15th February 2006

It was an impressive turn-out at Kingston yesterday and we were again made most welcome on our second visit to this splendid venue. We too welcomed Stephanie and Gino and hope they enjoyed their day with us, and will be joining us again whenever they are able to (Stephanie teaches and Gino is looking to move to Hove). I had the great privilege of introducing Gino to Toni - they had both left their native Italia in their youth to forge UK careers and have resided close to each other in Sutton for years, but hadnot bumped into each other until today - when they made up for it - not quite literally!

Talk turned to our CTC Birthday rides (at Dumfries, Brian, not in Dieppe, dear) and, as usual, there seems to be quite a bit of interest. I have B&B accommodation at http://www.torbaylodge.co.uk/, which is ideally situated for anyone travelling by train. I see too, that the Dieppe Raid 22-24Jun06 details are available at http://www.dieppetour.com/ and no doubt another Sou'Westers contingent will again be challenging for prizes.

'A' Ride report by Frank C:
Looking or listening to the weather report on Tuesday evening as I guess all Wayfarer's do, I was prepared to lead a small group of diehards on a very wet and windy ride for the day. However, the day dawned bright if breezy, therefore 19, I think, comprising Bob, Brian, Rob, Grant, Graham, Irene, Tony, Vic, Steve, Pete M, Jake, Ray D, Ray H, Robin, Ed, Gino and Mike M left the excellent 11's at Bradbury Active Age Centre, Grange Road after enjoying free tea and cakes kindly donated by Bernard celebrating his birthday. We negotiated the cobbled area of Market Place, over the Thames north bound and right into Church Grove and Sandy Lane, on entering Bushy Park the main gates were closed for the long overdue resurfacing taking place, the pedestrian gates each side halved the delay and we were quickly on our way with the finished surface to ourselves.
Exiting at the West side of the park near Pantile Bridge there was a little jiggle and on the A312 for two hundred yards to bear left along the alternative back road of Hanworth Road, over the A316 via the very circular (I counted two circles then got giddy) cycle path, and continued the west side of Hanworth Park to Feltham. 'O' the changes since I was born there in 1940. From Bedfont Lane we crossed the Staines Road for more cycle paths across the Longford and Duke of Northumberland Rivers. From here it was the usual route via Stanwell, Stanwell Moore over the M25 for lunch at the Five Bells at Horton, Bob S. of course chose an alternative ale house for lunch, but, for the rest of us, the service was as usual excellent with very little delay and friendly staff. After lunch, and still dry, we had a wind assisted ride via Sunnymeads, Wraysbury, Hythe End and Staines Town. It was here I requested local expert Irene to come to the front to guide us to view her future new home, right on the towpath of the Thames. Continuing from here along the tow path numbers were diminishing to make their separate ways home, therefore eight of us had tea at the bakery in Shepperton.

Hello Brian (writes Terry)
I led Carole, Gill, Judy, Stephanie, Bernard, Cliff, Ed, Frank H, Ian, Jon, Johns M and S, Les, Mike and Norman to Kingston bridge then onto the towpath to Hampton Court (quite good) to Walton bridge (quite puddly) from where we took to the road to Weybridge. Alongside the Wey Navigation to Addlestone then via Green Lane to join the A320 (very briefly), Hardwick lane and Almners Lane to lunch at The Marine at Lyne. This was a new pub to us and we did well - they only had a handful of customers before we arrived but the kitchen coped pretty well. After lunch we headed south, turning onto the B3121 (Addlestone road) at the Ottershaw roundabout, then turning into Hare Hill and via Woodham (Faris Lane) to cross the Basingstoke Canal at Woodham Lock. Through West Byfleet we headed for tea at Watson's at Ripley. Some carried on non stop, after tea the remainder were riding along Wisley runway when there was a nasty metallic cracking noise - Bernard's saddle mounting bolt had snapped. He managed to ride to Cobham cycle shop where he was happy to be left and possibly catch a train back to his car. A pleasant ride, a bit wet from Hampton Court bridge to Walton Bridge, fortunately the promised rain held off, but I expect everyone had a lot of cleaning up to do!

Hi Brian It was Stephanie Wyatt who was allowed out to play today as it was half-term at her school. Also, it was good to see Mark (Roy) out today. He has been busy looking after his wife, who has recently had a brain operation and is now suffering from thyroid problems. Mark came
part way on our 'C' group ride today, then turned back home. Hope to see him out next week; and hope his wife is feeling much better. Lynda.

Allan writes:
I found myself appointed diarist halfway through this ride! So, unaccustomed as I am, here goes. We met at the Bradley Active Age Centre in Kingston and were agreeably surprised to be treated to a free tea and slice of homemade cake (Many Happy Returns, Bernard!). On a beautiful spring-like morning Roger led Mark, Phil, Ron, Dave, Denis, Lynda, Beryl, Harold, John and myself through the Market Place and over Kingston Bridge heading for West End village, Esher. We proceeded through a blissfully traffic-free Bushey Park to emerge opposite the Lion Gate after which the peace was shattered by the thrills (thankfully no spills) of Hampton Court Bridge. Onward through East Molesey where Harold noted the old Summer Road ford of youthful memory and I simultaneously spotted a young woman emerging from her front door in a revealing dressing gown - which also stirred youthful memories. Ember Lane brought us eventually to the environs of Esher and thus to a path crossing the edge of Molesey Heath where we able to make our way on the level and traffic free to Hersham. Thence by Lammas Lane to West End where some of us lunched at a crowded Prince of Wales - thanks for getting us there early, Roger - and some took sandwiches on the green.
After lunch we retraced our steps by a similar route to East Molesey where I departed, leaving the others to take tea in the sun close by Hampton Court Bridge. If you are reading this Albert, hurry back. You and your literary skills are missed. Allan

Our proposed visit to Littlehampton in June or September has hit a wobbly as the YHA hostel will be running YHA's escape 2 scheme and this involves booking the whole hostel. We could do B&B for about £28 pppn, if this has appeal 21-22 June is favourite and the format would be to ride (8am start N Cheam 21Jun06) to Horsham as programmed and a split thereafter.
Littlehampton bound riders would continue south and others would continue the day-leader's route. Thursday's ride out from Littlehampton would be followed by return on Friday. I am trying to gauge interest for this possibility, so please let me know either way.