Nine stalwart Loiterers sped west in the bright sunshine of a bitterly cold December morning – how the frost crackled under our tyres as our ears grew as cold “as a frog in an ice-bound pool”. The Bucks golf course was in chaos but we hammered through to Denham ( with stops for John C & TEC Bernie ) what a picture box village it is – on up the long rectory lane ( with stops for John C and TEC ) dappled sunshine through the trees. The church hall at C St P was full to bursting with good ladies but we secured some tables and coffees and cakes before the hoards of Short Riders arrived. It was good to get warm again and talk to old non riding Loiterers – sadly Woodford, in pushing his chair back, managed to upset an entire table-full of coffees and elderly ladies - no finesse at all ! On down Welder’s Lane - ( with stops for John C and TEC ) – into Amersham - ( with stops for John C and TEC ) climbing beyond the Red Lion and the dangerous right turn – here we lost John C completely for a while and as the leader was calling for a vote on whether we all cycled back or onwards, he reappeared ( slowly ) – a huge haul uphill through country lanes to Coleshill – we paused opposite cottages on the right and the wonderfully bell shaped tree on the left waiting for ( OK you’ve got it ) but no-one knew the tree’s significance ?!?!?! Must be researched for a future NL. A super swoop down to the Harte & Magpie where rabbit pie and other delicacies were eaten and pints of foaming Tring Ale quaffed ( Side Pocket for a Toad ) Glasses were raised to Steve and other absent friends. Bit of a climb up Bottrell’s Lane and into GX where the leader lost his way for a mile or so – but eventually home down the old A40 with a stop for some at the Swan & Bottle ( revamped ) We were so lucky to be out in the fresh ( but cold ) air. Captain Morgan (nobby lectures to the crowned heads of Europe)