2 years ago with my "Friday friends", we had cycled to visit a beautiful garden in Britwell, called Foxington, open for private groups via NGS. I contacted the owner, Mary, a few weeks ago, to arrange a revisit, and today was the day. I had opened the ride up early on Let's Ride, and had plenty of riders signed up beyond our minimum of 10. Sadly as often happens, quite a few cancelled. But we still had 10... even if 3 of the ladies had to drive due to being unable to ride at the moment. 😟 We arranged to meet them at the garden at 11.15ish.
Route link screenshot at end.
The 7 riders set off from Checkenden just after 9.50, and rode a familiar route, for most, to Nuffield continuing to Cookley Green, all very gradual climbing. I had thought we had 12 miles to ride to the garden, but it was only 8. We set a good pace, and by the top of Britwell Hill, we were around 11.8mph. By the time we got to the bottom it was 12.3! 😂💨💨💨 We were half an hour early!! Oops, and since it was now a little damp, I hoped that the garden owner would not mind us arriving early.
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Top of Britwell Hill, where it literally started to rain, and stopped
again at the bottom.
Rose, Gill, Cathy, Amanda O, Karen, Amy. |
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| Amanda was first off the starting blocks.... as usual. |
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The iconic tree half way down the hill. The weather turned miserable.
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We arrived at the garden at the bottom of the hill, where the paths were dry, so we had just been unlucky to catch that shower.
I was a little embarrassed to arrive half an hour early, but it wasn't a problem. We were greeted by Mary's team of helpers. Last time I came it was a glorious day and we sat in the garden, but this time we were invited up some stairs over the garage to a room with a huge window with views to the distant hillside. And a loo. Ideal. Sue and her two passengers, Kim and Jeanette arrived just as we were settling in.
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Lovely to see Sue, Kim and Jeanette too.
Our hostess Mary, almost made it into the photo, on the left. |
Mary gave us a little introductory talk about the garden, which was designed from scratch when she moved there, after her father took ill, and subsequently died. She was at that time in charge of a HUGE farm stretching for miles. She still owns lots of land including the view from her garden, so can guarantee that nothing will be built there. She is passionate about her garden, and uses it regularly for groups who also appreciate it, whilst fund raising for charities. Sadly due to ill health she can no longer do much herself, but has a gardener 2 or 3 days a week to keep it looking this good, with input from Mary of course.
(I think I must have touched a setting in my camera by mistake to change the white balance? colours don't look quite right. Sorry!)
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Sky looking a little brighter by the time we finished our tea and lovely cakes.
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| Alliums are always a favourite this time of year. |
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| Mary the garden owner, centre. |
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| The Stipa Tenuissima grasses definitley add movement to the border. |
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| photo by Amanda |
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And the wild flower meadow works so well at the edge of the driveway.
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I had forgotten the name of these vibrant pink Dianthus, so looked it up.
They are called Dianthus carthusianorum. A bit of a mouthful.
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More Dianthus, aka Pinks, in the gravel garden.
Work really well with the purple Salvias. The Lavender not quite open, but almost.
Low Creeping Thyme just passing now, but still some pink flowers. |
photo by Amanda
Lots of easy flat and downhill lanes to Roke, and before we reached Ewelme I requested to pull over to take a layer off...... as did everyone else. lol. It was warming up and our climbing was about to begin.
Once above Ewelme, easy going all the way to Ipsden other then one sneeky uphill through the X Roads. But our main climb was up Bottom Lane back to Checkenden Equestrian Centre, then we were back.
Well done on the last hill ladies! I used to have to walk the last 50 yards. By the time I dropped off two passengers, I got home at 3 o'clock, and had only peddled 26 miles! 😂 But today was about the garden visit, which everyone really enjoyed.
Mary will be reading this, and so once again Mary, thank you so much for sharing your garden and to your lovely assistants for making the delicious cakes and looking after us. Much appreciated, and I wish you well.
