A 6am start and on the Rory (for only the second time this year) and with no idea where I was going just that I needed to get out into my Essex Lanes. So through Upminster to those lumpy bits of South Weald and then onto Doddinghurst. To reach Norton Heath Café for a cuppa & toast, where I found this lovely old Ford Anglia parked up.
Then on through Willingale and with a short stop at the Bus Shelter, I then headed for Shellow Bowells and Roxwell, the village shop was open so an ice cream was called for!
Those lovely lanes of Hoe Street and Gravelly Lane led me to Cooksmill Green and once over the A414, I thought about a cuppa at the Bakehouse but decide instead to head for Blackmore for it. So on through Highwood to Blackmore and Megarry`s Teashop for that cuppa and a chat with the owner Judi her hubby Peter was unfortunately not there he was off on his motorcycle, as I did want to speak to him.
I found the next part of my route home a bit tough going not just because of the traffic but the heat! Anyway through Mountnessing and Hutton and up The Avenue for another cuppa in Thorndon Country Park. From here it was Magpie & Birds Lanes to the B186 into St Marys Lane and Pike & Pea Lanes to reach home by 13.30 with my longest mileage for the year so far of 52 miles.
Saw this in South Weald and it made me smile
