A group of ten left Cobham and headed east with the wind at our backs following the usual route across Bookham Common, skirting Fetcham and past the Mill Pond into Leatherhead for lunch at Wetherspoons.
After lunch we went via the path past the station onto the Kingston Road and over and under at junction 9 of the M25, headed north on the cyclepath at the side of the main road and turned right to ride the boundary path at the north of Ashtead Common. Took a peak at the Great Stew Pond (pic) - a heron, a shag/cormorant? in view. Both the small and the great Stew Ponds were dug out by monks at the time that this land was owned by Chertsey Abbey, lots of fish were fattened and stewed.
It was then decided to head for Ewell Day Centre rather than Chessington (as I had not reccy'd the route across Horton Pk and weather was turning). Ron lead this section through a series of meandering paths skirting the old admin block for the hospital before arriving at the day centre just in time for tea. A very warm welcome, the lady in charge came to speak to us and encouraged us to spread the word, all these centres are open to over 55s and if we don't use them we'll lose them. Some in the London area are charging £2 admissions and are asking old folks to pay memberships if they want to visit regularly.
Thanks to everyone for an enjoyable day and not a drop of rain, thanks to Mike and Ron for additional route variations (the wonderful thing about the easyriders is that they know where you're going when you don't) and to Roger for back-marking.
Steph
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