Phew! That was a tough one.
With hubby today, we drove to Kintbury and parked by the canal having a picnic lunch before we set off. The first 3 miles were a climb........... and so were the next 22 off and on!!
The route ( takes a few seconds to open). It's almost correct!
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| Kintbury lock. Our starting point |
We climbed into Kintbury village and took the road left, towards Inkpen.
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| Inkpen |
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| Inkpen |
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| We left Inkpen towards Ham |
Leaving Ham we continued to Shalbourne, with a nasty hill called Carvers Hill which went on a bit too long for me. I walked a hundred yards or so, where it joined the main road, (A338), which we crossed diagonally.
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| Enjoying the views at the top after just crossing the A338 |
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| The crop fields were glowing gold today and great clouds too. |
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| near Wilton |
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| We spotted this field with a blue haze. |
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| Decided to park up and walk into the field to see what the flowers were. |
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| Turned out to be Borage |
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| The views as we approach Wilton Windmill |
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| Looking back to the Windmill |
We then joined the A338 for a very short stretch , and turned right in to Dark Lane, and once more crossed the canal, before we spotted a great ice cream stop.
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| Winding the canal lock gates |
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| crossing the canal |
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Crofton Bean Engine, which used to pump water to the canal, now a historic building
with recently opened as a visitor attraction, with a cafe. |
After our ice cream, off again, and at last a flatter ride towards Great Bedwin, where we stopped to photograph these lovely crop fields.
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| Bedwin Church steeple just visible. |
Then, on our way to Froxfield...
At Froxfield, we crossed over the A4, UP, please note UP!!! Littlecote Road. Nearly got off, but managed to stay on in 1st gear. Once up, and nice ride down, eventually rejoining the A4 for a matter of a few hundred yards into Hungerford, where once more we crossed the canal on Bridge Street.
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| The Kennet and Avon Canal at Hungerford |
From Hungerford we crossed through the Hungerford Park Estate, a lovely ride with cattle grids at each end, and fairly flat. This road continued into Kintbury and back to where we began at Kintbury Lock.
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| Kintbury Lock |
Quite a tough ride, but some beautiful villages and views on the way, so worth the climbs for the variety of views. Phew!
