On a gloriously warm, sunny and virtually windless morning I led Gill, Bernard, Cliff, Nev and Norman from Newlands Corner east along the Drove Road to Combe Lane whence we plummeted down Combe Bottom to the A25. After crossing it we saw Deanne in the distance (towards Guildford) - she had left NC after us. Down Rectory Lane and either through or bypassing the ford brought us into Shere and then the climb south. After crossing the railway line we turned left and headed for Peaslake via Lawbrook Lane then cycled down Walking Bottom. Leaving Peaslake on Ewhurst Road we passed the elegant Duke of Kent school and soon arrived at Ewhurst. Here we paused for a few moments (while Cliff's legs recovered) and considered how fortunate we were to be far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife. Soon we arrived at The Punchbowl at Oakwood/Okewood Hill where a pint of draught Stowford Press worked wonders for Cliff. Deanne joined us briefly but had to get back to celebrate a friend's birthday. After a delicious lunch outside we headed east and soon joined Weare Street, sadly too late for the bluebells. Towards the end of WS we turned off and used the railway level crossing, getting a friendly toot from the driver of an Up Slow. A short off-road stretch led to the roundabout at Clark's Green, then on to Capel and Newdigate. A rather pot-holed Cudworth Lane led us past the well concealed (by foliage) moated Cudworth Manor, then left to Parkgate and Brockham, along Coach Road to Dorking and Denbies cakes. Norman had become aware of an intermittent bottom bracket? problem but decided to carry on gently via railway stations 'just in case'. Bernard had a rear puncture on the cycle track before reaching Leatherhead but a replacement tube was soon fitted. Rather worryingly the cause wasn't found but he reached home with no further problem. A great day out, I did 53 miles but I expect everyone else did much more.
I rang John Mason yesterday (Tuesday) - he has now been 'signed off' by his doctor and is back at work but must only do 'light duties' - the civilian equivalent of 'Excused Boots' perhaps (for the benefit of the ladies and our younger readers that is a military expression). He still has to go to Epsom Hospital and later St Thomas's for a check-up. He hopes to be able to get to 11s when there is one near home eg Cobham, Dorking or Leatherhead.
Terry
I rang John Mason yesterday (Tuesday) - he has now been 'signed off' by his doctor and is back at work but must only do 'light duties' - the civilian equivalent of 'Excused Boots' perhaps (for the benefit of the ladies and our younger readers that is a military expression). He still has to go to Epsom Hospital and later St Thomas's for a check-up. He hopes to be able to get to 11s when there is one near home eg Cobham, Dorking or Leatherhead.
Terry
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