Hello Wayfarers and friends
After two pretty atrocious Wednesdays, yesterday was as all-things-bright-and-beautiful as to be hoped for in January - it was one of those days that make this little corner of England as attractive as anywhere, fabulous as would appear many Holiday 2007 locations.
Added to that (or maybe because of that), 'A' and 'B' groups turned out in numbers not previously known for an "eastern" 11s venue, traditionally venues on or east of A23 being too far for mainstream SW London members.
We were boosted by the welcome return of Ken Preece and octogs Eric and Ned and also by new members Richard Hoskin and Mike Wakely, the last three named being mates enjoying a Redmon CC (aka Morden) connection. Welcome Richard and Mike - we enjoyed your company and hope it will be a regular occurrence.
Thanks to birthday boy Graham for the delicious Anita-baked apple pie - Graham had hoped to be at Merstham in time to buy 11s for both groups, but those 'A' members hanging on (literally, Ed) till tea were treated at Fanny's Farm instead - a very warm and kind gesture, Graham. Ten
years and one day younger, Stephen provided chocolate cakes for 'A' group at The Old House at Home, another lovely gesture for which many thanks too, Stephen.
What a perfect January outing. Ed's report and Ray's photos are at:
http://midweekwayfarers.blogspot.com/, where also on the website can be found rules for our annual DA photo competition, due for judging now, prior to awards at our 31Mar07 barn dance.
At tea someone remembered a special visit made several years back (when Steve Bott was Tsar) to Frogmore Royal Mausoleum in Windsor Great Park, on one of the few days that it opened to the public (free). That visit was a real special, in that it is the only Wayfarers ride I have taken part in on a Tuesday (plus, I met Babs), so I remember it well as a popular success.
I have checked the possibility of a return visit, to find that Frogmore Mausoleum is open similarly Wednesday 23Apr07, when 'C' group are expected for 11s at Molesey (where I've yet to visit), fitness freaks being due to go for 11s on the North Downs at Newland's Corner. I am asking regular riders to respond to the suggestion that 'A', 'B' and 'C' go to Molesey 23May07, then those that so wish, to Frogmore and Windsor. We could then postpone 'A' and 'B's visit to Newland's Corner to 13Jun07, for tea after our mid-summer early start for 11's at Horsham. All I ask is that you respond by preferring Molesey then Frogmore (Option 1), or Newlands Corner et al ('A' and 'B' groups, as programmed) (Option 2). If sufficient opt for Frogmore Mausoleum, we will go there 23May07; if sufficient opt for Newland's Corner 23May07, we may do both, an extra leader being tasked to lead from Molesey to Windsor.
Norman led a large 'B' group from Merstham to Leigh, where a leisurely lunch at The Plough was sufficient to recharge the batteries enough to get most to Annie's at Leatherhead for tea.
On the last day of January the weather was less cold and the sun was shining. We 'C' group had a very good turnout at Molesey. Several ladies were present including Lynda and Carole. Tom had also made the trip out and from those present we could have made up at least a couple of rides. In the event around twelve of us with Phil M leading set off for The Victoria at Woodham. Apart from me there was Mark, Harold, Bill, Dave, Robin, Fuzz, John Barrett, Roger and Ron. John C was there but I did not see him after the start.
The first part of the route took us into Rydens Road and The Halfway at Walton. At Sir Richards Bridge we took the footpath alongside the railway, at the end of which we turned left and made for Queens Road, Weybridge which we crossed into Princes Road and came out on Hanger Hill (an ancient Roman camp). On arriving at Weybridge rail station I lost sight of the others who were waiting over the bridge in Brooklands Lane. In earlier times (no, not olden) it was a cul-de-sac and I had never explored it. Now it introduced me to the first spot of the day's offroad. I just managed to stay upright as I followed their wheel tracks. At one stage we climbed some steep steps to cross double rail tracks where a stationary train was to our right.
Good old Harold insisted on lugging my bike over this obstacle. and after we had all got across the train continued on its journey seemingly having merely stopped for our benefit! After some more offroad we reached the Wey Navigation canal towpath then over the bridge to the towpath of the Basingstoke canal which just about took us all the way to the pub, After lunch and being on home ground I led off for the Woodham and New Haw Day Centre where the sandwich lads had gone. They did not follow me so I assumed they had pressed on to the tea rendezvous at The Greeno at Shepperton.
