As usual the AGM left little time for the ride. Tentatively I'd three pubs in mind and finally settled on one I hadn't tried before. From Hersham day centre we headed north towards the station and followed that renowned roughstuffer, Frank C, over the track between Esher Rugby Club and the sewage works. To avoid the gas repairs beside Thames Ditton railway station we sneaked along the path to Giggs Hill (what hill?) Green and The Angel. Several zigzags took us through "Queen Of The Suburbs" bits of Surbiton then down Kingsdowne Road into Berrylands. After the Hogsmill river crossing, right and left (just before Woodies) turns meant New Malden town centre was close. After more gas repairs and at around one fifteen, eighteen bikes were chained to railings whilst their owners disappeared into The Watchman aka Wetherspoons.
Given the time of year and our location, it was no surprise when only eight needed further refreshment. From the High Street, we cut through the Norbiton estate, round the back of the station to join the Olympic road race course just before Kingston Gate. Soon we were descending out of Ham Gate and heading across Teddington Lock. Tea was at The Pheasantry in Bushy Park. This has trebled in size since my last visit; no doubt fully financed by eye-watering profits from its drinks and cakes. Plenty of autumnal colour in the parks; bright and warm at least until the sun began to set.
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