Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Sunday 29th March 2009

From Mike:


A few hours into the change to summer time and four of us – Jeff, Keith, Norman and Mike – set off for Oxted after a somewhat nippy ride to North Cheam. After collecting Pete B at the Midday Sun pub, Woodmansterne, Farthing Downs seemed to promise a fine spring day. Through Bletchingly, and some thought we might be going for a jaunt along the M25 but instead we chose the cycle path alongside the A25 for the short stretch to Oxted. Mike punctured, a little sharp stone in the front tyre, along the road to the station. At Morrisons we met Andy and Bob and were soon joined by Steve.

Setting off for Chiddingstone, a chill in the air, not to mention gathering nimbostratus, proved that the weather was not up to expectations. No matter, pretty Merle Common and the little roads round Haxted, and no hills, sped us on our way. Through Edenbridge into fine countryside round Hever and before too long we were cycling alongside the castle moat. The Landlord at the Castle Inn is clearly a motor-racing fan; on a previous visit the Spanish Grand Prix was on the TV, this time it was not long before the TV was switched on for the Australian race, the first of the season which had of course already taken place earlier that morning. After a leisurely spell at the pub – there is an extra hour of daylight now – we set off for Woldingham and, of course, hills up past Chartwell and then from Westerham to Botley Hill. From there it was downhill all the way to a warm welcome at the pleasant garden centre.

Mike

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