Bank Holiday Monday, and after working most of the weekend, today I went out with John to a new area. He planned the route, which started at Itchen Abbas, not too far from Winchester.
Route
We parked in Avington Country Park car park, next to some Highland Coos!
Next we followed a lovely country Lane heading for Ovington, with more signs of cattle... babies this time.
 |
| We came up this hill to Titchorne. |
 |
| Cattle in Titchorne. Awe. hello! |
Next a wee detour into a very pretty village called Cheriton.
 |
| Cheriton |
 |
| Cheriton |
A bit of steep climb now, so power ON, and some gorgeous views as we head to Northend. At one point, we heard a steam train whistle, and I just managed to catch a photo before it disappeared out of sight. This was on the Watercress line, approaching Ropley.
 |
| Steam train, if you swint, going into Ropley |
We followed this lovely lane for several miles, although it said "road closed". Thankfully we didint need to turn back.
Now, as we arrived in Ropley, some cheering going on for PRAM RACE! Never seen this before, and also spotted Wallace and Gromit with some sheep on some contraption.
A bit further, and lovely downhill, then straight over the A31 and time for power once more on the UPHILL of Bighton Hill.
A few more photos.
 |
| Top of a big climb on the B3046 to Northington |
 |
| You are here. |
 |
| more lovely views. |
We stopped for tea and cake at a place called Long Bar near Alresford, and being Bank Holiday of course it was pretty busy, so a decent rest. The next part of the journey seemed to get hilly for a while. Then we spotted a blue haze in the distance, which turned out to be fields of flax. We got off and spent a few minutes taking photos.
Later a left turn at Martyr Worthy, brought us through a very pretty village called Easton where a couple of interesting cars were parked up at a pub.
 |
| Easton Village centre |
 |
| Easton Village centre |
Now an easy ride back to the start of our loop, over a cattle grid into Avington Country Park once more.
 |
| Back to the start Avington Country Park |
Fabulous ride, made all the more enjoyable with the occasional use of battery power.
