Sunday 10th September 2017 Stoke D’Abernon - Guildford King's Head - Painshill Park Cafe

Nine greeted Pam, Alan and myself when we arrived at Squires GC for 11s. It was quite a dull day so we anticipated getting wet!!!  After Alan, Bob, Margaret and Bill left, eight (Simon, Ed, Terry, Pam, Vic, Graham, Brian Bent and I) started our ride to Guildford turning right out of the garden centre, over the railway bridge then left into Station Road. A first right into Bray Road led to River Lane and offroad into Downside. We continued on Chilbrook Road and Ockham Lane and over Hungary Hill. After crossing the A246, Staple Lane was climbed and Coombe Bottom descended to Albury and Chilworth before a right turn into Hornhatch Lane and over the level crossing. After Shalford Lane a right turn into Tilehouse Road led us to the Pilgrims Way. We used the cyclepath alongside the A281 into Guildford town centre. Finally the lowest part of the High Street and a right turn into Quarry Street brought us to the King's Head. There to greet us were Ray Wren, Vic and Ed. Unusually they serve sandwiches and baguettes on Sundays.

 

On leaving we walked through the lovely castle gardens which are a picture throughout the year. They are on three levels, flower beds lead up through a lovely tunnel to a second level where bowls were in full flow and then up to the top level which has a bandstand. A brass band was playing; it would have been great to have stayed a bit longer. We continued to the High Street and its cobbles and rode on past Stoke Park, and down to the cycle route on the A3. After passing the Jovial Sailor we turned right into Grove Heath Road and continued to Painshill Park and its lovely tea shop which stays open until 5 on Sundays. Although threating all day , rain didn’t materialise until evening.

 

Thanks everyone for making it a trouble free day and thanks for the company.

 

Irene