Hitchin in the heat

As the weather forecast was predicting temperatures of about 25°C for Sunday I decided to shorten the planned ride by going to Hitchin rather than the published Letchworth destination. It was pleasing to find 12 people at the start at the Waterend Barn in St Albans. We did a wiggly route out of the town then along Sandridgebury Lane and through Nomansland, Mackery End and Kimpton to reach our 11's stop at Emily's in Whitwell. The wasp count kept most of us indoors. A westerly loop out to Ley Green then east via Preston and downhill through Charlton brought us swiftly into Hitchin and the large garden of the Angel Vaults pub. We sat under a barn-like structure in proper shade and had an enjoyable lunch together. Afterwards we took a fairly direct route south up a few hills to get to Wheathampstead earlier than expected. (Philip stopped off at the Strathmore Arms in St Pauls Walden to introduce himself as the local CAMRA ambassador). We passed St Pauls Waldenbury the childhood home and reputed birthplace of the late Queen Mother. We took the opportunity to use Marley's cafe rather than the planned golf course cafe and were delighted to see lovely traditional combination teapots and cups being offered. A good day out and not as hot as we had feared. ( Sorry Steve H for the top of your head not showing - I don't know why this happens)