Since the Breeze Ride was fully booked, I went out as leader today on this 25 mile loop from Crazies Hill to Turville. I met Kathy, Liliana and Denise at Cantley, all fitting in my van, and we met Barbara at Crazies Hill
We dropped down to Aston, and along the lanes into Henley.
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| Willow tree almost coming into bud as we approach Henley |
Then around the town and joined the cycle way out of Henley into the Stonor Valley, where we took that nasty first right UP to Fawley. WELL DONE to Denise who stayed on. The rest of us walked up part of the way.
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| Regrouping at the top of the hill into Fawley |
On now to South End with views across the valley.
Into Northend, and we dropped down the megga hill into Turville where THIS was coming towards us.... I had just been saying to one of the ladies how timeless this area is. (shame about the hi vis jackets!)
A matter of a few yards further on , we screeached to a halt as Red Kite swooped down to the road and picked up a squirrel. It carried it a few yards, before dropped it. We stayed whilst the kite sat in the tree hoping it would come back down, but eventually we moved on into Turville.
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| Just ahead of Liliana, a dread squirrel and the red kite watching us in the trees above the road |
Into Turville and Denise did not know about the house where "Goodnight Mr Tom" was filmed, so we stopped to show her.
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| "Mr Tom's House" on the right |
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| The Windmill over the rooftops, where Chitty Chitty was filmed |
At this point, I gave the ladies the option of another hill up to Frieth, or the lower road to Hambleden. A unanimous "low road please!" I got a litte ahead, so was able to photograph them coming behind.
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| Barbara |
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| Kathy |
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| Liliana |
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| Denise |
I then spotted this little composition on the hillside. My phone camera struggled to cope with the shadows, so I turned it into an arty farty shot.
Now after 20 miles, our tea stop at Hambleden Village Shop.
I first visited the loos at the Village Hall, and as I came out, a very well dressed elderly lady with a walking stick was attempting to pick up 3 large bags. I asked if I could help, and she was very grateful. She said she lived in a cottage in the village, so I offered to walk with her. She had a foreign accent, which she told me was Italian. I asked how long she had lived in Hambleden? 60 years! She asked about me too. Then just as I was approaching her beautiful cottage, someone called out "Good morning Lady Hambleden". (Obviously they were not referring to me!)
During that short walk, I asked had she lived in the cottage for 60 years, and she said no, just 6 years. Before that she lived in the BIG house. I told her I write a cycling blog, and would she mind if I took her photo next to her cottage? No problem, and she thanked me again for my help. So here is Lady Hambleden. I googled her (as you do) and now know that she was born Countess Maria Carmela Attolico di Adelfia . born in Moscow 1930. What a charming lady.
A quick visit the Church where inside, they had decorated for Valentines Day.
All flat now...... until the next hill up from the Thames.
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| Hambleden Lock |
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| Last photo of the day. |
We of course all made it up the lengthy Aston Lane, a breeze compared to some of the hills around. What a great ride, with lots of interesting things to take our minds off those pesky hills.
