The clocks changed last night, so we lost an hour today. It's also Mothers Day, so a day to avoid the most popular cafes!
We rode our ebikes from home, and headed first to Crazies Hill to drop down to cross the Thames at Hambleden Lock. The only big climb today would be passing Fawley Vineyard, so power not really necessary today.... or was it?!
Route link screenshot at end.
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| Passing Ruscombe Church as we headed to Castle End Road. |
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| Crossing to Castle End road and the Willow tree and stems looking very colourful. |
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| Highfield Lane, near Holy cross. An impressive tree lined avenue at this property called "The Paddocks" |
We had been fighting into a really strong wind since we left home, so had used power even on the flat as we headed to drop down Aston Lane. We spotted several of the deer herd on the field on our left as we dropped downhill, in fact we stopped and there were several looking straight at us. Then of course they moved away, but not too far, still watching us. We left them in peace.
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| Waiting for John who had stopped to photograph something further back. |
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| Ready to launch...... |
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| Its a steep drop! |
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| There were 3 kayaks at the weir today. |
But before we reached our right turn of the main road, some lambs in the grounds near Henley Management College.
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| Who can resist those backlit ears. |
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| Using red power, we passed the Oakengrove Vineyard. |
The steepness reduces, but then kicks up again to around 6% for another stretch before reaching the top. We soon pass the Roundhouse, at the area called Lower Woodend, and a few undulations until we pass Higher Woodend. Big valley views to our left, which are between here and the Stonor Valley.
At the bend in the road, (left to drop into Stonor Valley, or continue a little before a turn to South End), We turned right to reach the Chiltern Valley Vineyard at Old Luxtors on Dudley Lane. Dudley Lane, passing below the Beech Woods, is now beautifully tarmacked since I was last here. The road used to be a right mess of potholes. 😊
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| The VERY steep downhill now on Dudley Lane, into the Hambleden Valley I was checking my brakes all the way! They are not at good as my gravel bike brakes. |
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| Stopped for a car part way down. These sheep look as if they are ready to lamb. |
I was quite close behind John down the Hambleden Valley Road, and we had spotted, and heard, a few Red Kites circling over a hedge to our right. Then all of a sudden one appeared from nowhere from the LEFT, and literally above John's head, it swooped down to pick up a dead rabbit from the road right in front of us! They are big birds that close!!! A car came towards it, and in a panic, it dropped the rabbit. So we assumed it would try again.
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| We moved forward a little, to see if the Kites would come down again for the roadkill. This one tried, but missed as again a car soon came along. |
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| 3 Kites in the air, but with the odd car coming past they didnt come down again, so we moved on. |
We set off, and within a short distance, a poor Pheasant had been hit, limping across the road. 😔. I guess that will be the next meal for the Kites.
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| The stream running quite fast as we come into Hambleden Village. |
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| Lady Hambleden's Cottage in the village. |
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| Lambs next to the stream which goes through the field as we continue down the valley. |
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| Wind in the Willows! It was very gusty today. |
An easy climb, with power, up Aston Lane and we decided to return on a loop passing Warren Row. We nipped over the A4 to join the short section of the Knowl Hill circuit, joining Bottle Lane. Since John has never been through Shottesbrook Park, today seemed a good day, since the ground is very dry atm.
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| Shottesbrook Sheep, but no lambs. |
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| Shottesbrook. They used this scene in "Miss Austin" drama. |
Finally back via Beenhams Heath to Shurlock Row. My battery power, turned to Orange, which is very unusual. On our Hampshire and West Berkshire rides, I rarely use that much! But it was the wind today. Although I then realised we had climbed 1800 feet ... so not insignificant 😂.
