Sunday June 27 2021

Ageing legs decreed this should be a short train assisted ride; only Bob agreed. I trained as far as Woking and arrived to find Bob, Dave, Mark, Simon, Terry in Guildford Wetherspoons. Ed and Lillian turned up just as we were leaving.

We turned off NCN22 at the waterworks and headed into Shalford. For the last few weeks southwest Surrey has seen a plethora of road closed and diversion signs, traffic jams and busier than usual side roads. The principal culprit (A281) had re-opened (weekends only?) so it was back to normal between Thorncombe Street and the Wintershall turn - a single car. And spotting two relatives of the Oxshott A3 horse's head was that much easier.

I had in mind Run Common Road which has been closed since March 2020. Don't badgers know they shouldn't build setts under roads? But the clock had ticked past 1230 so I took an undemocratic decision - an offroad shortcut. We turned south onto the A281 at Birtley Green and fifty yards later east through Rooks Hill Farm. It was mostly downhill (gravel, bumpy grassland, bridge (with step) and mud (but not enough for a sunbathing pig). Of the Wey and Arun canal the only trace is an information board!

One mile later we were in Shamley Green facing a road closed sign (so Run Common might not have been a good option). The Red Lion was fully booked inside but no booking needed outdoor. Child's portions available regardless of age suited us fine!

Dave left us here to dig his potatoes (or whatever he does). The start of cricket on the green prompted us to depart via Norley Common back to the B2128. Another road closed sign was ignored but eased the undulations to Blackheath where we descended past Barnett Hill. Terry was bound for Albury and points east leaving three to cross over to East Shalford rejoining the outward route at the waterworks.

 Around 20 from Guildford. Dull but no significant rain before nightfall.