B’s 8^th May

The weather forecast was not good but for the few of us who gathered at New Haw we started out with a glimmer of sunshine. Most of the showers we encountered by luck took place while we were having lunch or tea. We were joined by Patrick for his first outing with us.

From the Day Centre we made our way on to the Basingstoke Canal at Woking and left it at Brookwood to go to Pirbright. We stopped at the parish church there to view the grave of Henry Morton Stanley (as in “Dr Livingstone, I presume” – see Wikipedia for the full story).

Thence it was up and over Tunnel Hill to the accompaniment of the Army shooting at targets and by the sounds of things they were using more than just rifles. Then over the canal and into Ash Vale for lunch at The Swan.

On such a dull damp day the pub was not busy and we were served very promptly. Afterwards we made our way south through Ash to Tongham to turn east and start our ride back towards home. The route to Guildford comprised a disused railway, green lanes and bridle paths (including the Christmas Pie Trail) through Ash Green, Flexford, Wanborough and Wood Street Village. Going over Broadstreet Common enabled us to transit Guildford through the Surrey Research Park, past the Hospital, through the University and up Guildford High Street to join the main road for the run to the garden centre at East Horsley – around 31 miles coffee to tea.

Then it was home for a quick hose down in the garden – bike not rider!

My thanks to Tim for the map and being TEC on the day and to the corner markers – very necessary in the afternoon.

Peter T