Friday again. The days and weeks have been blending together for months! It's school half term this week, so Lynne did not join us today since she was having a family day. Martina, on the other hand, with 3 children doing home schooling, was very appreciative to get out as usual. Don't blame you! Think I would have gone mad by now.đŸ˜“Today's forecast was around 8 degrees, but with strong SW gusty winds.
We are all waiting for news from PM Boris this coming Monday 22nd, as to whether any lockdown restrictions can start to be lifted. For the sake of all the school pupils (and their parents) we do hope so. It would also be nice to be able to see more than one person officially, but not expecting that as well for the moment. We have been riding 2x2 for several weeks now, but today we broke all the rules and rode as 3. I think we got away with it.
I suggested we take the chance to cross over the Thames at Sonning today, since the road has been closed recently due to flooding. I introduced the ladies to a few new lanes, which I rode with John a month or so ago, and mixed up with more familiar routes.
We left Wokingham past Cantley and left into Hurst Lanes. I pointed out the wee lambs I saw on my ride yesterday. Then up past Gill's house on Sandford Lane. She had the choice to join us either at the start or from home, and opted for the longer ride. Well done Gill.
We stopped for a quick look at the Ford at Lands End Road. Pretty high at 3'6" in old money. The light today was very flat, so not many photos on today's ride.
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| Lands End Ford |
Now over Sonning Bridge and the climb to Playhatch and Dunsden Green. It never gets any easier! Turning left into Church Lane we continued to the next cross roads and here we turned left today. (normally go straight over towards Bird in Hand pub.) We are now heading to Emmer Green, and we pass Reading Golf Club on Kidmore End Road, dropping down a lovely long hill.... but guess what comes next? A brief stop at the top where you can see the views to Emmer Green Water Tower, beyond the horse.
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| Water Tower in the far distance |
At the horse junction we turn into a little lane, which later joins back to Kidmore End Road. Its very narrow, and unfortunately had to pull over 3 times for traffic! What were they doing here? Eventually we arrive at Kidmore End, and Gill and Martina recognise where we are from previous rides starting at The Pet Barn. Normally the church is facing us at a junction and today its on our left. Now we turn right towards Sonning Common.
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| Kidmore End church. Very flat light today. |
I found a takeaway bakery online last night, so we stopped for a hot drink and snack at Flemings in Sonning common. It was fine, although not very scenic of course. I really hope that cafe's can soon offer outside seating at least, then we can plan our stops much better.
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| Image from google of Coppid Hall. It belongs to Baron Tristan Phillimore |
A short detour now where we passed a field with 3 Lamas. They have such characterful faces.
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| Hello! |
Downhill now all the way from Binfield Heath and back across the Thames at Sonning. A wiggle back through Woodley and farewell to Gill at her house on Sandford Lane.
Thanks for company ladies. My 5th ride in 6 days and 155 miles ridden this week. Day off tomorrow!