B Group February 23

On a damp, dull day I led a swarm of Bs from Walton Day Centre along the towpath (avoiding the amphibians with no road/towpath sense) under Walton bridge where we joined the road to Weybridge and avoided most of Addlestone by using the footbridge over the railway. Was this once a level crossing ? Keeping to the sideroads we crossed the busy M25 via the footbridge then through Row Town and Woodham to join the canal towpath at Scotland Bridge. Rejoining the road at Sheerwater Bridge we were greeted by several sets of flashing blue lights and two-tone horns which quickly passed. We were gradually getting damper but pedalled on through Pyrford to Papercourt Lane and our lunch destination - The Saddlers Arms, where we were quickly served with good meals.

During lunch the rain had become heavier and a few decided to go straight home. After turning right onto the Portsmouth road I then forked left into Burntcommon Lane. (Before the A3 was upgraded there were two cafes hereabouts - the Triangle and the Three Frogs - anyone remember them ? When I worked for Vickers/BAC in the late50s/60s we would rush out to either of these for lunch for a change from John Gardner's offerings. It was a rush - in those days if you 'clocked in' after lunch more than three minutes late you lost fifteen minutes pay !).

We continued along Tithebarns Lane where unfortunately Liz had a rear wheel puncture - out in the open, no shelter from the rain and the cause couldn't be found. However the tube was soon replaced and we carried on to regroup at The Medicine Garden, by which time the rain had stopped. After suitable refreshment we went our separate ways - not a great mileage but sufficient for the conditions.

Terry

Author: Terry