Reigate - Edenbridge - Annie's
After snow and ice, steady rain was quite welcome, though not to all. A flippered trio including Stephanie and Daniel made it to Mere Pond at Walton-on-the-Hill. We sheltered awhile in the bus-shelter, decided that prospective newcomer Graham had been discouraged by the weather, and headed South via Pebble Coombe to Betchworth, Wonham, Trumpets Hill, Flanchford and Park Lane (not that one) for an early mug of tea at Morrisons of Reigate. Here we were joined by gently steaming Andy and Terry.
Now I had to break the news that on my earlier recce, the manageress of the Royal Oak at Crockham Hill had made it abundantly clear that we would not be welcome for lunch on Sunday; the pub was too small, fully booked, standing room only, cyclists 'personae non gratae' and most definitely not welcome. Lunch would therefore be pot luck at the uninspected Four Elms Inn.
We recaped and set off Stephless for Redhill via Reigate Cemetery, then past Redstone Cemetery on Philanthropic Road to meet the M23 near Nutfield. Two farm tracks past Henshaw Farm and Cuckseys Farm led us up to Tilburstow, then down again, before heading westward towards Hurst Green. The rain was not heavy but unrelenting and it took some discipline to cycle past the siren charms of the Haycutter Inn. After Hurst Green it was Itchingwood Common and Swaynesland Road to the bottom of Crockham Hill. We briefly considered Trevereux Hill to the Carpenters Arms, but decided to save that for more clement times. So it was across the B2026 to pass near Westerham Brewery to the Four Elms Inn. Lights on, looked inviting, sign said: 'Opening Soon'. Unfortunately, not today! Another pub that doesn't want us!
Andy decided to break open his sandwiches, while the rest of us headed for the Swan at Edenbridge. Here at least we found a warm welcome with food and drink and a roast for Daniel. A mobile signal alerted Andy, who joined us for a lengthy sojourn. Terry took off while the rest tried without much success to dry out in front of the log fire. Eventually we braced up to the rain again and passed Staffhurst, Tilburstow and Bletchingley.
On the way down to Merstham we lost Daniel for a while, fortunately unharmed as he alarmingly unshipped the chain on his fixed wheel Touché. We regrouped and took comfort in the warm bosom of Annie's, where Andy was beginning to lose contact with his feet. Fortified by tea and cake at a tea stop rather later than usual, we headed off into the murky gloom to find our way home. Others will have enjoyed more than my drought-busting 52 miles.
Jeff
Author: Jeff
