Thanks to Mick and Brian for showing us round their territory. It was an excellent day out riding, around 200 miles by the time I'd got home and a brilliant day to get back in the saddle.
I left nice and early to set off to Colchester and after a quick petrol stop I was cruising down the road to meet up at the Bungalow Cafe. Having met up with Mick, Laura, Brian, Steve, Donna and Rod, we all set off for the ride down to Mersea in glorious sunshine. Time for a late breakfast, we had a long stop (they were quite slow cooking, but Rod did get his burger eventually), we had chance for a chat and some photos. Unfortunately it wasn't till I got home later I realised I had my camera set to film, so I'll have to find out how to get separate pics to post if I can. Trust me though, it was very picturesque with all the art deco coloured beach huts.
We headed off then towards Heybridge if I remember right and were going to stop again, but the powers that be, well one frantic sounding lady, advised us that we couldn't park there, so we turned around and carried on with the ride, waving goodbye to Rod as he headed back for home a few miles later. The rest of us continued around the 'Hedinghams' and 'Colnes' and carried on to Finchingfield which reminded me of an old medieval type of village with the hills down to the green, a pond and several geese... plus loads of bikes all parked up in the sun. The ice cream there was very tasty and we had time for another break and chat before continuing on to Harwich for a late afternoon fish & chip supper, where we met up with Mick's wife Michelle and his son. Steve and Donna set off for their long ride back to Kettering and the rest of us set off for home a few minutes later. It was a great way to spend my birthday, riding some good roads with friends.