Sunday, 16 January

Oxted and Wasp Green

Graham, John G, Keith, Andrew and I set off from North Cheam on a windy day, heading for Oxted. We followed a route that I had set up on my Garmin sat-nav through Banstead, Chipstead, Woldingham and on to Morrisons. There we met Mike Morley, Ian Appleton and Jeff. There was now an unscheduled Dr Bike session, as Mike M's rear mech. cable had given up the unequal struggle en route. For some reason, despite encouragement, he was unwilling to spend the rest of the day on the smallest sprocket. Ian produced a suitable cable from his horn of plenty and Mike then carried out the necessary embroidery.

Andrew and Mike F left us here as we set off for the Bell at Outwood on some lovely, quiet country lanes. We bypassed Old Oxted via Woodhurst Lane and Spring Lane to go through Crowhurst, Blindley Heath, and Horne to find the Bell very crowded with nowhere to sit. A unanimous decision took us swiftly to the much more welcoming nearby Castle at Wasp Green. After lunch, the group decided to forego the temptations of Annie's ample welcome and part company, with each taking his own way to try and reach home before dark.

Paul