Sunday February 26th

                                               Walliswood

Ten of us left The Vineries, Effingham, heading south to Walliswood. This, of course, means hills. After keeping to Effingham backroads we were obliged to briefly join the A246 before turning into and up Greendene which led to Combe Lane and down to the A25. A quick right and left led to Shere, much of which we omitted by using Rectory Lane and the footbridge rather than checking depth of the ford. Sandy Lane led to Hound House Road and the descent of Pitch Hill to Ewhurst. To comply with Tracy's (manager of Scarlett Arms) instructions for table occupation I omitted a small loop and headed straight for the pub.

Orders were taken at the table and fairly soon appeared. Everyone seemed pleased and we were easily able to leave before the next table occupants arrived. We returned via Okewood Hill (good to see The Punchbowl now re-opened and busy - must check it out soon). Following the 'usual route' via Weare Street we were soon in Capel where we used the 'alternative' slightly shorter and less hilly route partly alongside the A24 before returning to the lanes, Mill Road leading to Four Wents mudpatch. (National Trust are making it healthier for the fish). A short distance then to Denbies where some with still quite a ride home chose to continue tealess, hope you got home in daylight and dry.

Thanks to all for company and especially backmarker and corner markers.

Terry  

Sunday 19th February 2017

HALIFORD SQUIRES - WOODSIDE - SHEPPERTON

A very good turn out today for elevenses.  Nineteen in total, nine went their own way from the garden centre whilst ten of us continued to lunch. 

The nine who went their own way- Bill and Margaret, Lilian and Maureen, Richard, Bob and Miles. Dave and Alan started with main group but left us before lunch.

Hence; Irene, Ed, Roger, Tony, Graham, Terry, Vic, Ray, Chris and of course, myself left the G.C. 11.13...for Shepperton, Chertsey and Longcross.   At  Sunningdale we crossed the A30 into Broomhall Road, right into Station Road, Silwood Road, taking  us to the A329. Straight over into Buckhurst Road turning left just before the Peanut Roundabout....to Woodside Road where we lunched at The Duke of Edinburgh.  The service was excellent, the food superb and the ale is very nice!!!  An absolute must for more visits.

The ride to tea....well...quite straight forward!  Around the 'Peanut', into the Park, out at Bishopsgate, through Englefield Green to descend Prune Hill. Unfortunately one of our group took a tumble near the bottom of the hill and a driver stopped his car, gave a first aid kit to the guys, then drove off, leaving it with them.  Yes, there sure are decent, thoughtful drivers out there! 

We ALL stopped for tea at The Mocha café - that doesn't happen very often!   These longer days make such a difference.

My thanks to all for your company, for back markers and Tony for photos.

 First Daffodils

Cheers Pam :) :)

Change of Lunch Venue

This Sunday the lunch Venue has changed to the Duke of Edinburgh Woodside.

12/2/17 The Anchor Pyrford Lock

My first time leading the Cheam & Morden riders.  Despite leading the Wayfarers for several years, it is quite different.  I hope I did OK.  We were twelve for elevenses at Addlestone on a(nother) perishing cold and grey day.   Alan returned home and Bill and Margaret were not riding today, so nine left towards Stonehill Road and Chobham.  Somewhere along the line, David W disappeared, never to be seen again.   The majority verdict was that he had opted to do his own thing: I hope I didn't lose you David.     

Dodging Chobham at the last minute we headed south towards Horsell and Woking, a bit of a maze trying to avoid the one way system but we came out the other side intact and headed down White Rose Lane, where a big sink hole at the end had just been filled in.  (David W had definitely left us before the sink hole, just in case you were wondering!)  Road still closed at the junction and we had to walk round the corner, but after a brief pause to pump up Pam's front tyre we headed through Old Woking towards Send Marsh, now into the wind and even colder.    But it was only a few miles to Pyrford Lock and The Anchor.    A table was waiting in the warm interior, and we were informed they don't do sandwiches on Sunday (my mistake for not checking - sorry).  However we all found something suitable and the food was good.    

We were all going different directions from there, so Pam, Irene, Tony, Graham and Vic went their separate ways, while Ed, Terry and I headed to Cobham and the café at Painshill Park, where we observed some mountainous pieces of bread pudding, but none of us felt up to the challenge.   Maybe another time.    Thank you all for your company and I look forward to the next time.

~ Simon

C&M Ride 12-2-17

Simon's Ride to Pyrford Lock

Grahams is just out of shot. (handheld selfie)

Brighton YHA

I am aware that a number of members have stayed at this 5* hostel which was formerly a hotel and has been refurbished to a very high standard. It is situated very close to Brighton Pier and the Lanes behind the bus station. I had been invited to a Gig in Hove on Sunday night 28 Jan and decided to take advantage of my CTC half price YHA membership thus giving me a clean prepared bed for £15 and a first class full English breakfast for £5.75 and no duties were involved like the old days of peeling potatoes etc. The common room was serving drinks until the early hours.
Unlike most former hostels here you can choose a luxury suit at a much higher price. My room was a dorm for 3 with an en-suit bathroom, see picture below along with a picture of the entrance hall.

C&M Lunch at the Angel

Dear all, I do not know what is happening to the C&M blog at the moment but I have tried to access (Graham Please note) but I was unsuccessful. So I post this tribute on the Wafarers!

Thank you Steve and Ann for both organizing and being such splendid hosts!  The hospitality you showed at your home beforehand was so Splendid with the fantastic cakes and most appreciated aperative's. They were the best starter to any meal one could imagine! So some pictures to remind!

 For Mike Morley