A bright bank holiday if a little cool to start with, and the winds which have been with us for weeks still continue. Turns out we climbed 1519 feet. No wonder I felt weary by the end!
Route map
here (takes a few seconds to open)
We parked at Stoke Row, and headed towards Nuffield, turning left into Nuffield Hill passed the church, where we stopped for our first photos. I was carrying my DSLR today and was very aware of the extra weight on the bike.
 |
| Holy Trinity church, Nuffield |
After the church a wonderful ride down hill, stopping part way down to walk into a field too see the wonderful views.
And off again.....
At the bottom of the hill, (5 mile point) we took a left turn at an unmarked road, just before reaching the main A4130. We passed a pottery, and stopped once more for some photos this time of open views across the crop fields.
 |
| Man "outstanding in his field" |
 |
| Being a bank holiday we met loads of other cyclists out today. |
The Cow Parsleys along the sides of the lanes billowing at this time of year.
We crossed straight over the main road A4074, and on into Wallingford, stopping on the bridge for the next photos
 |
| The spire of St. Peter's church , Wallingford, taken from the bridge |
 |
| Messing about on the riverside. |
 |
| Across on the other bank, looks like an outing of "The Jolly Boys". |
Turning right in Wallingford, we cycled along Shillingford Road, which strangly enough brought us into Shillingford. The next 2 photo taken from the bridge at Shillingford, where we crossed back over The Thames. (We detoured for a mile or so to see if there was a tea stop in Shillingford Village, but found nothing).
Next we joined the Thames Path alongside the Thames, with views back to Shillingford Bridge. Loved the red barge.
 |
| John with Shillingford bridge behind |
After a couple of miles on the tow path, we came to Benson, where we cut through at the busy Waterside Cafe. Decided it was too busy to get served so carried on. Before crossing into Benson Village, another short detour (14 mile point) to see Benson Lock
 |
| I thought this house at the weir looked rather Constablesque |
Still no obvious tea stop in Benson, we continued on to Ewelme, knowing that the village store served teas. ( although we just made it as they stop at 1.00 on Bank Holidays!) As we arrived in Ewelme, a stop for some photos at the Watercress beds.
 |
| Spotted this bird next to the waterfall. A Moorhen I am told. |
 |
| Pretty Comfrey plants by the watercress beds. |
This road marker as we arrive in Ewelme
Lovely cuppa and cake at Ewelme village store and a chat with two other couples out cycling. (all on road bikes not Hybrids!). No toilets at the store, so a quick visit to the lovely Almshouses adjoining the church, where this is a loo.
And now for a choice. A climb faced us in both directions back to the start, and since hubby had always avoided the road from Ewelme to Swyncombe, we decided to give it a go. Walked a short bit of it at the steepest point, but pleased that I managed the rest. Phew!!
From Cookley Green, a short stretch on the busy B481, then right at Park Corner, eventually back into Nuffield, and down hill all the way back to Stoke Row.
Had I known the total ride would involve climbing 1500 feet............... !! But I made it.
And off again.....
