Wargrave to Marlow - 22 miles

on

Boxing Day and it was a cold morning, but by 10ish it had warmed up significantly to 6 degrees. John and I drove to Wargrave to start our ride to Marlow.  I've never seen to many people out walking! With restrictions that no one other than support bubbles can meet indoors, loads of people meeting outdoors today, and as far as we could tell plenty of large groups not sticking to the rule of meeting "one other person." It's so difficult, since families have not seen each other over Christmas. Any woodland walks are absolutely filthy atm, which is probably why we saw so many just walking on country lanes. 

route

Thames at Hambleden is almost flooding

The weir almost the same height as the river

We rode up the Hambleden Valley Road all the way to the end today, and then turned right to climb to Frieth.
The hill to Frieth to our right, coming up soon. 

We crossed the Xroads in Frieth and continued straight on all the way, passing the lovely views to our left on the ridge. John usually takes off the right on this road and loops to Lower Woodend, missing this view. This is also the easier route!  But I must try Woodend again. I remember it being very steep.

Enroute to Marlow, on our left


Tiny bit further along, same view

Catching up

Stopping to look at the other view on this ridge, to our right

Cutting through Bovingdon Green, we drop down a steep hill into Marlow, emerging at  The Hand and Flowers,Tom Kerridge's pub. Very sad that like every other pub, its now closed until further notice. We carried a snack today and sat on a bench near the bridge. Spotted this sign.

Marlow High street. 

We decided to walk across the bridge to get time for a look at the river

Thames at Marlow also running very high and fast.

Next to Bisham, then Temple to cut through to Hurley. Again we passed loads of people out walking . And hundreds of dogs too! 

Between Temple and Hurley. 

The short section we need to walk at Hurley. The decks almost under water

climbing Rose Lane up to Warren Row

The Horns Pub at Crazies Hill had a kitchen set up outside and were doing a roaring trade in bacon baps. There must have been 50-70 people gathered in small groups of families. Just hope they are all being careful! 

Back to the van and the rain just moving in. 

Good to be out as ever. Hoping for a few hours dry tomorrow to do a ride with Jamie, since I did not see him at Christmas.😌