WLCG Wargrave Marina via Bridle Paths-25 miles

After a scorching few days, it made sense to head for the riverside cafe today at Wargrave, which until last week had been closed for months.  Jeanette away in Scottish Islands, Andrea just back from touring Scotland.  Louise told not to ride this week following dental surgery. But she opted to drive to meet us at 10.30.

So we were 4 today. Gill is leaving for America at 2pm this afternoon, but she was organised, so decided to ride this morning rather than just sit about waiting. 😅. Gill is not capable of sitting doing nothing! 

With no route in mind, I suggested taking in Mire Lane off West End Road for a change, so everyone nodded their heads.... we were off. 

Here is the route we recorded. Route

Cow Parsley time! 

"West End Farmhouse" on Mire Lane.
Beautiful scent from the Wisteria. 

And opposite the farmhouse, all the little ponies. 

A dogleg next into Nut Lane to emerge near the Church in Waltham St Lawrence.   It was only 9.50, so to go straight to Wargrave, we were going to be too early.  We decided to use the tracks off Halls Lane (behind the church) to connect to Knowl Hill.

Knowl hill bridle circuit. A good path at this point. 

Saddle cam shot. 

And just behind us.

There was a bird singing its heart out, and I told the ladies about my new app called Merlin, which can identify birdsong within seconds. Very clever. Turned out we were listening to a Eurasian Black Cap.  We then spotted it high up on a branch. It was TINY!!!

Gill and Martina set off first, and  then I stopped for a photo of the lane, which was now much narrower.  The nettles not quite doing too much damage yet.

Lynne and I came to a fork, where initially we went right, shouting for the others, then I convinced myself that would take us out to Bottle Lane,  so doubled back to take the left fork. The path deteriorated, and we got off to walk a section, eventually emerging on a gravel path at the craft centre Knowl Hill.  We were never lost, just chose the messier route.  We saw Gill and Martina emerge from their path, so were reunited. (Gill apparently had mentioned to keep right, and I remembered it as keep left.😂)

So now it was 10.18, and we shot up passing Velolfe, then to Crazies Hill and the downhill to Wargrave. We arrived seeing Louise admiring the view from the little bridge. 

I've photographed this many times, but today it was all about
the Chestnut trees, in full flower. 

We are not alone!  But managed to get ourselves a front
row seat by the river.

Taken by Louise

And with Louise in the photo.

I don't mention personal details in  my blogs, but just to say that this week was a very sad time for Louise and her family, at the sudden loss of her brother, and I hope that coming out to meet us did her some good. Our thoughts are with you.  x

Gill opted to ride home via Loddon Drive, and Louise walked back in to Wargrave where she had parked.  The 3 of us, opted to return via the "strawberry farm tracks", and continued over to ride in the field edge to Ruscombe.

Just for a change, we peddled through Twyford X Roads, and back through Charvil to Beggarshill Road. I've not been there for a few weeks, and wanted to see if the bluebells were still out. We had seen a few patches on our ride today, but they have definitely peaked now. 

A nice little Arch of  Hawthorne flowers
with a path leading to the bluebells. (very faint now)

Writing this at 3pm, and a message from Gill to say she is at the airport. She made it! lol

I'm away now for the next 2 Fridays, heading to my Scotland cycling trip. See you all mid May. 

forgot to switch my Garmin on until about 5 miles in.