Ouch!

Ten miles into our Monday outing, Gordon - poor chap - was stung on the face by a wasp. Stout fellow that he is, he pedalled on and, by the time we pulled in for coffee at El Cafecito, he had quite recovered his composure.

Otherwise, it was a pleasant ride and we clocked up some 25 miles zigzagging our way around the nearby villages.

For the record, the turnout was: Alan, Chris, Jeremy, Brummie Brian, and poor old Gordon - who took it on the chin (or more precisely, the cheek).

A 25 mile, back and forth route taking in Whittlesford, Newton, Thriplow, Fowlmere, Foxton, Fowlmere, Chrisall Grange, Duxford, Whittlesford and Sawston

Dodging the showers

The forecast was for heavy showers, but we thought we'd take our chances; Alan, Gordon, Jenny, Jeremy and Brian, hoping for the best but dressing for the worst.

The gamble paid off; it did rain - but only while we were safely inside the café at Burwash Manor. And judging by the flooded roads we encountered in Harston it must have been quite a downpour.

Miraculously, we stayed dry, despite tempting fate by stopping for a picture in Haslingfield churchyard.

The graveyard shift: Brian, Jeremy, Gordon and Jenny at All Saints, Haslingfield. Note the sunshine!

25 miles clockwise: Shelford - Newton - Harston - Haslingfield - Harlton - Eversden - Kingston - Toft - Hardwick - Comberton - Barton - Haslingfield - Harston - Hauxton - Shelford

Wildlife photography

Chris, Gordon, Jeremy, Lewis and two Brian's set off on a sunny August Monday, destination Willingham and the excellent café there at the auction rooms.

Along the way, Jeremy managed to creep up on - and photograph - a heron at close range, quite a feat in hi-viz lycra. We speculated it might be one of those plastic herons you can buy in garden centres but - as you will see below - it was real enough.

Ardea cinerea, the grey heron to you and me, fishing in the Cam

31 miles clockwise: Shelford - Trumpington - Grantchester - Grange Rd - Eddington - Girton - Oakington - Longstanton - Willingham - Rampton - guided busway - Chesterton - Riverside - Cambridge Station - busway - Shelford