At Surbiton Station Jeff stood out amongst a throng of passengers. Then Andy appeared but not in time to purchase our tickets as all the booking windows closed without notice at 0925! After the mad dash for the DIY machines, it was no surprise when the platform announcer told us the train had been delayed. At Woking Irene and Pam joined and so five detrained at Hook for our Tour Of North Hampshire. The motorway road was closed to all but ourselves and an errant LOL (little old lady) motorist. Soon we were heading through Greywell where the Basingstoke Canal ends. After five miles Conkers GC saw us joining Bob and Pete as the only occupants of its cafe.
It was not a great day for navigators. Andy led us past Basing House to join NCN23 in Basingstoke; a curious route but only when we headed south back into Old Basing were my shouts heeded and we reversed. At a fork beyond Bramley NCN23 went left and we went right to a photo shoot at the ford beside Clapper's Farm (651616). By now the skies were darkening and cloaks were donned as we encircled Calleva's walls. Pete soon peeled off for Mortimer West End but everyone else was up for The Big Sister and Molly. In driving rain we swept west into Tadley where a call beside the Treacle Mine forewarned of our coming. To broaden Jeff's experience, we took in AWE to arrive around 1330hours. After a hurried lunch of soup and rolls we were off past Baughurst church and first left down a delightful lane which ended back in Tadley! - an embarassing detour of 3+ miles. Next we took the second left (200 yards beyond the first) to Charter Alley. After a brief but busy A430 sprint, we entered Elm Park GC Pamber End for a prearranged meeting with Bob, though no time for tea. At Bramley End I punctured waving on the rest. After a quickish change and a long chase along NCN23 and through Newnham, I caught them (on Hook platform). Around 37.5 miles including those detours.
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