A Group - Teddington, Ash, Newlands Corner. 15th May

Well, we didn't get to watch the Giro at the Giro cafe, but enjoyed tea in the sunshine at Newlands Corner instead, (more later).

Tea at Newlands Corner.

And the Lion Brewery pub was a misnomer because it wasn't really a brewery, (and it certainly wasn't a gasto pub), but hey, at those prices what do you expect?

A bit better you'll probably say!

Lunch - surrounded by pigeon lofts enclosing the pub  patio.

Nineteen turned out from Teddington, and over the Thames we crossed over the defunct Hurst Park Race Course: (many of us were around before it closed in 1962). 6 furlongs on along Hurst Road Tesco's has replaced the finishing-post and the grandstand went to Mansfield Town FC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurst_Park_Racecourse

The least said the better about lunch - but Mike, the most spritely 80 year old landlord, kept us amused with his Northern banter.

Some of the 16 at the Lion Brewery.

Most of the hills were left till after lunch - up from Normandy to the Hogs Back, then up again from Compton to the old trackway at Sunnydown. Its a lovely fast descent into Guildford - once you hit the tarmac at the Mount. A more modest climb took us up One Tree Hill Road, and White Lane, before finding the hidden bridlepath and the Old Drove Road at Albury Downs. Unfortunately Christina punctured, but a willing puncture-repair teacher (Geoff), was on-hand with the necessary tuition.

Tea at Esher's Giro cafe was abandoned because of the delay, but most seemed happy to sit in the sun at Newlands Corner and enjoy the panoramas. 

Thanks to Mike (B) for back marking (to Old Woking) and for Neil thereafter.

Next time I'll test the kitchen before choosing the lunch stop!