4. Vote tandem! Dinner in Dundridge

Ride: May 4th 2006, Hambledon to the Hampshire Bowman
Present: Al; Trudy

Spurred on by another 'warmest day of the year so far' we resurrected our ancient custom and practice of taking the tandem across the road to the village hall to register our votes in the local council elections.

Leaving Hambledon at about 20:00 we then took the route via Soberton Heath taking Cott Street to Hill Grove, then wending our way up hill through Upper Swanmore to Dundridge and the Hampshire Bowman (SU577184). It was a beautiful evening, anout 20C with fine blue skies.

We arrived well in time for dinner, Tee enjoying traditional Fish & Chips while Al had gammon steak, egg, chips and peas. There's always a great selection of ale at the Bowman, making the choice very difficult, but Tee favored the local 'Liberation' from Southwick's Suthwyk Ales brewery. Al was more partial to the Cheriton 'Best Bitter' (and was sad to overhear locals talking of closure at the renowned microbrewery tied to the Flower Pots pub, later confirmed in the Hampshire chronicle), maybe the last pint?

The ride home via Soberton includes the excellent down hill section on Sheep Pond lane before crossing the A32 then turning Right into Station Road. We were back in Hambledon by 22:45 and ready for bed, certainly feeling that we were a little out of shape after such a long time out of the saddle(s!).

(Posted by: Al)