieties used.

Then off to a smaller barn for the tasting session.

After buying a bottle or two, off to find the youth hostel at Castle Hedingham, where we arrived at 6.20 just in time for dinner. Not even time for most of us to shower!

Excellent food it was, and then came Paul's surprise - a 50th birthday cake made by the hostel staff and arranged by Andy H.

We retire to the pub around the corner and relax for the evening with a few drinks. Who can remember Alans monkey joke saga?

Off to the dormitories for some well earned sleep. (who was that snoring?)

Day 2

With no itinerary, the day was ours to do as we want. We gather for breakfast at 8.30am. Many thanks from Paul for his cake. We pack up and some play boules and juggle with apples from the tree in the garden.

A photo call outside the hostel before heading off through country lanes in the vague direction of Thaxted and Finchingfield, with Paul sporting balloons on his bike. Heavy showers catch us for the first time.

We split into 3 groups as some preferred to get home earlier. Some eat at Finchingfield and some go onto Thaxted for lunch. Groups 2 and 3 get lost and take the scenic route, but all there by 2.30! Some tour the working windmill and the rest go straight to Elsenham station for the train home in some welcome sunshine after the rain.

The groups catch the 16.18, 17.18, and 18.18hrs trains back home to their various stations.

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It was a great weekend, some lovely countryside and villages were past through. and of course the company was not bad either, and our warm thanks go to Andy H for organizing an enjoyable trip.