B group 4th July

With Tim being unavoidably absent, I collected everybody's menu choices, phoned them through and led sixteen Wayfarers to Effingham. I took a slight risk in riding up Dog Alley but the two specimens we saw obviously haven't been trained yet - they ignored us. Briefly westwards on the A246 before turning into Greendene and passing the end of Honeysuckle Bottom. The late Bob Symes lived here for many years and had a GWR based gauge 1 model railway in his extensive garden. When I passed by last week 'works' were occurring so I guess the railway is no more - or maybe he took it with him when he moved to Wales. At the top of Greendene Liz, Gill, Maureen and Ed left us and we descended to the A25 shortly turning into Upper Street then Rectory Lane but ignoring the ford. After the climb out of Shere we turned into Brook Lane, leading to Brook Hill and Farley Green. From here some of the going was downhill to our lunch venue at The Red Lion, Shamley Green. Here we enjoyed splendid meals, good service and had our own reserved tables alfresco round the back. A very pleasant stop.

After lunch Vic and Ian chose to make their own ways, and after discussion we decided to retrace our tyremarks to Shere. We headed for Dorking via Hook Lane, Burrows Cross, Hoe Lane, Water Lane and Sutton Lane. It was agreed to keep to the undulating lanes rather than shorten the journey by risking the A25, so we carried on along Abinger Lane, Leith Hill Lane then forking left onto Abinger Road leading to Coldharbour. For a change we sampled the delights of Logmore Lane - not to be repeated - your eyes are peeled for potholes you can't admire the view. Fifty five years ago I used to motorcycle along this lane before it was surfaced - it was in better condition then. Near the end of the lane we passed a horse drawn vehicle with the driver engaged in a chat on his mobile. Soon we were in Westcott, quickly crossed the A25 into Westcott Street before turning into Springfield Road and joining N22 to Dorking. By using backstreets we avoided rush hour traffic and soon arrived at The Musette cafe where the cakes were very popular. We then went our separate ways.

Thanks to all for company on a quite warm day and backmarker Colin - fortunately much of the ride was in the shade and there was negligible adverse wind.

Terry