A Group 26th September

Both I and the weather forecasters had a Plan A and B on Tuesday and by Weds morning it was different again. So signs of brightness at Weybridge led me to stick with my Plan A. Only 9 of us were up for it and we set off optimistically with rain gear packed away. We made it through Addlestone, West Byfleet and beyond Pyrford before the rain set in and stopped just after Newark Bridge to don waterproofs. This was obviously more complicated for some than others and took a while but eventually we were off again down Polesden Lane to Send and then Potters Lane and the A3 to Burpham. Up Woodruff Avenue to go under the railway where Toni took a tumble on the old concrete slabs. Climbing Tangier Road it became clear that Jeff's fasting had left him short of calories so the climbs over St Martha's Hill to Chilworth and up to Blackheath became a bit drawn out. By now we had dried out a little and arrived at the Bricklayers Arms in Shamley Green just in time to avoid a downpour. Lunch was not the quickest and so it was 2.30 before we were away but at least the weather was improving. Heading for Cranleigh, Mark could not resist the lure of Barhatch Lane and headed north while we continued through Ewhurst Green to Holmbury St Mary. A regrouping stop by the Volunteer and no Jeff though there was a suggestion that he had been taking his wet weather gear off at the summit before Holmbury. No reply to a phone call so Toni and I headed back. Jeff called but then we lost the mobile signal only later to get the message that he was so revived by lunch that he had headed over Leith Hill. Seems he had told the back of the team of his plans but must have been misheard. By now the plan to go via Abinger and Donkey Lane to the A25 had to abandoned and so off along Raikes Lane we set.  At this inopportune moment I had a puncture! I sent the rest on for their just reward and arrived to join them, and Jeff, just before 5. An eventful but enjoyable day. 37 miles from Weybridge to Denbies.