Dec 27th

Emerging from seasonal over-indulgence, we were pleased to find at Garson's Farm yesterday morning a very fit looking and ebullient Steve Bott - bikeless and taking time out from visiting his sister in Kingston.

Tom Fish, too - with bike. Harold is taking Tom to Cobham next week - along with a variety of unmissable bargains.

It's subscription time too, next week - £5 will cover subs (£3, including £1 for SWLDA) and £2 deposit on our 07Mar07 anniversary meal at the Cap in Hand, Hook (A3xA243). Choose from JDW menu later.

From Suzanne Lyndon in Sydney: Merry Christmas to you Brian, Frank and other Wayfarers. I hope to ride with you again in 2007.

Not many bargain hunters found their way to Garson’s Farm on this dullish but mild morning (writes Graham). We were similarly underrepresented so only one group headed off for greener pastures. Graham, Bob, Brian, Ed, Irene, Jake, Pete, Steve and Toni made up its “A” section. Les, Lynda, Norman, Terry and newish-comer Ed Nolan were the “B” component, with C&M providing Ann Bath and Keith Rook to complete the roster. From the old A3, the route went via Fairmile Lane (now with illuminating “Slow Down” signs) into Leigh Hill Road. Crossing over with difficulty into Tilt Road we went off-road to Downside and over Bookham Common. On the far side it was back to the hard stuff - Meadowside and other back roads to Fetcham. Today the Mill Pond featured a cormorant as well as the usual ducks, geese and swans. Finally it was up into Leatherhead town centre and the Edmund Tylney. Here Ed N headed for home and Ann and Jake who had opted for an on-road route from Downside rejoined. For once, Wetherspoons service was disappointing - Les winning narrowly with an hour-long wait! Ed S nobly stepped forward as host for an unscheduled tea stop, which left the leader unprepared. Fortunately Steve (and others) knew the M25 footbridge route into Ashstead. Its level crossing and common led to Stamford Green from where Ed led us to tea. Six was the number with newcomers treated to a tour of his fine models.