Breeze Odiham to Chawton via Shalden 36 mlles 2,000 feeet

Since it's the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austin, I thought a good enough excuse to take a Breeze ride to Chawton, where she lived in the village, and where her brother lived at Chawton House. I've ridden there before, but had never been to see the garden at Chawton House, so that was also on today's agenda. 

Meeting at the canal in Odiham todays riders were Barbara (whom I've not seen for months), Cathy, Louise, Martina, Rose and myself.  

Route link

We headed out of Odiham to Greywell and into Upton Grey. It was pretty hot already, with a forecast of high 20's today, but with a gentle breeze to keep us cool on the move. 

Pretty Upton Grey

It looks HOT!. At Upton Grey.

Now the climb to Herriad which is very gradual but does go on a bit, and a little steeper near the top. But then a lovely drop down back lanes to our tea stop at Lasham Gliding club.  I had prebooked, since originally we were more than 6, (a requirement now). 

An impressive choice of savouries, but it was too early for that at 11ish.

We sat in the shade outside and watched  quite a few gliders takes off. 

One lady opted for a Jaffa cake sponge" 

Glider being pulled up by the winch

Glider now a tiny dot in the sky. 
They climb very steeply very quickly!

And one being pulled up much more gently by a plane. 

We had a chat with a couple of pilots, and after our leisurley tea stop, it must have almost been mid day and we had only done 8 miles. 😂

About 1 mile of so along The Avenue, before our right turn towards Shalden. I wanted to stop for a photo in the village, so asked Louise to guide then all to the church, where we had gone in spring to enjoy the blossom. 

Pretty cottage in Shalden with lots of hydrangea Annabelle. 

A farm also in the middle of Shalden. 

We had plenty of shade at time today, which was very welcome 

I went to the church and saw no bikes or people! So I decided they must have 
ridden passed the entrance (its hidden) and by now would be down along hill
into a valley road.  So I carried on. 

Leaving Shalden downhill.  A planting of late Rape Crop.

I continued down the valley road to where we have to dogleg over 
the A339. I assumed they would wait there. 

Not there either!  So I called Louise, who told me they were all inside the church.  So I just waited for them. 

Reunited. 

Barbara coming to a halt

As we all met up, a group of cyclist from Guildford came UP the hill and some stopped for a chat. 

Over the A339 and a gradual climb followed by a 14% climb.  I had only done this on my ebike before. 

The 14% climb ahead a as we round a  bend, and need to get up at distant hedgeline.
It doesn't last too long fortunately!

Well done team. 

View at the top of the cheeky climb. 

A brief stop to recover and a drink.

Some of the fields had a strip of the purple flowering "Fiddle neck" crop,
called Phacelia.   Its a green manure, and also good for wildlife. 
(I dare say the farmers get a payment for planting it?)

We skirted the edge of Thedden Grange, and last time I had done this route, I noticed that I joined Abbey Road.  Alton Abbey is on the map just a short distance from our right turn, so we turned left to find it.  It was a bit deserted, but we had a look around anyway. 

Back on track, we peddled through Medstead, a little up hill on Red Hill, and then into the forest track of a National Cycle network route. 

As we joined the forest track. 

A bit of shade before we set off on a long downhill on a 
gravel track.  I'm a wimp on this, so take my time Rose and Cathy shot off. 

And eventually it levels out.Much happier now. 
The trees looking gorgeous. 

Then the track ends, and through a gate to join this track. 

We stopped to allow a runner coming towards us.
Martina behind me and Rose catching up. 
Great shade down this path.

Back onto tarmac, and not far now to Chawton. But first we had to navitage a couple of roundabouts, and used the footpaths to do this.  We past Jane Austins House on way in, since lunch was now a priority at 2pm! 😅

Arriving at Chawton House. It's now an RHS partner garden
so a couple of us got in for free. The other "shared" my 2for1  card. 

photo by Cathy.

photo by Louise at Chawton House. 


Most of us opted for the Quiche with salad.
Service here is very slow.... just as well we had no deadlines!

I had left my phone on "portrait" mode for the quiche photo
which is why Martina and Cathy look great
and the rest of us are blurred! 😖

the courtyard cafe area, or seating inside. 

Getting shade while we can, waiting for someeone
before we go into the garden.

Mulberry Tree

The walled garden was more interesting, but not the best garden visit I had done.  And it was very hot today, so  we felt a bit weary. 

This fennel "hedge" was my favourite part. 

Cynara or Cardoon.

A few minutes in the shade, then time to get back on the bikes. 

Louise trying for an arty farty shot of the house. 

A very quick stop at Jane Austin House, which it turned out was closed this afternoon for a private function. 

Jane Austins washing line. Its true!!

A couple of miles now through Alton, which although on main roads, wasnt at all busy, we it was fine, before we joined the much quieter road through Holybourne. Soon we dashed across the  A31 at The Hen and Chicken in Froyle, but just short of the crossing, we crossed the pretty stream.

River Wey near Froye. 
I've stopped here many time. So timeless. 

I'm sure everyone loved the next few miles of undulations through Upper & Lower Froyle, before the long steady uphill to "the field with the horse". 😄  But a long dowhill followed into Long Sutton, and almost as soon as we turned into Wood Hill Lane, I screeched to halt, at the site of SUNFLOWERS.

 

A great end to our day out, with just a couple of miles to go back to Odiham. Just one idiot driver spoiled the next section in this narrow lane, with a car driving straight at me, and with his window down shouted "Get off the road".😡😡😡.

I think a new record for the longest day out on a Breeze Ride?  Did we care?  Nope!  Thanks all for joining me today. A grand day out.