Just Daphne free today, and no Dave either. The Inkpen Crocus field was on my list of things to visit in March, so was hoping it was worth a look today as part of this route. John planned this route removing the biggest climb to Coombe Gibbet which is definitely one for ebikes!
As we arrived in Washwater, the road to the NT car park we use, had a ROAD CLOSED sign. Diversions signs involved a couple of left turns and we were able to approach from the other side. We were then able to cycle through between the many work vehicles, as they were just setting up for a week long closure. It started to drizzle.
After less than a mile, the drizzle became more persistent ie rain! So we stopped for Daphne and I to put on our rain jackets. We had all started out with fingerless gloves today.... and my hands were now freezing. 😔
However, we soon warmed up, on a very gradual climb away from Washwater on Penwood Road, which is a nice quiet lane, passing under the A34, and between old woods either side.
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| Penwood Road, leaving Washwater |
Next we wiggled around the area near Highclere, with some amazing views, after some more climbing. Infact the first 7.5miles of this route were uphill today.
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| I think this was Tubbs Lane, after a climb. A quick stop to remove our rain jackets as now too hot! |
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| same spot. A tiny Hamlet on Tubbs Lane. |
Next we joined Hollington Lane, and I recognised the start of a long slog to Ashmansworth. I made it, but it is a tough climb. Daphne did pretty well, just pushing a short section, then got back on.
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| Blurry shot by John due to my speeeeed. Part way up the lane to Ashmanworth.😂 |
We were taking a right turn in Ashmansworth today towards East Woodhay, but first went into the village green to show Daphne the Topiary.
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| Ashmansworth topiary. (the road to Faccombe turns off here) |
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| Ashmansworth |
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| Lovely cottages in Ashmansworth, but now we turn around. |
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The quiet lanes to East Woodhay undulated up and down and occasionally a little challenging, but once again, the view at the top was worth it.
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| Views from the unnamed road towards East Woodhay. |
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| And a bit further along. A deer came out of this field behind us. |
We are soon to visit a restaurant in East Woodhay for lunch with friends, and it also has a beautiful garden which opens a handful of times each year. (I learned about it from the lady who owns Inkpen Rectory, and whose garden I am also visiting in summer)
Malverleys Gardens https://www.malverleys.co.uk/
We did a very short detour to where we thought it was, but infact, we should have taken a right turn a few yards back to get to it. Never mind, we know where it is now. Useful to know, since its also a CAFE!!!😂 (But closed Mon & Tuesday)
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| Soon we come into West Woodhay, passing the impressive house. Shame the blossoms are still a week or two from flowering. |
A few more undulations (uphill!) and I was lagging behind a bit. Was glad to arrive in Inkpen at the Crown and Garter Honesty Cafe.
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| Honesty Inkpen. |
No one else there when we arrived. We sat in the garden, with jackets back on, since it was a little cool, but fine. We chatted to a couple of male cyclists as we left, who had come from Frilsham, and were able to advise us that Bucklebury Ford is still very flooded as is Back Lane to Stanford Dingley. So will avoid that area a bit longer.
We set off, and within 100 yards I knew I had a puncture. 😓 Is this why I had been flagging?
We went back to the cafe and John changed my tube, but found no reason for the puncture which is always a worry. We set off again, and turning into Post Office Road and Pottery Lane (great names) we found a VERY muddy path to the gate into the Inkpen Crocus Field. Not a lot to see!
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| Very sparse, so not exactly a blaze of colour. But the surrounding landscape is beautiful |
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| Mobile phone shot. |
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John getting wet knees for his shot..... |
This is Johns even with my name on it!
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| Ham |
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| Ham, and we now turn right. |
The road out of Ham is called Cutting Hill, which is a fast downhill, until it isn't.... rising up to a X Roads.
Next we joined the A338 all downhill or flat,for about half a mile, before a right turn, and a chance to improve our average speed, which at this point was below 10mph 😂. (Lots of climbing earlier, but also very messy roads so needed to pick our way through potholes and puddles at times. )
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| Looking left at the X Roads. |
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| John and Daphne carried on as I stopped for the photos at the X Roads. |
Next we joined the A338 all downhill or flat,for about half a mile, before a right turn, and a chance to improve our average speed, which at this point was below 10mph 😂. (Lots of climbing earlier, but also very messy roads so needed to pick our way through potholes and puddles at times. )
This unnamed road leads to a Hamlet called Cold Harbour, where we turn left to join Inglewood Road for a few miles, passing the Stud Farm, and what looks like a Country House, and that strange gate over the roadway. ( I have just looked it up and it's called Audley Inglewood Retirement Village!! Must cost a a fortune. Audley Inglewood Retirement homes )
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| This "Geese on Guard" signage, just before the retirement village. They also had a goose weather vane. |
We arrived at High Street, Kintbury, and soon took a right turn (avoiding dropping down to the Canal), in to Irish Hill Road. I always enjoy this road, with a gradual climb away from Kintbury. We follow the road through Hamstead Marshall, then passed those couple of houses on a bend which are painted a horrible pale yellow colour. Getting close now to return to the start. We took a right turn to follow the diversion which meant one more cheeky uphill. Phew.
We got back to the start at around 2.30 and home for a late lunch just after 3.