Gill, Daphne, Jeanette and I on tour again, for what has become an annual 4 day break with our bikes. This year, a bit closer to home, in Wiltshire. Why did we base ourselves in Devizes? We struggled to find 4 rooms in a hotel in other places, even though we booked months ago.
Photos are a combination of my camera, Gopro screen shots, a few drone shots, and phone shots from the others.
Day ONE. 1st July Tuesday. Lockeridge to Honey Street. 29 miles 1500 feet
I drove the team to Lockeridge, just beyond Marlborough, where good friends Bob, Alison and dog Holly welcomed us with a cuppa in their beautiful garden,with it's views to open fields beyond. It was already almost 30 degrees, but after today, hopefully, it was forecast to be a little cooler.
We only stayed about 45 mins, since we had 30 miles to cycle and set off around 11.15. ( I had cycled this route with hubby a couple of years ago, when we peddled back to have lunch with our friends, but today we were planning to have lunch at Honey Street cafe.)
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| And we're off, starting in Lockeridge. |
We left Lockeridge towards Clatford, which is a very quiet road through a high sided valley, and also soon offers shade from trees... very welcome in the current temperatures!
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The valley road, with plenty of welcome shade.
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Harvest time, along the valley road out of Lockeridge.
We are hoping not all the crops are cut yet,
since they look so much better when not cut!
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We swung around an area called West Woods to Clench Common and after around 5 miles, and a few undulations, reached the high point called Martinsell Hill. This is an Iron Age Hillfort, and is the 2nd highest point in Wiltshire.
We stopped to admire the view of course, and chatted to an artist capturing the scene. Being "artists" ourselves (😂), we could appreciate this. I also sent the drone up for an auto shot, and he was fascinated by this.
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| Artist at work at Martinsell |
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the Iron age mound at Matinsell,
which was his painting subject. |
Thankfully what goes up, must come down and we enjoyed a long downhill now, my top speed 27.1mph, just pipped by Gill at 27.3. 💨💨💨😂
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I started at the back, but soon overtook
Jeanette and Daphne trying to catch Gill on the way down. |
A few more miles, and we arrived dropping down into the picture postcard Wooton Rivers, with it's many thatch properties, on the river Avon.
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| Wooton Rivers. |
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| Wooton Rivers. |
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| Passing over the Kennet & Avon Canal in Wooton Rivers |
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Jeanette overtaking at the top of our next climb.
On an ebike this year, after a few months off the bike.
( she was great!) |
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This is why I hoped the crops had not been harvested.
Beautiful golden fields. |
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| Taken a breather, whilst I take a photo. |
Heading around an area named "Sunnyhill", it was definitely sunny, and it also had some hills, we were enroute to a teastop at Pewsey Wharf.
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| The K&A at Pewsey Wharf. |
Disaster!!!! The Wharf Cafe is closed on Tuesdays!
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| But this local boater, advised us to head into Pewsey for tea instead. |
A slight deviation from our route to go into Pewsey, but Gill, Jeanette and I had been her for an art exhibition last autumn. (the reason we decided to come to ride in this area). So we parked up opposite the great cafe we had used last time, and had the most amazing ICED PEACH TEA. It was delicious, and crucially, cold .
Our route turned left at this church, and became a track... for quite a long way. And deteriorated into a muddy path, fortunately dry.
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| Can't keep up with Gill who loves a bit of offroad. |
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| Oops! Who planned this? 😂 |
But soon, it turned into a very acceptable pathway, and I thought a good place for the drone to follow us, so set that up as a "follow" shot. But the drone had other ideas!!! It shot off to the left into a field of long grasses, and landed. The grass too long for the drone to take off again. The fence thankfully not high, but barbed wire over the top. Since I had connected the drone to my phone, I was a able to have it make a sound.. to the effect that it would not take off, but at least audible for Jeanette to kindly scurry into the field through a gap in the fence and retrieve it. Phew. It went back in my bag in disgrace.
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now leaving this driveway through another gate and
back onto proper roads. |
The next village was Manningford, with this unusual thatch roof.
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Elephant on the roof!
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A long downhill through Hilcott, and into Woodborough, with a brief sighting of our 1st White Horse to our right, between hedges. We were approaching lunch stop in Honey Street, and it was 2.30. Would they still be serving lunch? 😖
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| Honey street cafe next to the K&A canal. |
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Daphne putting a wet "cold" scarf over her head.
