About 16 started out today in quite warm and sunny conditions. It was a bit messy on Gunthorpe Bridge as work was in progress to get rid of some of the potholes - they re-surfaced 3 sections on one side of the road.
For a change we went over to Radcliffe and Cotgrave, it was busy and difficult to keep everyone together. Through Normanton on the Wolds, Widmerpool and Willoughby where we picked up Woody. Then down the steep descent into Old Dalby, Nether Broughton to the Old Wharf Café at Hickling with a fairly long stop sitting in the sun.
Andy's back wheel collapsed at Kinoulton with too many spokes broken to get it rideable, so it was "phone a friend".
Straight back through Cropwell and Shelford. It tried to rain at the end, as forecast, but not enough toe wet anything.
Me and Sue turned off at Radcliffe due to aching legs and not fancying the busy roads through Cotgrave. We went via the Cropwells to the Lime Kiln and Harby and ended up at Dickies Cow Shed Cafe near Plungar. This cafe has expanded with seating for around 30 people inside and the same outside, though half the tables were reserved for people coming in for Sunday Lunch. Prices have risen steeply to pay for this expansion. I had a Sausage cob and it was FIVE POUNDS, the most I've ever paid and twice what it costs at Portland Fishing Lakes. Sue had Cinnamon Toast (£3.50) and we had 2 teas each, due to having to wait so long for our food (around 25 mins). The total bill was £16.50. Luckily I had my bank card with me, as I don't normally carry that much cash. I would say AVOID THIS CAFE. The food was nothing special and the service slow and it's hellishly expensive. A full breakfast was £11.
Barry C had told me it had expanded - but he didn't know where it was as he went with the CTC!
He didn't say about the prices though, perhaps they increased after he went.
http://www.dickiesbutchers.co.uk/the-cow-shed
This shows they now aim for dining rather than the old mug of tea and bacon sandwich!
It is more like an alternative to a restaurant rather than a tea stop on a Club Run.