Our WLCG today, minus Jeanette😞
I had use of our van today so suggested a starting point further afield. It's a while since I've started in Bradfield, and no one else had been before, so off we went. 5 cars, with me collecting Martina's huge bike in my van. The forecast was for possible rain, and infact it started drizzling even before we got there.....and continued until well into our ride.
route
Because we had 5 cars, we couldn't park in the usual spot I use when with John, so we parked in Bradfield Southend Village hall car park, which is fine on the way out, but a horrible hill to end on the way back! However, the bonus of starting at Southend is the lovely drop down into Stanford Dingley just after a mile or so. Several Halloween scarecrows as we left the car park today.
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Stanford Dingley Church. We turn left soon after the church
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From Stanford Dingley, we head for Bucklebury and cross the ford. It's a shame that the big Willow tree has been cut down. We were there in summer time with the grandchildren who had great fun in a rubber dingy.
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Bucklebury Ford
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We continue now climbing towards Marlston Hermitage, passing the impressive school on our left.
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The view opposite the school, is their playing field. Not too shabby!
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Marlston Road beyond the school. A sharp right coming up
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Heading now towards Frilsham, we continue along a flattish lane. Stopped for some reason next to this gate. Think someone had a phone call?
The next section is through woodlands towards Frilsham. I could have stopped loads of times for photos, but had to keep going or we would never get there! The overcast sky made the golden and brown foliage look gorgeous.
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Woods near Frilsham
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At the bottom of a hill and at the T junction (signposted right to Pot Kiln Pub), we turn left and over the M4 bridge, approaching Yattendon. We consider a stop at The Pantry, hoping the rain might stop, but decide to press on to our planned stop at Hampstead Norreys.
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Oh no! Flat tyre. Andrea tries to top it up and keep fingers crossed!
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We now drop down a long hill which is where the red poppies were in the summer time, and turn right towards Hampstead Norreys, where we park up for the Village shop.
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Hampstead Norreys community shop
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3 of the ladies opted for the hot chocolate.
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| Still drizzling and we're off again. Andrea's tyre flat again😌 |
Unfortunately, having enjoyed the drop down to tea, we face a gradual but long climb out of here. I was particularly pleased that I did the next hill without using my power button, and everyone else made the hill without stopping. Brilliant... well done team! I did stop part way up, just to get the next photo. I have stopped here before in different seasons but always on the way DOWN!
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Martina and Lynne pass as I stop for the photo
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I manage to pass them, and here they come at the top.
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Adding a bit more air... so far so good.
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Next a long downhill, then briefly we join the A4009 to Aldworth, but take a left fork uphill again, towards the Church
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| Aldworth Church. Martina and Lynne coming up the hill |
I had been speaking to my fiend Debi just yesterday about this church. I had never been inside, although John had. They both referred to the Giant Effigies. These are amazing, since these people were 7' tall. So we all popped in for a look.
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| Pretty cottage near the church entrance |
We passed The Old Bell pub just a man was coming out carrying an enormous glass of beer. 4 pints in one glass or something. lol Now we enjoy the easy then very steep road between Aldworth and Lower Basildon, without actually going into the village. At the bottom a right turn along a road which climb to Upper Basildon. We heard gunfire and I spotted these sheep all looking quite startled. A few yards further on there is a "shooting school", so you would think they would get used to the sound.
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on the edge of the field of sheep. Pretty hedge
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Pressing on, uphill, we separate a little but regroup at this Y junction. We could continue left which is I think steeper, than the option to go right, then next left to take us to the same place.
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We take this right turn, the more gentle route
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At the junction. More air. Seems to work to get a bit further
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Passing through Upper Basildon on Gardeners Lane, we drop down eventually to cross a road, then soon take a right turn, taking us down a steep hill under the M4, with a climb up again then flat for a bit where we stop once more for Andrea to add more air to her tyre....so close now!!!
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almost back in Bradfield on Dark Lane
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We pass the place where I normally park, then climb up to Bradfield Cross roads and turn right. There is a horrible hill on this section, and I had to press my power button for only the second time today. The others seem to weave and wobble a bit, but all made it. Less than half a mile and we are done.
Great work ladies. I am so impressed how far you have come in tackling these "undulations". I think we all agreed a lovely ride, and must revisit another season.
