Sunday 6th December 2015

Best to get punctures out of the way early

The conservation area around the church is a delight, with ramshackle timber-framed buildings dating from the late medieval period to the 18th century. On the lane leading to the churchyard is a terrace of listed buildings including Star Inn Cottages and Church House, with Georgian frontages hiding a much earlier Tudor core. 

This property was recently sold:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=45702691&sale=53534003&country=england

The children's menu seemed to go down well.

Andy, Paul and Ken were parking their cycles as I arrived at Hookwood
Tesco.  Paul and Ken were just there for coffee then off to a birthday
party but we were joined by Terry and Jeff before we set off.  As we
approached the cycles Andy pointed out that my front tyre didn’t look
right – a puncture! After a quick change we left the car park.

The weather forecast was dire with high winds and showers but the
showers at least held off as we headed to our lunch stop.

First up through Horley then into the wind down Balcombe Lane. Then a
wind assisted leg East and North through Smallfield before passing the
mill at Oakwood which brought us to an interesting descent of Home
Court Hill where the wind was definitely not assisting!   Southeast to
cross the A22 at Newchapel then into Lingfield for our stop at The
Star.

I had emailed to check the availability of bar snacks on Sunday and
had been assured that they did serve them but they didn’t.  They did
however have options for little appetites, presumably for children,
but were perfect for us.  Terry had sausage and mash, Jeff roast lamb
and I had roast beef.  Andy joined us for a coffee later.

There was a slight drizzle as we left but that didn’t last long.  The
wind had also died down.  We headed back through Crowhurst eventually
crossing the Godstone road to Harts Lane bringing us to Tillburstow
Hill and Rabies Lane to Bletchingley.

Everyone was planning to make their own way from there with Terry
continuing along the A25 and the rest of us going through Merstham to
our destinations.  Andy and Jeff turned towards Merstham earlier as I
carried on to turn at Nutfield.  I met Jeff again briefly approaching
School Hill in Merstham before I continued north along the A23. For me
46 miles.