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Littlehampton to Tanners Hatch

The warden, Carol, made us feel very welcome last night. The hostel is very new and everything works for a change! The cycle shed is a lockup in the back yard, next to the kitchen and back door. Once again the ubiquitous shed is used for everything else and its a squeeze to say the least to get stuff in or out. C'est la vie.

We say farewell to the coast and head north up the A road to Fittleworth taking in Arundel Castle BCQ on the way. The battlements looks very impressive as does the front gate. The surrounding buildings are the usual touristy antique shops and cafes. It is getting warmer and we continue northwards. At Fittleworth we split into two teams, 3 of us detour to the right to get a BCQ at Stopham - the old bridge which was rebuilt in 1822.  The roads are fairly quiet and the scenery is reasonably lush with plenty foliage still around.

We find the bridge which has been bypassed now but is part of an estate road. It looks very solidly built considering the small river flowing under it. Photographs taken, we set off to meet the others for lunch. Somehow lines got crossed and we were 6 miles apart when supposed to be meeting for lunch. We are all hungry so decide to eat where we are, then rendezvous at Tismans Common on the way to Cranleigh.

Just past Tismans we join the Downs Link cyclepath, route 223, but it quickly becomes a scramble up a steep woodland path, slippy as well, then a rush down the other side. We make it back onto a road then get back on the path round the corner, which takes us to Cranleigh and a Sainsburys for food.

Light was fading for the final 10 miles to the hostel. We find ourselves heading up a steepish singletrack road with passing places and heavily overgrown trees both sides. It is very dark in here, no street lights and it looks like we are on a rat-run. All the traffic is coming the other way, downhill, and not liking they have to slow down for some cyclists. I realise how feeble my front light is, it barely lights up a 2 foot spot in front of my wheel. Thankfully Arthur has a mega front light which is perfect.

We finally get up another incline and turn right onto a level road heading east to Ranmore Common. Just to our right and out of sight runs the Pilgrims Way which we met near Canterbury. This stretches some 200 miles to Glastonbury, maybe a future trip? A mile and a half, then it is turn left into the forest for 1km. We are treated to a gentle downhill freewheel to the hostel. It is steeped in character this place. Outside showers and loos, but a log fire and petrol generator for comfort. It is also Halloween which adds to the 'spookyness' of the place ! Some walkers arrive doing the South Downs Way and we have a good blether in the evening.

47 miles today and some nice scenery.

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Tanners Hatch to London and Home.

I awoke about 0615 and heard Trevor slipping out the dorm. He was leaving to get home for early afternoon. Fell asleep again then got up at 0700. I realised the 2 walkers in our dorm had also gone but I had not heard them, they were intending to leave about 6 as well.

Porridge for breakfast again for some of the team, it is a great fuel for cycling. We finally got away about 9.45 but pushing the bikes, not cycling, for the first quarter mile of the forest. Arthur, Calum and I said goodbye to David and Sally who were getting the train from Dorking, while we three were going up Box Hill which was nearby, and grabbing another BCQ. The view eastwards was excellent, a nice place to have a picnic

It was a fairly steady climb but not difficult. We were overtaken by many club racers out for their Saturday cycle frenzy.

By the time we got to the top and took some photos, a quick calculation made us realise we needed to get the train to Waterloo as time was running short to catch our Glasgow train at 13:30. Getting out of Waterloo was easy once we found the right direction to go and then a rather pleasant (for London) cycle in the bus lanes up to Euston. 

We got food for the journey and only had to wait a few minutes until the platform for our train was announced. The journey north was fairly quick and we checked the trains speed at 125mph on our various Apps.

We arrived in Glasgow at 1800 and its light rain. Calum is getting the train to Inverness but sadly its via Aberdeen due to work on the Perth line. Calum later reported he did not get home until 0030, a very long day! I cycled home, arriving just as the heavens opened, but getting a mostly dry ride. 

It has been a good week with amazing weather for the time of year. Looking forward to next years trip in August. 

22 miles for me today and 300 for the week.