I had left the gopro running on my bike.😂
(This would explain why my battery had run out when we set off again. 😖) |
We moved to a table in the shade after a few minutes, and enjoyed a delicious snack lunch.
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As we set off after lunch we had a hill to climb. Knap Hill.
As the others continued, I stopped to take this photo of the
WHITE HORSE, now on our left. (The Alton Barnes White Horse) |
We were well spaced out on the climb, doing our own pace. I stopped part way for another photo. The benefit of Jeanette's bike is that she was first up, and took photographic evidence.
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| Half way. |
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| At the top of Knap Hill. |
And once more a fabulous long downhill followed and the afternoon light on the grasses was beautiful.
Not too far to go and it all seemed easy going, as we headed to East Kennet to swing around to West Overton.
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Just one rather cheeky climb passed this thatch, as we rode around West Overton Church
(how cruel!), and we finished on a downhill back to Lockeridge.
Looking rather hot and sweaty as we got back to the van.
Jeanette looking pleased with her accomplishment. 😇 |
First 30 miles under our belt, before we loaded up the van with the bikes, and drove about 30mins to Devizes, to check into The Bear Hotel. A great day.
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| Terrible photo as Gill got the drinks orders in at the Bear Hotel! |
We had a very nice meal in town, followed by "piece to camera" in the market place opposite our hotel Except that I forgot to press record on my microphone, so may or may not use it! 😁 (we did a retake the following morning in the garden).
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| Route Day 1 Lockeridge to Honey Street. |
Day TWO. 2nd July Wednesday. Devizes to Corsham via Lackock. 34 miles 1500 feet.
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| Piece to camera Take 2! lol. |
I am a member of a FB group called Beautiful Wiltshire, and a few weeks ago, I had asked for any suggestions of places to visit within a 30 miles radius of Devizes, including cafes and lunch stops and points of interest. They were so helpful. I had put stickers on the OS map, and using those, I had planned the routes for the following days. There are unfortunately 5 major roads coming into Devizes, so I did my best to avoid those wherever possible. And we did.
On today's agenda was teastop at NT Lacock Abbey, and lunch in Corsham.
After a shaky start, missing the left turn, we soon left to the north of Devizes, to join a track.
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I feared the worst when my route planning arrived at this gate!
But a handy gap just to the right. Phew.
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Nice house beyond the gate.
Great path to start with. And then.....
And then........ |
Ok, plan B. Lets detour for a bit. Not far, then all good.
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Our first views of the distinctive RoundwayTrees, which would see
for miles on our travels in the area. |
Back on tarmac, and having climbed out of Devizes a long downhill was our reward as we headed through Rowdefield, to Rowde, and across the A342 to more lanes to Bromham.
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Drone sometimes behaved itself!
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We arrived at a junction with the church, so of course went for a look. The Lady Vicar and her husband were there are chatted to us. (Also had useful WC!)
The church was used by Cromwell’s forces during the lead up to the Battle of Roundway Down, Devizes 13th July 1643. The walls of the chantry chapel and Sir Rogers Tocotes tomb and effigie contain interesting graffiti from that and later periods in the churches history
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| St Nicholas Church, Bromham |
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| The Vicar asked Gill's advice about how to restore the old Banner. |
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| The ancient graffiti |
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| 1698 Graffiti |
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We saw lots of Buddlea, and butterflies, on this trip, especially
on the canalside. |
Our next village was Sandy Lane, where the same Vicar also conducted the services, in a very different church building.
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| Thatch church in Village of Sandy Lane. |
Soon we arrived at some grand entrance gates to a property called Spye Park, on the left, before our steep descent to Lackock on Bowden Hill. I requested a stop, and as we pulled up, a runner was doing some stretching. (no house now, as destroyed twice, once during the Civil War of 1590's. A second major house destroyed by fire in 1970's). The opposite gates were signed as Bowden Park.
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Arriving at top before we drop into Lacock.
A tiny runner doing her stretches in front of Daphne. |
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lol. The lady was very chatty and loved the drone.
She lives in Lacock and had run up here, and is about
to run down Bowden Hill. |
We told her that our plans for the day, included lunch in Corsham, the idea to buy sandwiches to take to Corsham court gardens. She recommended a Deli in the town called "number 3". Ok, we will look out for that then!
And now a BIG downhill to Lacock, with a brief stop after about 100 yards for a big view.
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| here comes the runner as we stop for the view. |
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I'll never catch Gill now.
Think I must have braked. 😂 |
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Bottom of the hill. Lacock Abbey.
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Getting our priorities right.
