Looking through the NGS book last year I had contacted the owner of Deepwood Stud, but unfortunately they were unable to accommodate a visit at that time. But I contacted them again a few weeks ago, and was delighted that I was able to book a visit for today. As a bonus, the owner, Christabel, told me that a baby foal had just arrived last week.
We have had hardly any rain for a while now, so it was very disappointing that we were forecast heavy rain overnight, and we just hoped that it cleared before 9am! I had included a few off road sections on our route assuming the ground will be nice and dry.
I had allowed 24 places, (plus Champs) and all the places had been booked quickly, until one by one, over the last couple of weeks a few ladies had to cancel. But we ended up with 23 in total. Shame that our Champs Sue and Hazel couldn't make it today.
We all met at Cantley, with the exception of Cathy W who would join us in Shurlock Row, and Julie was also going to ride to meet us at the garden. (Sorry I forgot that Julie! Glad you could join us too😊).
I "volunteered" and shared the route with some of my regular riders who are happy to take a share at leading. Amy joined me, Daphne joined Jill, Gill joined Breeze Champ Karen from Maidenhead, and Kim assisted Rose. What could possibly go wrong? 😉
Route link screen shot at end of blog.
My group set off first, with the others following 2 mins apart. We were due at the garden at 11ish. I didn't stop for any photos on the way today which is VERY unusual, but I didn't want to risk the next group catching us up! We had a couple of quick drinks stops.
Since some of the riders didn't know where we were today, a brief description of the route.
Leaving over the motorway bridges, right turn into the Lanes around Hurst to join the Straight Mile, then the second Straight Mile towards Shurlock Row. Straight over at the X roads at the pond (where we waved to Cathy, telling her that Jill would pick her up in a couple of minutes). Next to White Waltham, where we turned left at the cricket pitch into Butchers Lane. Continuing for about a mile, over the railbridge and after about .5mile, right to join the Knowl Hill bridle circuit (on concrete). Into the little gap to emerge in Little Wick Green.
It was 10.30, and I decided we could have a break in Littlewick Green for the others to catch up, so that we could all arrive at the garden at about the same time. We waited..... and waited... and waited about 10 mins and no one else appeared! We decided to go and be the first to use the loo. 😂
We arrived at 10.50, with Julie already there, and we parked up our bikes. The second group arrived, and a third group shortly after. But not the 4th group. (Rose/Kim and team). We waited until after 11 and still no sign, and yet Gill told me that Rose was actually been in front of them at Burchetts Green. Weird.
Amy kindly went to the front gate to watch out for them to make sure they spotted the entrance. (I had sent a screen shot of the brick entrance so that all the Champs would recognise it.) I began to panic thinking Rose had taken the wrong turn off the A4 roudabout and were now on the A404!!! So I called her.
Anne "Where are you " .
Rose "Just going through the woods.
Anne "What woods?!"
Rose "The ones near Stubbings nursery"
Anne "WOT!! That's the way home. You have ridden straight passed the Stud". 😂
We started our guided tour with Chistabel telling us about the rockery garden, which had been a Chelsea Flower Show Installation. And a great cheer went up when the lost posse arrived. 😛😅.
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| A cheer as the last group finally arrived having started on the way home! |
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| The rockery, a Chelsea Flower Show purchase. There was no garden here, or anywhere on the site, 40 years ago when Christabel bought the property. |
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| Christabel in the blue trousers, walking us through the property. |
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| First stop, the stables, where there are up to 20 racehorses kept, but most out for training for races today. |
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| The new "Mum" and her foal were at the far end of the field to start with but we were delighted when they came to see us. |
A few more photos from other riders. .........
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| from Louise |
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| from Julie |
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| from Louise. |
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| Blimey! Its not that warm!! |
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| The dog followed us around most of the tour. |
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| from Julie, with Anne in blue. |
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| Someone was also in the conservatory.😂 |
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| Amanda O |
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| Hazel capturing the view through the "window" on the wall. |
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| Kim first on the bridge |
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| photo by Karen |
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| Louise, Karen, Amanda T, Jane, Sandra, Jill, Julie, Joy, Janet,Kim, Susan, Amy (hiding) Nicki (hiding), Jo, Daphne, Amanda O, Hazel Kneeling - Anne, Jill, Rose, Cathy W, Karen. |
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| First lot on the bridge. Great reflection thanks to the cloudy sky. |
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Next lot getting ready.... |
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| taken by Jill. |
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| photo by Jill as we stopped to see lambs in Shottesbrook. |
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| Shottesbrook |
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| Shottesbrook |
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| Karen and Rose's team had caught up somewhere. |
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| Jill and Rose's team also met up somewhere |
Thanks to our Champs and riders for making it such a successful social ride today. It took a bit of organising, and would have been so disappointing if we had to drive there. So, well done all, for just wearing the right waterproof clothing, which thankfully wasn't even needed! Except to keep us warm of course.
