Sunday January 12 2014

I awoke to white roofs but as the sun rose, they darken so no repeat of two weeks ago seemed likely. In time it became damp and overcast, neither too warm nor too cold as long as one was on the move.

I was a late arrival at Morrisons but not the last nor did I order full English! A surprising fourteen were eager for more; the belated departure setting a pattern for the day. Before Xmas the upstream parapet of Flanchford Bridge disappear into the Mole. My earlier in the day recce found the road still closed except to those who ignore signs and are happy to bypass concrete barriers. So outward it was Leigh, Newdigate, Capel, and Oakwoodhill.

An unheated and thus empty room awaited us at an otherwise full Scarlett Arms. Most tucked into something warming but the soup had to be returned being more like Vichyssoise. For some, the range of real ales just had to be sampled. After lunch the group began to fragment. Ian headed home, Daniel and Keith decided on Leith Hill (via Tanhurst and Leith Hill Place respectively). For the rest, it was Ockley, Capel, Newdigate and Henfold to Denbies where just five sampled the cakes. 65 miles door to door and a late finish of 1740.

Author: RaasayWarden