Yesterday, I decided I was ready for a few gentle hills, so hubby "VintageCyclist" took me a route he knows well starting at Mill Lane at Marsh Lock, Henley. The only draw back seemed to be that the first 12 miles were uphill. Right off we go!
Route Map
here (takes few seconds to load)
Leaving Mill Lane at river level we immediately went uphill, a short section of the main road, then turned right into a quiet country lane, heading to Harpsden. Thankfully we stayed at low level here avoiding Chalk Hill and Perseverance Hill......... not ready for that ... EVER!
We however continue onto Devil's Hill, which beat me for just a few yards, turning right at Lychgate Farm, into Blounts Ct Road.
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| Lychgate Farm |
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| First lambs I have seen this year. |
We continued towards Peppard Common, turning left on Stoke Row Road into Wyfold Lane, then right heading through some lovley Beech Woods towards Stoke Row. Must go back soon when the bluebells are in flower.
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| Lovely shadows in the Beechwoods |
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| Me, taken by hubby, photographing the beech woods |
When we reached Stoke Row, we stopped for 5 mins at Maharajah's Well. I have seen it signposted for years, but never actually stopped. An interesting building, a well 368 feet deep!
history of the well
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| The garden next door to the well, has a very pretty house too. |
Continuing through Stoke Row, we now headed for Nuffield, finally crossing over the busy A4130, but almost immediately left into Huntercombe End, heading for Park Corner.
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| Standing on a style along Huntercombe End, and one of the many other cyclist out today. |
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| Views from Huntercombe End |
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| Hubby |
Next we joined the busy B481, but only for a mile or 2, before turning right at Cookley Green, towards Russellswater.
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| View from Cookley Green. I thought the clouds were fab, with a pinkish tinge. |
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| View once we turned towards Russellswater |
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| Red Kite and Kestrel |
Stopped for a few minutes at the ponds at Russellswater...... well you have to!
From Russellswater it is all downhill, on Park Lane towards Stonor.
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| Part way down Park Lane, and Stonor house visible on the left of the photo |
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| Tea stop after 19 miles at The Quince Tree. Busy with cyclist today! |
And now back through the Assendons, a pretty valley and all flat or slightly downhill. I loved the shadows cast by this large oak tree.
Used the path back into Henley, round the one way system, and joined the river side path back to Mill Lane.
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| Steamer at Henley |
24 miles including some hills. Progress!
