That was a great ride...a bit of a challenge for me , but fun. Many thanks to Simon for the impressive organisation and contingency route planning. Thanks too to all the selfless crew of way-markers and TECs.
The random encounters with The Youth in the early hours were a bit of a laugh. After about two and a half hours I was starting to fade on the gentle hills but Frank came alongside and gave me some kind words of encouragement, staying with me for quite a while. Chapeau to that man. The people at Stock did a grand job and it was fun to natter away to complete strangers in the warmth of their impressive village hall. It was a bit of wrench to leave, but what a wonderful few miles they were as we started off again. Dawn breaking, a low mist on the fields, and a glimpse of an old-style scarecrow though a gap in the hedge on the right, somewhere after the windmill. Great stuff.
As usual, I faded on the hills but was enormously grateful to all the other riders who urged me on. The Rose was a very welcome destination. Oh yes, sunshine too! Claudine unwrapping Katie's masterpiece was a Priceless (

) sight. I caught the train back to London , cycled home and drank a couple of beers as I ran a very hot bath. In I hopped, and promptly fell asleep. Ninety minutes later, I awoke wishing I had got in wearing some merino base layers.
Thank-you all you wonderful people.