A Motley Crowd.

How many did you say would like lunch? We don't normally open on Wednesday lunchtime but for that number, I will open up specially. The landlady at the Blue Anchor in Smeeth was pleased to have the Ragstones and treated us extraordinarily well. In the end ten of the fifteen riders made lunch, and bikes piled outside brought her some passing trade as well.

Not surprising, a glorious day at the beginning of spring and everyone wanted a ride. New riders- Richard from Crundale, Noelle from Waltham and Mick and Jules from Lympne joined the motley crowd. Big bikes ,small bikes, fast bikes, slow bikes, old bikes, new bikes we made an impressive line, not quite a pelaton, I think we need more practise for that.

We all made the Rare Breeds centre, which for one or two was quite a struggle but for most an easy ride in the sunshine. The only slight hiccup the flood in Church Road. The road was officially closed but of course the Ragstone's motto is like Puck's

'Over hill, over dale/ Thoro bush thoro briar/ Over park, over pale/ Thoro flood, thoro fire.'

I do wander everywhere/ Swifter than the moones sphere.

Hence some wet socks drying in front of the Blue Anchor fire at lunch time. We understand that one real Samaritan carried a spare pair over to Mary at the Rare Breeds. Mind you she had been drenched earlier on the ride through Barham from her home.

No drenching from above today though, sunshine all the way with primroses and celandines in the banks and p**** willow and lamb's tails decorating the hedgerows. Some blackthorn as well in bloom, let us hope that the dreaded Blackthorn Winter is not on its way!!