I had spotted a new cafe at the crossroads in Wargrave last week, and without knowing if it opened on Mondays, led a ride there today. Fingers crossed, since plan B was back up the hill!
A cold start again today of 6 degrees, and I met my friends on Smiths Walk as they arrived from Crowthorne and Finchampstead. Just for the sake of variety of a route to get out of Wokingham, we initially crossed over the Oxford Road, cutting through Mount Pleasant to cross the pedestrian bridge over the railway and into St Paul's church yard. The light on the church this morning was glorious.
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| View through the hedge as we enter Billingbear Road |
At the bottom of the hill, we crossed straight over into the bridal way, which I have used a couple of times now, to link to Ryehurst Lane.(on my Trek Hybrid today). The others had not been there before, or not remembered if they had.
Now a detour down Westley Mill lanes, enjoying that new tarmac, and after a short section on Howe lane, left at the roundabout, and followed this road until we take a right into Beenhams Heath, and stopped to look at a planning application for this lovely old building.
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| Selfie by Daphne. Turned out pretty good! |
At the 5 way junction at Waltham St Lawrence, we turn left now on the Twyford Road into Ruscombe, (where we often turn right into Castle End Road), but today take next right into New Road, to take us to the A4 where we can cross straight over, and start our descent into Wargrave on Mumberry Hill, passing what look like vineyards but apparently are Raspberry Canes.
A lovely down hill into Wargrave. There are only a couple of tables inside the new shop, but we are lucky to get one with 4 chairs, just as someone is leaving.
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| Look at the size of those pastries! |
After a delicious cake, and I'm told that coffee was also very good, we cut through to Wargrave Church where the trees were looking as lovely as ever.
The rest of our journey was along Loddon Drive to Charvil where we cut through to Sandford Lane, and through Dinton Pastures back to Winnersh.
Turned out a gorgeous morning and pretty warm by the end. Thanks Susie, Daphne and Linda for your good company as always, and well done on your 30+ miles to get back home.