At last the beautiful weather we had been waiting for!

After a gentle start an early coffee stop at Northleach was decided upon and The Curious Wine Cellar turned out to be a popular place on a Sunday morning with a wide collection of dogs for Jez to make friends with. This set us up for the verdant lanes of the Cotswold plateau and the particularly satisfying descent from Hawling towards Guiting Power. The small back lane from Barton turned out to be a very pleasant alternative to the road through Kineton and bringing us to Critchford Lane and the start of the optional off-road track of the Winchcombe Way. This track was dry and very amenable to road bikes today, not always the case. The descent of Salters Hill, with its widespread views from West through to the East, was enjoyed. At its base the decision on lunch venue was made and we headed up to Hayles Fruit Farm Cafe, where the intra-breakfast and lunch baguettes (Ham, Cheddar with Chutney recommended) filled us amply for the afternoon hills.

I've done the return route, which starts with the tough climb of Corndean Lane many times, but today, with the addition of a gentle Northerly breeze pushing us forward, it was tremendous. After Fosse Cross the hills disappeared and country lanes led us quickly back to the Water Park.

Thank you all for making it such a pleasurable ride