Riding from Henley is always delightful. Getting to and from Henley is not so delightful! Why was Sonning Bridge closed today. No signs to tell you anywhere that I saw!
The beech trees were just hanging on to the last of their leaves, but the carpet of leaves on the ground was pretty, even without any sunshine. Then continuing to The Pet Barn at Peppard, and diagonally across for the further climb to Stoke Row, turning left at the Unicorn Pub in to Wyford Lane, where things level out for a few miles.
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| Linda B, Carole, Linda H, Karan, Stephanie |
We spotted these cute Lamas at the end of Wyfold Lane.
Then 2 miles from Stoke Row on Busgrove Road, we stopped for a minute to see these piggies having a ball wallowing in the mud.
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| Stopping to see the Piggies |
On to Stoke Row, and tea stop at the Village Store, with the promise of "the worst if almost over". AS we left a laugh as Stephanie asked if anyone wanted to stop at The Taj Mahal. We all said no, without questioning that she meant The Maharajas Well. Lol.
A bit more climbing, over through Nuffield, then across the A4130 toward Park Corner, turning right to Russell's Water. At the top at last. The view across the valley not great today in the gloom.
Now once through Russells Water, the big downhill to the Stonor Valley.
The Stonor Valley is slightly downhill all the way back to Henley, but with todays winds, we had to work hard to make progress. Back along the riverside at Henley, then joined a Q into Henley. Gave, up turned around to head for Sonning, only find the bridge was closed. Headed on the Caversham. Not the most direct home from Henley! Grrrr.