Leaving home just after six on a cloudy yet warm morning, and once again I was on the Rory and once again I had no idea where I was a going! There was a bit of a breeze (headwind) as I sped through Bulphan, Dunton to Billericay then on through Ramsden Heath and South Hanningfield to Rettendon. Where a slight drizzle started which stayed with me on and off for most of the morning. Passing Hyde Hall RHS Gardens on lanes I`ve not used for awhile to reach Stow Maries and Cold Norton. Then on through Latchingdon, Mayland and Steeple which had a great teashop many years ago. I then headed for Stone on the River Blackwater, some call it St. Lawrence but I`ve always known it as Stone, anyway the tide was in! I sat in the shelter keeping out of the wind and drizzle and tucked into my iron rations, and with 37 miles on the clock I decided to return home from here.
So back to Latchingdon and now with a lovely tailwind! I turn onto the Maldon Rd and headed to Roundbush where I found a lovely recently laid tarmac lane nearly all the way to Purleigh. Had a short break in the All Saints churchyard as yer do, then onto Cock Clarks, Bicknacre to East & West Hanningfield`s to Stock and back to Billericay. Where I had another short break for a cereal bar and found a new (well to me) cycle shop in the high Street. Little Burstead led me back to Dunton for a coffee stop in Langdon Hills Visitors Centre. Then back to Bulphan and North Ockendon to reach home at 14.30 with 77.17 miles on the clock which just makes it my longest ride so far!
The Rory in Stone, it may look gray and miserable but it was quite warm sitting here despite the strong breeze from the river.
A gravestone in Purleigh All Saints churchyard.
