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