Gill paid for everything as usual. 😉😅 |
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| Taken by, and including, Jeanette's finger. 😂 |
With tea and looking around the Abbey we were there for about 1.5 hours. All National Trust members, so cost us nothing.
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| Drone shot |
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| By Gill |
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| Cloister Courtyard |
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| yee old shopping list in the kitchen. |
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| A huge collection of books everywhere. |
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| As we emerge it's VERY bright and hot! |
We leave Lacock straight into a short climb, but soon easy going as we head about 7 miles to Corsham. Corsham Court Gardens was also recommended by a Facebook member.
We passed some grand looking gates presumably for Corsham Court, as we arrived in the town, but first to find the Deli "Number 3"
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Pretty town of Cosham, centre pedestrianized and NO CYCLING.
We spotted the A frame board for the deli.....
but failed to notice the shop was right next to the board.😃
And walked straight passed. |
As we ordered our takeaway lunches (all delicious), we mentioned that a lady runner at the top of Bowden Hill had recommended the shop. "ah... that would be Mum" he said. 😂😂😂
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Gates to Corsham Court.
Gill and Jeanette with brown paper bags with our lunch.
The handles on Gill's broke before we got there! |
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Picnic lunch on the churchyard bench
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And then to the garden at the big house, where there was one male Peacock and I think 3 Peahens, next to the front door where we got our tickets.
The garden laid out more as a arboretum, with open views beyond a haha, by Capability Brown, so not very colourful, but still enjoyable.
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The walled garden had more colour.
These are Alstromeria. |
Slightly chaotic as we left Corsham as the school run was in full swing. We did a different loop back to Lacock, then started our climb up part of Bowden Hill, but then a turn off before it got steep. We still had to gain the same elevation of course, but I had planned to do this on a track called Clink Lane, rather than have traffic following us. (I had questioned if anyone of the FB group could confirm that this track was ok? yes I was told.) SO let's find out!
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Start of our off road track, which turns out to be
part of the huge estate. |
It was initially a good surface, but then as it got steep, the gravel got deeper, and not so easy to ride on. I think Gill stayed on, but the rest of us walked a bit, to soon join a beautiful tarmac road up to Chittoe.... which got steeper still. But we made it. My GoPro batteries all used up, so no more filming today, which was a shame, since our last few miles would take us to join the Caen locks into Devizes.
But we had to climb uphill first, where we saw some steps up to the canal. What!!! Nightmare. Gill went to check it out, but thought we were all following...... which we werent. I walked up, to check the situation, then came back to get my bike and assist with Jeanette's heavier bike.
We fancied an ice cream at the Canal cafe, but we were so late, that it was shut. So, drinks at the hotel bar then instead. My hubby was tracking my progress today and couldn't believe the late finish of 5.15. We had only done 30 miles. 😛😍
Another very nice meal in town tonight. "Piece to camera" another failure, with beautiful audio, but the camera battery died. 😖😖😖 I need a team to assist!
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| Day 2 Route Devizes to Corsham via Lacock |
Day THREE. 3rd July Thursday. Visit to Bath.
The idea of a non cycling day, started when Jeanette thought she might opt out one day, and go to Bath on the train.......for a rest. I haven't been to Bath for many years, and neither had Gill or Daphne, so we planned to all go together. There is no station in Devizes, and to drive and find parking (for my van) at a station, didn't appeal to me. Instead, we drove close to Bath, (about 45 mins) driving through some beautiful countryside, with enormous hills as we got closer. (Note to self. We are NOT cycling near Bath !!)
We used a Park & Ride. 2 of the ladies even got to use their bus pass.😂 Daphne had heard about a free walking tour, so we headed to join that starting at 10.30 near the Cathedral. I just used my phone for photos today.
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Gill trying to find shade as we waiting to start.
Another hot day, around high 20's. |
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This is a "bath" with no roof, and which is often rented for hen nights apparently
with lot of screams heard all around. 😂 |
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Our very knowledgeable guide, John, one of the Mayor's free guides.
He made the tour very interesting. (none of which I remember!) |
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| We walked up this street ahead. |
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| Quite a few buildings still have original painted signage. |
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Jeanette's idea of a restful day out in Bath, turned out to be
more tiring than cycling! We were knackered.
(chance for a sit down here at the Royal Circle) |
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Got this shot just in time before "rent a crowd" arrived.
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| Great clouds at times today. |
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The poor lawns are really suffering this year. Would look so much better with
a green lawn. |
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Piece to Camera in Bath at the end of our trip.
