Short Report for Short Ride - Leading Leaders 14th December

   

From Karen

Short Report for Short Ride - Leading Leaders

For the short ride to Ashtead Common, Colin was fortunate to be led by not one, not two, not three, but four ride leaders: Colinq, Helen, Steve and myself. So not much chance, hopefully,  of losing Colin or losing our way!  We also enjoyed fairly light traffic and bright sunshine, a welcome break from the dank weather of late.

It was all going so well until we reached Ashtead high street and spied Handleys staff removing the outside tables. That's okay,  we weren't thinking of sitting outside anyway.   Alas, the café was in fact closing.  After some pondering,  the ever-resourceful Colinq was first to make a suggestion, so off we headed to The Woodman (or so I thought!).  Our initial coffee plans having been thwarted, my thoughts turned (obviously) to perhaps my first mulled wine of the festive season.  It was not to be ......Colinq sped ahead and turned in the opposite direction, heading towards a parade of shops. We stopped at the Ashtead Cafe which, contrary to its "greasy spoon" appearance, served quality hot drinks and cake.

                                                                   Coffee at last!

Darkness descended all too quickly as we headed back through Ashtead Common, all of us managing to avoid slipping on the occasional mounds of wet leaves. It was completely dark when we reached the Nonsuch path potholes.  My front light wasn't man enough but Colinq saved the day......