We parked at our friend's house in Lockeridge, nr Marlborough, and enjoyed a cuppa and a chat, before we left them, and went off on our bikes. We agreed that we would be back in around 3 hours and would have lunch in their lovely garden. e-bikes today.
Lockeridge is a very pretty village but I just realised that I forgot to take any photos before we left the village. We immediately headed uphill, in the direction of Clatford. From here a right turn and ride through a valley road with steep sides where cows were awkwardly feeding on the slopes.
We soon pass between two wooded areas, called West Woods, and follow this road to the A345. Enroute on that stretch, this crop field caught our eye so we stopped for a few photos. Think its wheat.
Crossing the main road, and going through Clench Common, we continue to climb after almost 5 miles of gradual uphill before reaching a small car park at Martinsell. According to Wikipedia, Martinsell hill is the 3rd highest point in the Wiltshire, at 948 feet about sea level. (we were at 700 feet at the car park).
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The yellow Ragwort was looking very colourful.
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So after 5 miles of uphill, we enjoyed a lovely whizz down to the pretty village of Wooten Rivers, arriving at this junction, and turning right.
We continue crossing the river Avon a couple of times, and also the K&A canal.
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I asked the little boy in red if he had spotted "Annie's Dream?" he replied that he didnt work here.. was just helping out. lol
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Further on, crossing the Canal once more. This is one of the locations I shot part of a film I made a couple of years ago with our friends Phil's boat called "Annie's Dream".
Checking the map. Garmin still not synching correctly after a week of the site being hacked. So annoying having to stop to check the map in a new area.
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| Chilled out lady. John shouted to her that she looked "very regal". |
We now ride a little way on the A345 into Pewsey, where we had planned to stop at the warfe for a few minutes, but a huge lorry was delivering a boat AND there was an ambulance there too, so we quickly moved on. As we join the Wilcot Road, this pretty church on out left, but there were grass cutters out with machines and strimmers just across the road, so all a bit noisy! So we quickly moved on again!
We turn at the junction of the Golden Swan pub, opposite some more thatch cottages, and continue along this road.
Now turning left at a church and a triangle of grass, where another lovely thatch cottage is pretty well hidden behind a hedge, with just a glimpse to the front door.
This lane is a dead end, but continues over a locked gate or style, so we lift the bikes over, and ride on pretty rough track through some maize crops.
With a detour from the planned route now (think we were slightly off course,although my guide was not admitting this until later!), we pass a field with some strange stripes, alternate red and green. Not sure what it is unless ruby chard?
A mile or so further on, we stop for a break at Manningford Bruce, at 15 miles.
All very flat now for a while passing through Hilcott and Woodborough and finally Honey Street. Just before reaching Honey Street, we see the White Horse in the distance. This is when John tells me we are riding up and over that hill. Oh joy.
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Junction at Honey Street where it is left towards Devizes, but we go straight on up.
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Barley crop on the junction at Honey Street
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We switched on power for the climb, since our bikes are heavy, but infact it was a pretty gradual incline, so no problem. Great views from the top.
And of course a fabulous downhill followed the climb. We return via 2 more pretty villages, East Kennet and one last climb into West Overton. (where a huge Ram was in a front garden, cutting the grass!) Now drop down to Lockeridge and back to the start where Alison has prefered a lovely lunch. Weather had started off a little cool for July, but by lunch time, perfect for sitting in their lovely garden, listening to the sheep in the adjoining fields.... and Holly the dog barking at any pigeons who dared come into the garden.
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Freshly cooked salmon blinis to start...
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followed by Coronation and mango chicken salad.
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Followed by a rather delicious Hazelnut pavlova. Well.... we had ridden 28 miles. Lovely day out. Got home at about 6.30pm.
