A Group, 4 August

Cobham - Rowhook - Tanhouse Farm

Today’s ‘A’ group consisted of a round (figuratively, not literally) dozen. Present were Frank, Simon, Vic, Jeff, Mark, Simon, Toni, Graham, Ray, Brian, John B and Rob.

The name of the game today was ‘Dodge the Rain’, which finally arrived to put an end to our recent drought. Our route from Cobham was due South to Rowhook, via Effingham, followed by a long ascent to the top of White Down, where Frank and Vic peeled off, and where our first spell of lightish rain started. The descent of White Down in the wet was a bit tricky, but without mishap. Continuing on past the ‘Volunteer’ pub, and Holmbury St Mary, there was a gentle descent to Forest Green, and a straightforward run through Walliswood into Rowhook, where the ‘Chequers’ awaited us, complete with its recent addition of a well stocked vegetable garden.

The heavens opened while we were at lunch, demonstrated by Pete M’s dripping appearance, but with impeccable timing the sun had emerged by the time we set off once again. The way back was through Oakwoodhill, Weare Street and Capel, though we were a couple of miles short of our tea destination at Tanhouse Farm, when the rain returned again, precipitating a spectacular burst of acceleration to avoid the worst of it. Thunder provided a musical accompaniment to tea, where we managed to demolish a substantial banana cake, the final gargantuan ‘slice’ being claimed by John.

Once again, the rain had stopped by the time we left to go our separate ways, though I encountered a further sharp shower on Epsom Downs, which hopefully will help to resurrect the arid wasteland which passes for my front lawn.

I covered 60 miles in all.

Rob