I was leading the ride today, since no Breeze Leaders available this week. Had done bits of this ride before, but not connected as one loop. The team were Susie, Lottie and Jackie. We decided to make a day of it, so although just 20 miles, had plenty of stops to admire the local churches, scenery , tea stop, and lunch at Benson. Left home at 09.30 got back 16.30. Lovely day out.
We parked at Stoke Row, and headed over to Cookley Green.
the Route (takes a few seconds to open)
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| At Cookley Green turned left following signs to Swynchombe Church |
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| Gorgeous dappled shade on our route downhill |
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| Lottie and I stopped to admire the views just short of Swynombe Church |
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| Red Kites abundant as usual today. |
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Part way down this lovely hill, turned off to Swyncombe church. The farmer
out cutting his crops. |
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| inside Swyncombe church |
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Our plan to race down hill towards Ewelme dashed by these young Pheasants.
We had to follow them slowly for a while since the hedgerows were too dense for them to get off the road. |
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| Half way down towards Eweleme now, and clouds building. |
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| Reminded me a bit of Tuscany |
We stopped at the Ewelme Almshouses where the Lavender was looking spectacular today.
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| Lottie taking some photos. There were hundred of bees. |
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The Courtyard of the Almshouses
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Rather than look at the church, we continued into the Village first for a tea stop, then climbed back up the road to the church to take a look inside. It was quite a steep little climb, especially straight after a break.
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| Ewelme Village Store |
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| Inside the church looking at the tombs of Thomas Chaucer and the Alibaster Tomb of Alice de la Pole. |
Eweme Church information
Next we headed out of Ewelme over to Benson, for lunch at the Waterside Cafe. Those heavy clouds by this time caused a short shower, and the temperature to drop, but nothing serious.
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| Waterside Restaurant..... everyone had dashed inside for cover ! |
Next (jackets on, except Jackie!), we crossed the weir and lock at Benson, and cycled along the towpath towards Wallingford.
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| Benson Weir Bridge |
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| Views from the towpath from Benson to Wallingford |
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| Approaching Wallingford Bridge, which we cross, then head towards Ipsden on Route 5 |
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| Wonderful easy roads at Ipsden |
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| A vast field of Poppies with their distinctive glaucous blue tones |
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| Jackie. |
The flat roads of Ipson, soon undulate, then the steep decent up to the Blue Tin Farm. We all made it! I stopped just to take a photo, then got back on. Its a tough hill!
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| Susie and Jackie plodding uphill. Doesnt look anything in a photo, but it goes on a bit. |
Finally at the top, joined out route back to Stoke Row, which on the return is a lovely freewheel downhill.
Well done ladies. thanks for your company, and glad to be able to show you some new areas of the Chilterns. Where next?
