Sunday 18th July 2010

As I left, it was overcast with unheralded spots of rain but soon improved. The last of surburbia were Fetcham and the Bookhams; next we rode up the once feared Dirtham Lane and down Combe Bottom to Shere's Lucky Duck where a baker's dozen sunbathed. The road from Farley Green up to Winterfold led us past an intrepid though timorous bunny squatting in the road. Cranleigh was reached just after noon. Here Irene and John G opted for a shortcut; the rest were made of sterner stuff. After Clarkson's Dunsfold, it was across the border at Durfold Wood and the descent to the Marie Celeste, actually the Ye Old Sun Inn in Plaistow. It was open but no staff(!), customers and "no food at weekends" meant our morning was not yet over. We sped past Iford, like Durfold Wood, a relict of the 30s when large estates could be sold off easily for weekend/holiday homes.
Lunch was beside the Wey & Arun at a crowded Onslow Arms in Loxwood. Industrial archaeology is not C&M's forte so the return was all tarmac. Rudgwick and Oakwoodhill led on to Weare Street where the dappled sunlight and a poor surface made for interesting riding. One final act was to rejoin Irene and John for Capel's legendary tea and cakes. Around 75 miles door to door.