5 Sept 2021: Colney Heath to Cheshunt

Five of us met in  Colney Heath, at the entrance to the football club car park on a hot sunny morning, and set off down a familiar route through Welham Green, Little Berkhamstead and Newgate Street , where we noticed the A-board outside The Crown proclaiming 20% off over-65's lunches, We then went through Goffs Oak on an unusual route which allowed Carol to thoroughly test her new navigation tool ( an Elemnt Bolt v2) then took the superb cycle-path over the A10 to get to Cedars Park in Cheshunt. The park used to be the grounds of Theobalds Palace built in the times of Henry VIII, and the cafe occupies a former orangery, but we sat outside after grabbing the only remaining unoccupied picnic table. 

Cedars café

The food and drinks were surprisingly cheap and came very quickly. The gluttons among us ordered full breakfasts, which came in polystyrene boxes with plastic cutlery, the others had rolls which were delivered paper bags with plastic windows, and the hot drinks were in paper cups with plastic tops, so no points were awarded for sustainability.

Theobalds Palace model

After leaving the cafe we headed north via Cheshunt High Street where we noticed that the King James JD Wetherspoon pub had been closed down. 

Bayford junction

We continued on our return journey via Brickendon where we encountered a half-mile queue of cars attempting to get onto the common which was hosting a well-attended fete, and then another half-mile queue trying to do the same thing from the opposite direction (from Bayford). Although we felt very smug cycling past the static cars in the queues, again nil points could be awarded for sustainability (or air quality.)

At Bayford we said good-bye to Ronny, hopefully not for the last time, as he will be moving from Stevenage to south west Cambridgeshire. Four of us continued,  crossing our outward route near Epping Green and travelling along Grubb's Lane where our leader, Philip, an avid reader of The Sun 40 years ago (and maybe still) paused outside the cottage Samantha Fox owns, to sadly contemplate what might have been. Afterwards,  he silently led us back via the longabout and the Alban Way.

Steve B