It was forecast for strong winds today, and it certainly was spot on. We parked at Riseley, and started by heading to Bull Lane and on to Beech Hill,
I have never seen the cows in front of the farm house before. Saves cutting the lawn.
route
then down the lane next to the church, then at the cross roads, left into Cross Lane.
Left then right into Goodboy lane, which having never been there until recently, have now ridden 3 times. A nice little lane, other than a bit smelly near the recycling centre. At the junction of Goring Road we turned left, and continued, on a bit of a climb, passing New Road on our left, and taking next left. (this was an extra loop and left into New Road, would have cut out some the hill.) But a nice loop and we would have missed this little cottage if we had not continued to the second left.
Next a right turn into Mortimer Lane, and just passed a house on the left, a narrow right fork on an undulating Nightingale Lane which emerges near the top end of Mortimer. (left to the war memorial).
Continuing along the main road, and down a big hill we turned left into Church Lane, heading for Mortimer West End. This road drops down steeply crossing a bridge then a climb up to Silchester turning left into Wall Lane, skirting the edge of Silchester. At the junction where I normally would emerge from the left (Clappers Farm Road), we continued straight and soon came to St Mary's Church, where we sat on a bench next to a pond for our snack.
Next we continued downhill for a while. this changes to Ash Lane, where I recognised a farm where I have often seen highland cattle, (although I approach from the other direction, and there were no cattle today.) Not much further at a triangle... I normally would have come from Frog Lane), but go straight and stopped for a photo at the pretty cottage I have photographed before (when I once took a wrong turning.... but today it was right).
This road continues to Bramley Corner, and we turned left (before arriving at the level crossing), again using a lane I am more used to using in the opposite direction. Then a right, crossing over the railway, into Olivers Lane. A dogleg straight over, and continue to Foley Lane, where comes to the 5 road crossing junction called Fair Oak Green. (Active Tots). A right here, Mill Lane, and left fork into Great Dover Street.Then a right following the fenceline of Strafield Saye house, and across the main road, passing Daneshill School.
As we turn left at the top and drop down to a green triangle... I often go right here if heading back to Mattingley, but today parked at Riseley, we continue straight through the triangle. A nice lane, and John stopped to take a phone call.
After a while we cross the B3349 at the New Inn, Heckfield, and up Laundry Lane. At the top, a left turn then right at a busy roundabout, continuing a short distance before a right into an unmarked road, which skirts around Wellington Country Park, and passing the Water Meadows. Finally School Lane and Part Lane to get back. Phew!
I have never seen the cows in front of the farm house before. Saves cutting the lawn.
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| The farmhouse on Barge Lane |
route
then down the lane next to the church, then at the cross roads, left into Cross Lane.
Left then right into Goodboy lane, which having never been there until recently, have now ridden 3 times. A nice little lane, other than a bit smelly near the recycling centre. At the junction of Goring Road we turned left, and continued, on a bit of a climb, passing New Road on our left, and taking next left. (this was an extra loop and left into New Road, would have cut out some the hill.) But a nice loop and we would have missed this little cottage if we had not continued to the second left.
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| Wokefield Cottage on Lockram Lane, |
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| not sure how often the door is used. |
Next a right turn into Mortimer Lane, and just passed a house on the left, a narrow right fork on an undulating Nightingale Lane which emerges near the top end of Mortimer. (left to the war memorial).
Continuing along the main road, and down a big hill we turned left into Church Lane, heading for Mortimer West End. This road drops down steeply crossing a bridge then a climb up to Silchester turning left into Wall Lane, skirting the edge of Silchester. At the junction where I normally would emerge from the left (Clappers Farm Road), we continued straight and soon came to St Mary's Church, where we sat on a bench next to a pond for our snack.
Next we continued downhill for a while. this changes to Ash Lane, where I recognised a farm where I have often seen highland cattle, (although I approach from the other direction, and there were no cattle today.) Not much further at a triangle... I normally would have come from Frog Lane), but go straight and stopped for a photo at the pretty cottage I have photographed before (when I once took a wrong turning.... but today it was right).
This road continues to Bramley Corner, and we turned left (before arriving at the level crossing), again using a lane I am more used to using in the opposite direction. Then a right, crossing over the railway, into Olivers Lane. A dogleg straight over, and continue to Foley Lane, where comes to the 5 road crossing junction called Fair Oak Green. (Active Tots). A right here, Mill Lane, and left fork into Great Dover Street.Then a right following the fenceline of Strafield Saye house, and across the main road, passing Daneshill School.
As we turn left at the top and drop down to a green triangle... I often go right here if heading back to Mattingley, but today parked at Riseley, we continue straight through the triangle. A nice lane, and John stopped to take a phone call.
After a while we cross the B3349 at the New Inn, Heckfield, and up Laundry Lane. At the top, a left turn then right at a busy roundabout, continuing a short distance before a right into an unmarked road, which skirts around Wellington Country Park, and passing the Water Meadows. Finally School Lane and Part Lane to get back. Phew!