Report for B Group - 24th August

Wayfarers Picnic in Brockham

 

Gruppo "Antipasti":

Suitably refreshed after coffee and cake at the Leatherhead Day Centre, the first group (led by Francis, with Gill, Paula, Lillian, Diane, Tim G and FixieDave) set off promptly for the 16 mile ride to MWW's annual picnic at Brockham, on a beautiful sun-kissed morning. Easy going route south of Brockham via Newdigate and off-road through the 'Ancient and Tranquil' Hammond's Copse.

A puncture and stubborn wheel nuts befell Paula near the end but FixieDave sorted it out magnificently! After a convivial picnic lunch, a choice of excursions to Betchworth Castle ruins led by Paul James and a climb to Box Hill with Christina and/or Tea in Leatherhead. All in all, a marvellous sunny annual picnic with MWW friends.

~ Francis

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Gruppo "Principal":

We had 27+ riders join B group for Leatherhead Fairfield DC to Brockham Pavilion for the Picnic. Many thanks to Tim C and Francis sub leading the ride, and for Paul James leading us to the Betchworth Castle after the picnic.  We also had Terry, Ken and Paul Day, Tony Hopkins, Pam Jones, Liz Bernard, Ray Youlden made their own way to the picnic. The sun shone upon us and a very good turn out, friends old and new shared picnic and chatted amicably. Thanks to Jennie for taking the sandwiches to the Brockham Pavillion, serving tea/coffee, washing and clearing with the helpers like Geoff Gregory, Frances Stewart and others. A very happy riding, picnicing and socialising day was had by all.

 

~ Christina

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Gruppo "Dolce":

With Tony back from his holiday and Grant making a surprise appearance our little group had grown to nine by the time we took off down the path towards Dorking. Christina's 17 mile route was carefully calibrated to take us on a most enjoyable ride without wearing anybody out, going almost as far as Parkgate before turning into Hammond's Copse for a comfort stop (for some of the blokes) and a jolly meander through the trees and along the Mynthurst Farm road before turning North through Leigh, Bunce Common and onward to the pavilion for our picnic. It was a great occasion for catching up with Wayfarers we don't often see. Thanks to Jennie and her helpers for planning and working hard to make the day a great success.

Despite the forecast of some showers around Brockham in the early afternoon we saw no sign of them at all and enjoyed a warm and bright summer's day. Paul kindly volunteered to take anyone who was interested up to the ruins of Betchworth Castle which had been built in the 14th century and eventually transformed into a ruin by a berk called Henry Hope during the 19th century. It seemed very strange that so many of us, myself included, had no idea that it was there. So we trundled across the golf course on our bikes and walked around the perimeter of the castle where we could take in a view over the River Mole and a big pond where a fisherman was having some success.

 

We dispersed after our history lesson, many heading for Box Hill, though at least two of us, Sue B and Anne W experienced punctures on the way home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

~ Tim C