A new route today which John planned on new territory, but with a tea stop at the familiar Honesty Inkpen, which we have used on rides from Kintbury.
route
We parked at a NT car park called The Chase, just near Wash Water. The first 3 miles were gentle, then got steeper than a BIG up. Not a fast ride due to a lot of climbing, but even on the easier bits , so much debris on the lanes, that we picked our way through.
My camera today was being stupid and taking about 3 seconds to record a photo, and process it. Couldn't work out what on earth was going on until 18 miles and several "photos" later. It was shooting 4K burst mode, and when I downloaded, turns out it was video. So, the photos are screen grabs from video and therefore not very good. Eventually resorted to using my mobile phone. Aggh.
 |
| We start with a gentle climb which just gets worse |
We climbed to Ashmansworth then a big down, only to be followed by another big up to Faccombe. with some amazing views.
As we arrived into the centre of Faccombe, we spotted a herd of deer. Amongst them were 4 Albino white ones, (Fallow deer), but by the time my camera worked, they had run off. Never seen white deer before. There were some other which someone came to feed, so they hung about although a bit wary of us so we left them. The guy told us they were Chinese.
 |
| The Chinese Deer |
We continued to Netherton where we took a few more photos.
 |
| Pretty steep here, so glad of a breather. |
And then onto to a beautiful village called Linkenholt, which is referenced in the Doomsday book.
 |
| Linkenholt Junction where we turn right |
 |
| Linkenholt snowdrops |
 |
| Linkenholt church |
And then a bit of roadblock.
More lovely views before our next right turn, following a sign to Buttermere.
We arrive at Ham Hill, and stop to admire the views before we drop down to Ham, which is a great downhill.
 |
| Top of Ham Hill. |
Once through Ham, we head for Lower Green, Upper Green
 |
| St David's Day and daffs by the pond. |
and finally the land starts to level out a bit as approach Inkpen. Our teastop is in Inkpen Common at the lovely Honesty Inkpen cafe.
 |
Raspberry and Almond cake. Delicious.
|
Just 6 more miles to go. Lovely ride and good weather, although still very blustery.
