What an eventful run!
Thanks to all those who turned up, eight bikes in all but only three of these were Triumphs! Those included - Barry, Phil and Doug (who has only had his new Bonny for three weeks) plus myself, John and Joan, Mike and Ann, Paul and Alison.
After being told, by Phil, that we were taking a small detour to complete one of the Landmark Challenges (whereby a photo has to be sent in of a Triumph outside a designated venue and medals are given out at the end of the year), we set off from the pub at 10am sharp.
The route was straight forward (M25/A12) to get us to our intended destination as quick as possible. We found the photo shoot (Grange Barn, Coggeshall) with no difficulties but that was where the problems started! As some of you are aware I dropped my new SV 650 on my first visit to the pub (luckily in front of a small audience) well on trying to manoeuvre from my parked position over it went again on the other side this time. Luckily Barry had installed some 'bungs' which did seem to work, only a broken mirror, bent clutch lever and a couple of minor scrapes (no injury to myself although a bump appeared on my leg overnight).
Off we set again to Dedham arriving at noon where we stopped for refreshments and a look around. The car park was full but we managed to slot in the bikes ok. The area was very busy and obviously high on the tourist route with boating available on the river and plenty of picnics taking place.
We left at 2pm on what I believed to be quick run to Flatford Mill (I am sure that on my last visit I just followed the brown tourist signs) but low and behold not a sign to be seen! So after several trips into Suffolk and back we all followed Phil who managed to get us to our destination in one piece and all together.
Another stop for much needed refreshments and for me to get over my embarrassment of getting lost. The river and mill were again very busy but it was still a very peaceful setting with more boating on the river. We could see the pictures that Constable had painted and relates them to where we were.
At 4pm Phil, Doug, Mike and Ann set off back to the A12 for the journey home. Barry and the rest of us decided to go to Colchester and pick up a route to Maldon (big mistake). After riding, literally, right round Colchester and not finding the route we wanted we decided to follow the Zoo signs as an alternative route out in the same direction as we had originally intended. Eventually we saw a sign to Maldon and then found our way home via the A12 eventually getting home around 7pm.
Many thanks to all those who turned up and hope to see you again on another trip.