Twenty gentle miles around Chichester

The weather forecast for January 30th had been for white cloud so it was a great joy to put my MK3 in the car for my first MBC ride of the year with the sun rising into a clear blue sky. Twelve of us assembled at Chichester station for a 1030 start of a ride lead by Arthur Smith around the Chichester Plain. The first stop was the café at Fishbourne Roman Palace. On through the beautiful countryside and villages westward. The old buildings are in harmony with the landscape; timber-framing, tile hanging, mathematical tiles, ragstone, mellow brick, and flint, whichever was available, affordable or fashionable. Roof materials are equally varied: thatch, stone slate and clay tiles. Several other clubs were out in the fine weather so Arthur decided the pub at Rowland’s Castle wouldn’t be able to fit us all for lunch and revised the route to Boaters Café at Thornham Marina where most of us followed Lynn and Arthur’s lead and had a child’s size portions, which were more than ample. Through the window I could see the Moultons getting lots of attention from people arriving or leaving. It seemed to be approving but I’m no good at lip reading. Then back to Chichester (via Fishbourne). Along the way I saw my first daffodils of the year – just a single clump in the roadside verge. It was a lovely MBC and “café touring club” ride.