Alternative Sunday Ride: 25th March 2012

This year British Summer Time actually started like it was summer time! With an afternoon temperature of circa 20 degrees and a cloudless blue sky, Sunday could not have been a better day for getting out on the bike. Tom Vaz’s son Christopher, had come back for a short break from his medical studies so we all set off on our own, alternative Sunday ride. We three need to build up the miles in preparation for our charity bike ride across Spain to Santiago de Compostela, so we set out on a very circuitous route which became more of a nature trail!
After passing the windmill on Reigate Heath we had our first encounter with Surrey’s wildlife.  In a field by the top of Trumpets Hill we came across these strange looking sheep.

And then a mile further on we passed the deer herd sunning themselves in the parkland of Wonham Manor. 

We continued on our 34 mile, circuitous ride to the tea shop at Tulley’s Farm, going via Newdigate, Charlewood, Horley and Shipley Bridge. Cycling along a narrow, off-road woodland track at Shipley Bridge we encountered our next bit of wild life. A rather large, running horse which had obviously escaped from it’s field. I don’t know who was frightened the most, us or the charging horse!
After that bit of excitement we were soon at our tea stop, more a lunch stop as the sandwiches and salad platter were very generously portioned.
However there was one disappointment.
Seeing the sign which said   “No ifs or buts, you must come and see our beautiful bunny girl, wearing nothing but a fur coat!” , this is what we found. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This had been a very interesting ride, much of it thru wooded lanes and the day’s sunshine had worked it’s magic for as we climbed the hill up to Nutfield ridge we saw our first display of very early bluebells. Proof that British Summer Time has indeed arrived!