We made a two pronged approach to Redhill Aerodrome, one from N.Cheam (Andy and Grant) and one from Tadworth (Stephanie and a coughing and spluttering Jeff). The Tadworth flight path was via Chipstead, Merstham and Cormongers Lane – a novelty to Steph, whose grandmother, I learned, was a customer of Fullers Earth. We converged on the aerodrome café and were joined one by one by a number of lone wolves. The mess was crowded, a magnet for the local constabulary, Epsom RC and a large party of breakfasters filling one room. The C&M contingent was: Steph, Andy, Bob, Daniel, Grant, Graham, Mike, Terry and Jeff.
With time for a bacon baguette and reflection on the next leg to lunch, all options seemed to offer an exhilarating ascent of the North Downs, to be missed by some with suddenly pressing domestic luncheon duties. Thus it was that nine became four, with Andy, Graham, Mike and Jeff heading off for them thar hills.
With Fickleshole not a million miles away there was no rush. After S. Nutfield we took two farm tracks: one licit – He
nshaw Farm, and one I am advised not so licit – Cuckseys Farm, to reach South Park Lane and up to Tilburstow Hill. Past Godstone Farm we took Love Lane and Bulbeggars Lane to Church Town, where we really should have paused to admire the exquisite St Mary’s Almshouses.
Our focus, however, was to cross the A25, A22 and M25 and embrace the swelling, sensuous contours of Gan
gers Hill. To a man they took our breath away and left us flushed and quivering at the summit. We then had time to gather our strength along The Ridge to Clarks Lane, a northward plunge down Beddlestead Lane and the sharp reminder of the power of gravity at Hesiers Hill. From here, it was no more that a tootle to our target, the White Bear at Fickleshole, where we arrived as the bell tolled one.
The pub was full of Sunday diners, but with not a sandwich in sight. Bread and soup met our simple needs. After lunch, Graham made an early start for home as the rain began to fall. The rest set off and were briefly tempted by the beckoning N21, High Hill Road; but the mud, the incline and the wooden sign which read: ‘STEEP DESCENT. EXTREME CAUTION’ dissuaded even the most adventurous from sure disaster. Tarmac won the day, so it was Scotshall Lane to Farleigh, Croydon High and Croham Valley Rd to S. Croydon. A twist and a turn took us past Whitgift School and along Pampisford Rd to cross the Purley Way and meet Foxley Lane. It was then just a gentle rise along the A2022 to Oaks Park, still in daylight. The Tea Rooms close at 4pm, but we enjoyed our tea and cake before heading home in the drizzle and early December gloaming.
This was a first visit to these tea rooms and will not be our last. We meet there again at 9.15am on 18 December to start our ride to Oxted and Wasp Green.
Jeff
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