Sunday Lunch at Henfold Lakes: 18 August

All's well that ends well, but it started badly.   A few spots of rain as I was leaving home turned into a lasting downpour.  I cursed the luck of the leader: I was tempted to go back home, but I couldn't really abandon the one or two that might have braved the rain to go to Stoke d'Abernon, could I?   Passing loads of cyclists who had been similarly caught out, (but without waterproofs), I made my way to Squires at Stoke d'Abernon where I was amazed to find a big turnout.   Cheam & Morden riders are a hardy lot; perhaps they like the rain. 

Ed and Lilian at Henfold Lakes

It was still raining at 11 but we were still drinking coffee.  Hah!  By 11.30 it had cleared. Bob left us to do his own thing, and the remaining eleven set off into a rather cold grey morning.   A questionable choice of route led us straight down the main road towards Fetcham, and then even more questionably, along River Lane, which was a rather muddy track in parts, back towards Leatherhead, where we met Bob again.  The sun came out as we headed towards Dorking, temperature and spirits were lifted and waterproofs removed.  We took the track across Brockham golf course which was also very muddy, probably due to "plant crossing" for the re-modelling of part of the golf course.   The peloton took it in good heart, or at least were diplomatic enough not to complain within earshot.

Happy eaters

Happy Ann

I said "SMILE"

A steady climb south took us to Parkgate and Newdigate, and then it was a short step and a whizz down the hill to Henfold Lakes cafe for lunch in the sun.   We were the only customers for most of the time, but the food was good and we were entertained watching the fishermen, one in particular landing a series of large fish.    Dave W and Ann went straight home after lunch, and the remainder went back directly up Henfold Lane and Punchbowl Lane towards Pixham, Leatherhead and across Ashtead Common, popping out the other side on the doorstep of The Old Moat garden centre for tea and wasps.  The joy of the English summer!

Tea and wasps

Thank you to all for braving the weather, and the muddy bits, sorry about getting your bikes dirty.  And special thanks to David W and Terry for back-marking, and to Pete B for the photos.