A Group 8th January 2014

 Cobham - Mugswell - Ashtead Park

 

Outside the Well House Inn at  Mugswell

As the rains fell and flood levels rose, I wondered if I had been wise to accept Paul's offer of the leader's silver chalice. But with blue skies, bright sunshine and the mildest of breezes, some eighteen or so were impatient and eager to set sail from Cobham Harbour, fortified by welcome birthday cakes provided  by Dave V. We were lucky that the seemingly ubiquitous flood waters of the grumpy Mole had receded enough to allow us free passage along River Hill and Mill Road all the way to Leatherhead.  Here Canute had at last managed to work his magic and we were able to pass the recently flooded Leisure Centre and cross the bridge up Bridge St without getting our feet wet. From this point on the strategy was altitude; the higher we went, the further away the water. So we passed the former Royal School for the Blind (now flats), then Headley Court (not yet flats) and topped out at the head of Pebble Hill, for the fun of swooping down past Betchworth Station, where some were rudely halted in mid-career at the level crossing.

Betchworth Bridge

Reunited, we then circumnavigated the Mole, with too little time to admire the flooded Betchworth Bridge and Wonham Lane, both possible route options that had been closed off. At Buckland, our only option was the A25 to Reigate, followed by the A242 to Wray Common, where a near riot erupted when the leader ignored Wray Lane to choose Gatton Park Rd. Disgruntlement turned to bewilderment when the leader stopped at an inconspicuous entrance to a bridleway, left the tarmac and pointed upwards. A somewhat stony track, mottled but not fully carpeted with puddles, though soft in places,  led up to the Royal Alexandra & Albert School. All that remained was to cllimb up past Fanny's Farm Shop and down White Hill to the independent 16th Century Well House Inn at Mugswell. Outside it may not look its best in the depths of winter, but can be glorious in summer. Inside a warm welcome, log fires, a cosy atmosphere, a good selection of beers (Shere Drop a favourite of mine) and food served promptly.

After lunch, a lack of time meant a shortened route to tea. A quick jaunt through Tadworth, past Epsom Grandstand (where some branched off) and down Langley Vale to the Ashtead Park Garden Centre in Pleasure Pit Road. A pleasant venue for tea and cake before, still in daylight,  all set off for home, which hopefully they reached before the faintest of drizzles turned to rain, after what for me was a distance of 44 miles and more than a half century for others. My grateful thanks to Dave and Mark for  sharing TEC duties and so efficiently keeping us all together.

Jeff