(since last nights attempt failed!)
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The Sat Nav for whatever reason, took us back a different route towards Bradford on Avon. WOW what a huge hill again!
We got back to our hotel by 4ish. Daphne went for a wander whilst 3 of us, after a cuppa, walked with our folding chairs and art supplies to sit by the canal to sketch.
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And this duck and her 7 chicks amused us as they
tried to get out of the lock a few times, before finally walking past us.
(photo by Jeanette) |
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Well.... it was fun and relaxing.
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Another excellent meal that night, just 2 doors down from our hotel, at "The Peppermill".
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| The Last suppoper at The Peppermill.. |
Day FOUR. 4th July Friday. Devizes to Steeple Ashton via Urchfont. 36 miles 1400 feet.
Our last day. We checked out, left our luggage in the van, and set off for our final ride. Almost immediately, Gill announced that she couldn't change gears. (she and I have electronic) She had changed the battery just a few days ago, so this was worrying. It's a huge faff to change the handlebar battery, and she struggled to get the cover undone, using my 20p piece.
We rode to the bikeshop in town, where a screwdriver did the job. Battery replaced and off we set.............. only to find out that it was still a problem. I said we would just forget the ride, but Gill insisted that we should still go, without her. I gave her the van key so that she could get changed, and get her sketch book out.
We set off initially on the same exit from Devizes on the rough pathway, then headed on a different route, towards Coate. My garmin had a message pop up "Call from Gill". (I realised I still had my phone on silent from overnight!). I called her, to get the news that she had managed a "manual" workaround, so she could change gears, by getting off the bike, to press a button on the back wheel. 😕😖😄. She would make her way on a more direct route to meet us at our planned teastop in Urchfont.
Meanwhile... back to todays planned route.
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| Big barn on Coate Road. |
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| And now we are 3. |
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First of many times we crossed the canal today.
This near Little Horton. |
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Then fabulous open views... but windy!
Between Horton and Allinngton |
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| Wheeeeeee. |
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K&A again at All Cannings.
It was about now another message popped up from Gill. "I'm here at the pond". lol She beat us!
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An unavoidable half mile of a busy A342, so we were glad to see our left turn to Urchfont, where we planned our teastop at a village shop. I stopped as we approached the village centre, passing these two beautiful houses on a corner.
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| Side elevation of same house. |
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| Bluebell Cottage. |
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| Urchfront Pond. And Gill is here. |
First, a visit beyond the pond to where the Church is signposted.
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Every seat was taken as we arrived! Friday is a village social meet up.
But thankfully some of them were just finishing. |
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| Opposite the shop in Urchfont. |
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| And in the village centre. |
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Now we leave Urchfont to the left, heading
towards Potterne. |
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| Back to a full team. |
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| Gill already a dot in the distance on this downhill. 😂 |
A cheeky climb to Potterne, with Jeanette in the lead using her power. Quite right !
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| high over Potterne. |
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The flags showing how strong the wind was today.
(no drone) |
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| Bulkinton had lots of interesting houses. |
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| lunch stop in Steeple Ashton. |
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| Pub garden behind? |
As we arrived behind the pub, it was busy, but lots of young people in funeral outfits. Initially we thought we probably wouldn't get served, but infact they already had been served their buffet and were just socialising now. So a fairly quick service, but with limited choice on the lunch menu today. It was enough, to last until icecream o'clock.
A visit to the church with its tall Steeple, that we passed on the way in, but there was another funeral about to start there, so we gave it a miss. But I spotted this property next to the church.
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| Old tractor in the driveway, next to Steeple Ashton Church. |
A figure of 8 now back to a X roads, to head towards Great Hinton, and Seend Cleeve. As my Garmin showed a left turn off a road, I saw no obvious turn.... it was a gate with a track! I checked all this on the map! We went in anyway, and it was doable, but not well used.
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oh dear. hopefully not for too long!
I heard Daphne scream as a wild Rose grabbed her ankle
and was bleeding. |
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| A property with a gate and a steep uphill ahead. 😖 |
But once we were up, great views and a long downhill again now, to eventually join the canal path. The first stretch a bit narrow at times, but we managed, and joined the wider path alongside the Caen Hill flight of locks to finish.
I had high hopes of flying my drone at the bottom of the flight of locks, but it was windy, AND I could not see for the sun on my phone screen to know where the drone was facing. Very frustrating. Need to get out more and practice.
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| Day 4. Devizes to Steeple Ashton via Urchfont. |
