Report for Easy Riders - 31st May

Elevenses at New Haw called for an early start and also presented the opportunity to seek out routes less familiar to the Easy Riders

It was overcast and unseasonably chilly as we set off but at least the wind was behind us. A first glimpse of sunshine showed the Coxes Lock Mill on the Wey Navigation at its magnificent best (the pic doesn’t really do it justice) and the sight demanded a brief stop.

The A and B groups were leaving as we arrived at the Day Centre – was it their or our good fortune that the bingo was just starting up? It’s a well-appointed centre and we were made very welcome, but conversation wasn’t easy versus the bingo caller’s microphone and we didn’t delay our departure.

We headed south through West Byfleet on Pyrford Road, gradually moving into open country. The imposing ruins of Newark Priory, built on a small island by the River Wey, came into view soon after turning towards Ripley. Wikipedia dates the priory back to the late 12^th century, but its days were numbered with Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries.

Having passed through Ripley and crossed over the A3 – giving the major works around Wisley airfield a wide berth – we passed by the idiosyncratic, redbrick Hautboy at Ockham. Originally a private residence, the Victorian Grade II Listed building was a pub for more than 100 years until closing in 2007 (more anecdotal information available on the Lost Pubs Project website). Sorry if this sounds like a history lesson!

Just up the road we had lunch at the Black Swan where the food was nice though a bit pricy. The sun finally showed its face during our break and we could enjoy the warmth (but not the headwind) on the homeward journey via Cobham. Road signs still warned of closure owing to flooding in Plough Lane but it was completely dry – hardly surprising given that it had not rained for three weeks.

Six of us set out from North Cheam, namely Frank Barnsley, Sandy Bayliss, Karen Cochrane, Anne and John Connaughton and myself. We were joined by Don Elms at elevenses.

~ Frank C