A pleasant ride through the countryside brought us to Manningtree in about an hour, before we had to hit the main road for the ride to Brantham. The hill into Brantham seperated the riders out a bit, but we eventually all met outside the Bull at Brantham.
We then headed off to our first pub, The Gardeners at Stutton. We were met here by a 7th cyclist, John Williams, who we reckoned may have cheated by bringing his bike on the train to Manningtree, though he denied this. Most people here opted for a fine ale, Oakleaf Nuptu'ale, which slipped down a treat after all the cycling. Also on offer was an Archers beer, Adnams bitter and Mighty Oaks Maldon Gold - a splendid choice and no evil!! We sat in the lovely beer garden where my dad amused us with his tale of cycling to the shops the day before, doing his shopping and then walking home and leaving his bike behind. He remembered late in the day that he had left it down there, having walked past it a couple of times whilst taking the dog for a walk. Old age....
We then moved on to the White Horse at Tattingstone, passing the 2 most expensive council houses in England, the "Tattingstone Wonder" which I would suggest is rather wrongly named and also over Alton Water. Culture as well as beer!! Another great choice of ales, Woodfordes Wherry and Mardlers, Brewers Gold, Adnams and another I have forgotten. Another pleasant beer garden,and we also had some fine home cooked food here. The mild was superb. A Cracking proper outside toilet here as well.
We then cycled off through Holbrook and onto Harkstead and the Bakers Arms. A classic suffolk boozer here, basic benchs and wooden tables and 2 ales on offer, Wherry and Thwaites Lancaster bomber, which was in fine form. Another pleasant garden, and even more pleasant landlady, who John took a shine to. She has only been there a short while, let us hope she can make a success of it.
It was then onto Ewarton and the Queens Head. It looked like we had cocked up here as it was all shut up, but just as we were about to depart the Landlord drove up and said "Do you guys want a beer?". Silly question..... A spacious food orientated pub, but a very nice pint of Mauldons Midsummer Gold. Sadly we had our first sighting of evil here, but nobody partook.
We then headed off to Shotley after admiring the view down the peninsula and arrived at the Bristol Arms,which sold Black Sheep bitter and Adnams and also seemed to have a whole Duty Free/off licence by the toilets. A quick half here as we had to head to the Marina for the ferry.We had time for a quick half in the huge Marina bar, The shipwreck. A bizarre place,which had about 5 ales on offer, my memory getting a bit hazy here but I had a Marstons beer and also Youngs, Hancocks, Adnams and evil were on offer.
Thankfully for me (as I had booked it!!) our ferry appeared in the distance so we went and awaited it. Turned out one of the crew plays in the Onion band - beer festival regulars - and also has waved hankies in the past with Keith. Small world ... A short trip across the water to Harwich where unfortunately the New Bell and Hanover were both shut so we had a quick half of Adnams in the Alma, which was very good.
Everyone declined the suggestion of cycling back,so we put our bikes on the train and returned to Colchester. A quick beer in the Brickies - superb Batemans Salem Porter and then it was home.
A most enjoyable day, with some non-GBG pubs coming up with excellent beer and some lovely cycling on the Peninsula.
Thanks to the cyclists who attended.
Mark
