The King's Head, Holmbury St Mary
Nine hardy souls left Henfold to tackle the steep hill, with strong headwind, en route to Newdigate. A brief stop to re-rail a derailed chain enabled one member to quickly devour a cold hot cross bun. Lunch was to be at Holmbury St Mary so I chose the 'usual' route initially, but turned off the B2126 at Cox Corner into Mole Street, having just left new C and M-er Mick with a puncture but with assistants Mike and Dave. This was a very quiet road taking us past the Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden to the north end of Walliswood. Here we turned right, ie heading north with the wind BEHIND us. A time check when passing The Parrot at Forest Green meant changing to a new Plan C, going direct to HSM. A table had been reserved for us but we were warned when ordering 'There will be a forty minute wait'. He underestimated the delay, but when the food came it was good. Meanwhile we had cooled down but Lilian found a heater somewhere and we soon warmed up !
After lunch we headed northish UP Pasturewood Road, turning right into Leith Hill Lane where we were mostly sheltered from the wind, soon turning into Abinger Road to Coldharbour. No stopping to admire the view today, our planned 'threes' usually closes at four ! After a rapid descent of Coldharbour Lane we were soon in Dorking, where a diversion into Calvert Road (off Ashcombe Road) led to the only off-road today (guess who didn't like it ?) then via the cycle track to Pilgrim Cycles and Cafe at Boxhill and Westhumble Station booking hall, arriving at 3.55. Despite the late lunch most seemed to find room for the delicious cake on offer, after which we made our separate ways home.
Only about twenty-five miles from Henfold to the station but that was quite enough in the dry but windy conditions. We saw many snowdrops and much damage caused by the recent storms, but nothing that delayed us.
Good to see Graham at Henfold with his relocated shoulder.
Terry
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