Five of us carried on in the Shepperton direction. We parted company in Addlestone and although they appeared to take a strange route, I am sure Phil had something up his sleeve! ------------------------------------------ Albert
After two pretty atrocious Wednesdays, yesterday was as all-things-bright-and-beautiful as to be hoped for in January - it was one of those days that make this little corner of England as attractive as anywhere, fabulous as would appear many Holiday 2007 locations.
Added to that (or maybe because of that), 'A' and 'B' groups turned out in numbers not previously known for an "eastern" 11s venue, traditionally venues on or east of A23 being too far for mainstream SW London members.
We were boosted by the welcome return of Ken Preece and octogs Eric and Ned and also by new members Richard Hoskin and Mike Wakely, the last three named being mates enjoying a Redmon CC (aka Morden) connection. Welcome Richard and Mike - we enjoyed your company and hope it will be a regular occurrence.
Thanks to birthday boy Graham for the delicious Anita-baked apple pie - Graham had hoped to be at Merstham in time to buy 11s for both groups, but those 'A' members hanging on (literally, Ed) till tea were treated at Fanny's Farm instead - a very warm and kind gesture, Graham. Ten
years and one day younger, Stephen provided chocolate cakes for 'A' group at The Old House at Home, another lovely gesture for which many thanks too, Stephen.
What a perfect January outing. Ed's report and Ray's photos are at:
http://midweekwayfarers.blogspot.com/, where also on the website can be found rules for our annual DA photo competition, due for judging now, prior to awards at our 31Mar07 barn dance.
At tea someone remembered a special visit made several years back (when Steve Bott was Tsar) to Frogmore Royal Mausoleum in Windsor Great Park, on one of the few days that it opened to the public (free). That visit was a real special, in that it is the only Wayfarers ride I have taken part in on a Tuesday (plus, I met Babs), so I remember it well as a popular success.
I have checked the possibility of a return visit, to find that Frogmore Mausoleum is open similarly Wednesday 23Apr07, when 'C' group are expected for 11s at Molesey (where I've yet to visit), fitness freaks being due to go for 11s on the North Downs at Newland's Corner. I am asking regular riders to respond to the suggestion that 'A', 'B' and 'C' go to Molesey 23May07, then those that so wish, to Frogmore and Windsor. We could then postpone 'A' and 'B's visit to Newland's Corner to 13Jun07, for tea after our mid-summer early start for 11's at Horsham. All I ask is that you respond by preferring Molesey then Frogmore (Option 1), or Newlands Corner et al ('A' and 'B' groups, as programmed) (Option 2). If sufficient opt for Frogmore Mausoleum, we will go there 23May07; if sufficient opt for Newland's Corner 23May07, we may do both, an extra leader being tasked to lead from Molesey to Windsor.
Norman led a large 'B' group from Merstham to Leigh, where a leisurely lunch at The Plough was sufficient to recharge the batteries enough to get most to Annie's at Leatherhead for tea.
On the last day of January the weather was less cold and the sun was shining. We 'C' group had a very good turnout at Molesey. Several ladies were present including Lynda and Carole. Tom had also made the trip out and from those present we could have made up at least a couple of rides. In the event around twelve of us with Phil M leading set off for The Victoria at Woodham. Apart from me there was Mark, Harold, Bill, Dave, Robin, Fuzz, John Barrett, Roger and Ron. John C was there but I did not see him after the start.
The first part of the route took us into Rydens Road and The Halfway at Walton. At Sir Richards Bridge we took the footpath alongside the railway, at the end of which we turned left and made for Queens Road, Weybridge which we crossed into Princes Road and came out on Hanger Hill (an ancient Roman camp). On arriving at Weybridge rail station I lost sight of the others who were waiting over the bridge in Brooklands Lane. In earlier times (no, not olden) it was a cul-de-sac and I had never explored it. Now it introduced me to the first spot of the day's offroad. I just managed to stay upright as I followed their wheel tracks. At one stage we climbed some steep steps to cross double rail tracks where a stationary train was to our right.
Good old Harold insisted on lugging my bike over this obstacle. and after we had all got across the train continued on its journey seemingly having merely stopped for our benefit! After some more offroad we reached the Wey Navigation canal towpath then over the bridge to the towpath of the Basingstoke canal which just about took us all the way to the pub, After lunch and being on home ground I led off for the Woodham and New Haw Day Centre where the sandwich lads had gone. They did not follow me so I assumed they had pressed on to the tea rendezvous at The Greeno at Shepperton.
Five of us carried on in the Shepperton direction. We parted company in Addlestone and although they appeared to take a strange route, I am sure Phil had something up his sleeve! ------------------------------------------ Albert
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