I was leading today with Carole, Stephanie and Linda B. A nice little semi familiar route, that went a bit wrong.... but only twice, adding 9 miles. Hey what's 9 miles between friends!
The Route MAP
Starting at The Pet Barn, Rotherield Peppard, we were suppose to turn Right at St John's church, but we went right(ish) not full right, and realised my mistake when we got to a pub I recognised in Caversham! We were chatting of course, but had a feeling it just did not feel right. Anyway we backtracked to St John's church and corrected the route, which went fine for a few more miles, then one more tiny mistake.... took a left turn too early, and had to backtrack once more. BUT we passed some lovely blue bell woods, twice, so not a huge problem.
We finally got to Exlade Street, over to Woodcote and down the lovely long hill to South Stoke where the scenery opens up to the wide crop fields.
Then over to Goring via The Leathern Bottle (Rossini's) track.
LOVELY CAKES at Piedmont Cafe in Goring, so I think the ladies forgave me the few extra miles.
Now up, up all the way passed Pig City, briefly crossing the A4074 and the climb up Bottom Lane to Checkendon. First time I have ever got up the hill in one go, so quite chuffed. We all did, but whilst Stephanie and Carole chatted the whole way up, Linda and I gasped the whole way. Passed some more lovely bluebells in Checkendon, before the right turn on to Wyfold Road and left where it meets Wyfold Lane (to Lama corner), but no Lama there today. Emerging at The Unicorn Pub a nice downhill back to the cars.
Thanks to all for your company..... and patience!
The Route MAP
Starting at The Pet Barn, Rotherield Peppard, we were suppose to turn Right at St John's church, but we went right(ish) not full right, and realised my mistake when we got to a pub I recognised in Caversham! We were chatting of course, but had a feeling it just did not feel right. Anyway we backtracked to St John's church and corrected the route, which went fine for a few more miles, then one more tiny mistake.... took a left turn too early, and had to backtrack once more. BUT we passed some lovely blue bell woods, twice, so not a huge problem.
We finally got to Exlade Street, over to Woodcote and down the lovely long hill to South Stoke where the scenery opens up to the wide crop fields.
Then over to Goring via The Leathern Bottle (Rossini's) track.
LOVELY CAKES at Piedmont Cafe in Goring, so I think the ladies forgave me the few extra miles.
Now up, up all the way passed Pig City, briefly crossing the A4074 and the climb up Bottom Lane to Checkendon. First time I have ever got up the hill in one go, so quite chuffed. We all did, but whilst Stephanie and Carole chatted the whole way up, Linda and I gasped the whole way. Passed some more lovely bluebells in Checkendon, before the right turn on to Wyfold Road and left where it meets Wyfold Lane (to Lama corner), but no Lama there today. Emerging at The Unicorn Pub a nice downhill back to the cars.
Thanks to all for your company..... and patience!