Many thanks to Chris for organising a new route today. Nice to see some different country lanes beyond the familiar lanes to Bramley.
Chris's Garmin route
We started from Risley, then up Bull Lane. Where we normally turn right towards Beech Hill, we continued straight, taking a left at the next junction. Then a right, passing one of the main entrance to Stratfield Saye. Continuing straight for almost 3 miles, we arrived at the level crossing in Bramley. A
long wait there for a goods train to eventually come through.
Once through Bramley, we took a quiet lane to the left (the one before Vyne Road), called Cufaude Lane. This is also part of cycle route 23. This continued for a couple of miles bringing us eventually onto Pyotts Hill Chineham. It was about this point that Daphne realised she had been stung on her neck.
 |
| Gill applying cream to Daphnes sting |
Within a few minutes Gill realised that she had also been stuck, through her shirt, onto her stomach and nasty red mark was growing. More cream offered by Susie from her first aid kit.
We continued using some cycle paths cutting through the edge of Chineham, bringing to the pretty village of Old Basing, turning left into Hatch Lane.
 |
| Old Basing |
 |
| Hollyhocks |
 |
| Waiting to cross over |
At the junction with Greywell Road, we turned left where Conkers Garden centre offered an amazing selection of cakes, and teas too. I opted for a lemon crumble cakes accompanied by Lemon and Ginger tea. They even has pretty toilets and a rather unusual view of the adjoining gardens.
 |
| Conkers tea shop |
 |
| Pretty loos! |
 |
| Chris, Daphne, Susie, Lucy, Kay, Vanessa, Beverley, Gill |
 |
| Giraffe down! |
 |
| not often we spot an Elephant on our rides! |
Gill's sting/bite was still troubling her, so Susie now offered an antihistamine tablet. This was not to be the last!
Turning left out of Conkers we now continued along Greywell Road, over the M3, and after a mile a left again toware Newnham, crossing back over the M3.
Cutting off a corner, we cycled through the grounds of Tylney Hall, emerging at a junction and straight on towards Lyde Green, and right at 18 miles into Hartley Wespall. stopping for moment at the Church.
 |
| Hartley Wespall Church |
Soon we turned left signposted to Danesfield School, which we normally do in the opposite direction, so enjoyed a nice downhill rather than the usual climb. At this point Lucy pulled on the brakes, and called out. We assumed a puncture, but now Lucy had been stung, spitting out the offending wasp/bee. She was clearly in pain. Another offering of antihistamine tablet. Poor Lucy. A few minutes recovery time, and we continued. Crossing the busy A33 at the Wellington Arms, then right on to Trowes Lane for our return to Risley.
A lovely ride, not without incident unfortunately, and hope that all those nasty stings are now OK.
Big thanks to Chris and Susie for getting us out.
