I had advertised a ride to Camellia Botnar. The weather forecast was for heavy thunderstorms between 11 and 12 so I decided to put CB on the back burner and chose the familiar Chartwell Barns from which the route could be cut short if necessary.
5 of the 16 G2 riders at the Drome opted to join me, the rest headed for the same destination with Andy G. We climbed up to Bletchingley (accopanied by much grunting and groaning from Andre R), over Rabies Heath then made our way to Hurst Green and on to Four Elms via Itchingwood Common and Pootings Lane.We lost Andre who shot off the front.
The rest of the party, including Andre, joined as at the tea stop.
No sign of the predicted rain, so we headed back via Hever, Mark Beech, Cowden and Dormansland. The usual burn uo from Lingfield to Smallfield saw us back by 12:30.
The deluge arrived at 3 in the afternoon, by which time I had my feet up reading the paper.