This was a day for trying to link up some of the bits we normally miss but I often use en route to elevenses as varied as Cobham, Redhill and Caterham. Sixteen of us set off from Cobham to Sandy Lane and then round the country edge of the Crown Estate on Stokesheath Road to Rushett Lane. We turned onto Epsom Common at the Stew Ponds and then after a brief stop at a Coal Post ( remembering the days when even England didnt have a single market!) continued to Ashtead on a finely surfaced track across the common. From here we crossed Ashtead Park and then climbed Farm Lane to Walton Road. A further long climb up Hurst Road brought us to Walton. We had to suffer a short stretch of the A217 to reach Chipstead Lane and then took Rectory Lane to reach the High Road and down past the site of Fanny's Farm to Gatton Bottom. From Rocky Lane we took the bridleway through Gatton Park - not a great surface but fine views. Here Hans punctured but swiftly retubed and soon we were all together again below Wray Common from whence it was only ten minutes to lunch at the Skimmington Castle where we were joined by Dave Vine.
Amazingly ( to me) none of the assembled company had ever heard of the pub, let alone visited it. We should certainly return as service was very prompt, the baguettes were excellent and in this era of pub closures it is amazing to find one that doesn't even need a sign at the end of the access road to attract custom.
After lunch we headed for Betchworth and then skirted south along Gadbrook Road and Red Hill to North Holmwood and Dorking. The long drag of Ranmore Road brought a few moans but Ray showed us how to do it at 90. We looped round via Hogden lane to Bookham and the final climb brought us to Polesden Lacey. By now we were down to seven with several having left to be home early and another four leaving us at Effingham. 39.6 miles from Cobham.
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