The attractions of time trialling led to slightly reduced numbers leaving Cobham on the stroke of 11 (after our group photo) for the Blue Ship at The Haven. We were fourteen: Pam, Frank H, Bob, Toni D'I, Graham, Ian, John B and John S, Pete B, Ed S, Rob, Vic, Steve and Julian. Our route was more or less due south, through Effingham Jn, up and over Whitedown, the longish drag up to Holmbury St Mary and then through Ewhurst Green (where the leader, deep in discussion of string theory, missed a turning and nearly caused a pile-up), Ellens Green and Rudgwick. The weather was glorious, the countryside looked fresh and green and pheasants were running around.
Our arrival at the Blue Ship was greeted by an anguished cry from the waitress that we should have rung ahead, how could we possibly expect, etc, etc which she repeated ad lib during our stay. Despite that, the food came reasonably swiftly, the beer was excellent and sitting in the garden so enjoyable that it was difficult to tear ourselves away and take the rough track to Gibbons Mill (the track was very dry, but some walking proved necessary to avoid ruts and horses hoof holes) and then head towards home.
At some point between the A281 crossing and Baynards, the group unintentionally split, both sections following roughly the same Surrey Cycle Way route towards home through Capel and Newdigate. Pam, Graham, Ian, Ed, Vic and Julian had tea at Denbies (while Pete set off straight for home). John S phoned later to say that the other, faster group of Bob, Toni, Frank, Rob and John S aimed for Leatherhead for tea, with one or two peeling off en route, leaving John B and Steve's whereabouts unknown.
Mileages will have been fairly high. John S did 87 and I clocked up 64.
Julian
Our arrival at the Blue Ship was greeted by an anguished cry from the waitress that we should have rung ahead, how could we possibly expect, etc, etc which she repeated ad lib during our stay. Despite that, the food came reasonably swiftly, the beer was excellent and sitting in the garden so enjoyable that it was difficult to tear ourselves away and take the rough track to Gibbons Mill (the track was very dry, but some walking proved necessary to avoid ruts and horses hoof holes) and then head towards home.
At some point between the A281 crossing and Baynards, the group unintentionally split, both sections following roughly the same Surrey Cycle Way route towards home through Capel and Newdigate. Pam, Graham, Ian, Ed, Vic and Julian had tea at Denbies (while Pete set off straight for home). John S phoned later to say that the other, faster group of Bob, Toni, Frank, Rob and John S aimed for Leatherhead for tea, with one or two peeling off en route, leaving John B and Steve's whereabouts unknown.
Mileages will have been fairly high. John S did 87 and I clocked up 64.
Julian
Photos from Pam.
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