Sunday 11 December, 8.00 am Chichester Cross, Appetite Improver Ride to Manor Garden Centre, Runcton.

Edwin led this ride and was joined by Phil and Mary and Sam. The weather was a day of extremes with bright sunny skies near the coast changing to thick fog and frost over the downs. The difference was very noticeable coming back with temperatures changing from 0C on the north side of Duncton Hill to 8C in the sunshine on the south side.

With worries about early ice the outward route kept to gritted roads as much as possible heading up the B road to the Trundle and then along the ridge. At this stage there were still clear blue skies with the sun lighting up the occasional mist patch. The ridge road had not been gritted and was covered with a white layer of frost marred by only a few car tracks. There were great views down towards the coast with mist patches lit by the low sun. The East Dean Valley was buried in a thick fog layer with the sunlit hills rising above it.

We descended down the main Petworth Road into the fog and the icy cold started to penetrate even my many layers protecting the extremities. (3 pairs of gloves. 2 socks and 2 overshoes) As we headed on to the top of Duncton Hill the road rose above the fog back into sunshine but the descent of Duncton soon brought us back into the fog.

We continued to Petworth on the main road and arrived at Tiffins at 9.45. The cafe opened at 10.00 but the kind lady invited us in to warm up. We were joined by John Maxim and Brian and Sue from Arun Adur stopping off on the way to the Arun Adur Lunch stop at Wisborough Green.

We returned on byroads to the base of Duncton hill and then up and over back into the sunshine. Then a direct route via Halnacker, Tangmere and Merston to lunch at Manor Garden Centre. With some coming direct and 16 on the short ride there were 28 at the Christmas Lunch.

Edwin