2023 Jan 4th Neil's A group report - the colour supplement

Weds 4 Jan - this was a great route, making it a joy to start the 2023 calendar of rides.
Our group, Patrick, Janice, Andy H., Dave W. Dave V. and backmarker Hans (thks) set off last, on time. Ride conditions were mostly free of rain, and a bit windy. At Old Woking I pointed out the cycle shop and genuine Italian cafe which had helped us out on the recce; not so useful: the cycle shop was closed this Wednesday.  

Coming to Guildford area the gradients kicked in, on Warren Road we had caught up with the other groups. I knew up ahead was One Tree Hill. Earlier checks found the only local history on it was a 1912 photo..

So I caught up with Dave B., explained, and quizzed, off the top of your head can you give me a line from U2's song One Tree Hill? A brief pause, "The Moon is up and over One Tree Hill". Truely he is our living rolling music encyclopedia!

We descended Halfpenny Lane, I pointed out the military pillbox in the field on the left..

behind this is Chillworth Manor, we took a detour left along Blacksmith Lane to view the manor.  

A week before I had walked the area, I related the info they show about the vineyard in the next field, including the use of spraying water on the vines as a protection measure against frost (What!!??). 

A little further on is access to the Chillworth Gunpowder Mills.

A few of us rode a short way along the trail to see the four millstones, about 3 tons each, the extensive water channels and remains of buildings, and the dragons teeth. 

It's a rewarding area for a proper walk. Also search Chillworth Gunpowder Mills on Google or Komoot for gpx routes. 

Lunch was good. Dave Vine made the brave choice of South African farmers sausage. On the recce I had asked about it and was told yes its like billtong, so I had something else. 

After the lunch-with-chips Coombe Lane was surprisingly ok, then the welcome long descent. We arrived at Leatherhead with another group, it seemed too many of us for our usual Amici cafe, so we few tried the Italian delicatessen/cafe approximately opposite Wetherspoons.
It's not welcoming from the outside, but inside we found its a real gem. Quirky: a full size antique horse inside(!?). Very good coffee and a great range of Italian cakes. And, a novel display of wine bottles, enticing us back for a summer revisit.