Something a bit different today, for some ladies at least, as we headed to Cookham via Bray to pick up the pathway along the Strand River to Cookham. The forecast for today was for strong winds of around 25 mph but gusting at 40mph.
With Sue assisting today, 8 riders had signed up to join us, but in the last 24 hours, that dropped to 5 due to illness and also one rider swapping to the shorter ride on offer today. So a nice smaller group, which was no bad thing, since the tea shop we were heading for is quite small inside, although plenty of garden seating too.
Route link screenshot at end.
From Binfield Road a cut through on Monks Alley, soon to srop steeply downhill to the Stag and Hounds. Then heading to Bottle Lane and Westley Mill, I mentioned to someone "I wonder if we'll see the Black Labradors?", and as we rounded the bend, there they were!
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| The owner if called Susie, and is known as "Susie and the All Blacks."😆 |
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| They are working gun dogs and sooooo obedient. A horsebox wanted to pull in at the gate, so just a brief stop today. |
We split into a group of 3 and 4 for the next few miles through Paley Street to Holyport, and my group pulled into next the beautiful wall to wait for Sue's group to catch up.
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| Lynden Hall entrance on Langworthy Lane, Holyport. Beautiful detail. |
Once through Bray, onto The Causeway track, then across to The Cut passing Braywick Park.
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| As soon as we joined the pathway along The Strand river these Cormorants were resting. They are big birds this close up. |
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| Almost everyone paying attention, as we stopped at the Cormorants. |
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| Pretty Blossom as we continued along the cyclepath on the edge of Maidenhead |
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| At the blossoms. I'ts dry........ |
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| ... But all of sudden the wind went bananas and the heavens opened! Water spots on the lens now as we put rain jackets on. |
Thankfully the squally shower only lasted about 5 mins, but it meant that the chairs in the garden at our teastop would now be wet....... so hoping for seats inside!
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| Cookham Teashop, on the High Street. (Bikes parked in the garden). and we organised a table for 7 indoors. Phew! |
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| Fabulous Cakes, teacakes and HUGE scones.All delicious. Louise took the photo. Sue, Anne, Gill, Kim, Amanda T, Amanda O. |
It's maybe £1 more expensive than other teastops, but excellent quality all round. Everyone very happy.
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| The clouds creating lots of shadows across the ground, looking to Marlow. |
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| All downhill now on Grubwood Lane with an orchard on our left, as we headed to Golden Ball Lane. |
We picked up the quiet Lee Lane to connect to Pinkneys Green, where I was hoping to see the Cowslips in flower. They were stunning.
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| Pinkney's Green Common. |
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| Hungerford Lane, all into the wind. We were weary now. 😩😩😩 |
We split up as Gill headed off into Lines Road, as we all climbed back over the motorway to Cantley. Well done team. We did a fair pace today despite the wind, otherwise I'm sure it would have been averaging 14mph. 😉😎.
