Wokingham to Sherfield on Loddon - 35 miles

With some of my alternate-Monday cycling buddies on holiday or stuck in 14 day quarantine after returning from holiday, Daphne joined me today on a ride to check out "The Coffee Shop" (was previously House 28 Cafe) , in Sherfield on Loddon. It sadly closed due to Covid lockdown, but I discovered that it recently was reopened by new owners. It was a good cafe anyway, sharing a property with a small Post office, so would be interesting to see what changes, if any, had been made to make it more Covid friendly. I understand that the entrance to the post office is now completely separate too.

I have always driven to Riseley to start a ride to Sherfield on Loddon, but since a lot of us have been building up our miles during Covid Lockdown, today I rode from home, meeting Daphne enroute, making a 35 mile round trip, and adding in a couple of new lanes for good measure. On my road bike today.

route

We met in Finchampstead and went up Church Lane, and then down White Horse Lane, where there were plenty of cattle around today.

Peaking through the fence

That lovely clump of tree on White Horse Lane.  Must come back in winter.

Now over Eversley Ford to cut through Bramshill.

Heather in flower along the forest track.

Beautiful morning light in the forest and warming up now from a chilly start. Jackets off time!

We follow out familiar route through Hazeley where the light in the woods is also magical this morning.

Hazeley

Passing this junction enroute to Hazeley

As we arrive at the junction opposite The Shoulder of Mutton pub, the road surface at the junction is still horribly potholed. They have been resurfacing in Plough Lane for months, so WHY have they stopped short of this horrible junction? There were actually 2 workers vans parked up (no work happening), so are they about to do something? Its really dangerous if you approach at speed from the other direction. 

View if you stand on tiptoe, behind the Shoulder of Mutton

Now heading to Mattingley, we stop for a few minutes at the pretty church.

Mattingley church

Daphne spotted these holes where metal pins are missing from the lettering on this gravestone

We now join the B3349, but take 2nd right, into Cowfold Lane, which takes us towards Rotherwick, which we are familiar with coming often in the opposite direction. Just as we approach the junction (next to Tilney Hall), this house with a largish pond with lots of Bulrushes.

The Street, Rotherwick

And now we turn right towards Hartley Wespall, on Frog Lane

Just a short distance further along. One for Daphne's children as a joke. 

There is a rather large grey farm building (top left) which is really difficult not to include in photos of the sunflower field!

Soon we turn left into Mill Lane

Beautiful garden of the Old Millhouse in Lyde Green

The Old Millhouse garden, ( a sneaky peak through the back gate next to the old waterwheel)

Looking through to the water with the garden beyond

And Daphne did enjoy one of the apples

Some beautiful white trunks of the Birch trees in the grounds 

Pretty thatch opposite the little ford

As we come to the junction, we notice a church sign, so detour slightly here into Turgis Green Lane, where we recognise the church from a previous ride. It's St Mary's Church (If we had continued ahead here, we would have approach the junction at the top of Daneshill School road. We would return that way later). We spend a few minutes here, then turn back the short distance to continue on our route.

Cyclamen

Inside the porch.... and on closer inspection

Saddle fungii

Now we join the A33, but use the footpath for no more than 100 yards, before crossing onto the "old road" to arrive at our coffee stop. But enroute we spot this scarecrow!

Lots more seating now outdoors at "The Coffee Shop"

Lovely coffee, tea and cake and after a natter, we're on the return trip, on familiar route to Fairoak Green Junction around Stratfield Saye, crossing at The Wellington Arms, and up the slog past Daneshill School. At the "green triangle" we keep left and eventually cross the B3349 at The New Inn, Heckield. Another slog up Laundry Lane.  I was expecting to see loads of Himalayan Balm up this lane, but there was none. Guess they must have cut it down. (I'm sure it will be back).  Then we enjoy the downhill passing the Wellesley Water Meadow place, and then right on the Devils Highway to Thatchers Ford. 

Thatchers Ford where Daphne spots a photograph in the tree in memorium to
someone who we guess liked this spot.

Crossing that awful "not at all bike friendly" bridge at the ford, we notice lots of
new Willow trees have been planted. And also Himalayan Balm here 

So from the ford, the only way is up, and our last slog of the day up Sandpit Lane to Farley Hill. Phew. Worst is now over, as we cut through to Nine Mile Ride via the cyclepath to Hogwood ind Estate.

Considering its pretty flat around here, we climbed over 1000 feet, so felt like we had a good workout. So nice to take it more gently and stop for lots of photos. Thanks for your great company Daphne.