Having been in touch yesterday with Monica, we planned a route to arrive for morning tea with Barry and Monica's in their garden at around 11.30. (Still not allowed indoors). It was a cold start of 3degrees, but by the time we arrived it was pleasantly warm in the sunshine, and crucially no biting wind. (That comes back tomorrow!)
Route
We parked at Mattingley church and headed towards Hartley Wintney, branching off to pass West Green Gardens.
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| Cottage next to Mattingley church |
Crossing straight over the Xroads after West Green, we turned right at the Tjunction near the old church in HW onto Taplins Farm Road to Dogmersfield. Then at the xroads in Crookham, a right turn into Crondall Road.
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| Views along Crondall Road. All very flat. |
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| Passing over the river in Crookham after the Barley Mow pub |
The Crondall Road ends at the busy A287, where we dash across into the little narrow footpath. Its often filthy, but today was fine and dry. We continue into Crondall, but take a detour to see the church. The bells rung for 11am as people were arriving in cars, by foot, bikes and scooters... for an outdoor Easter Service. What a perfect day for it.
Last time we met up, Monica mentioned that on holiday last year they had hired e-bikes and quite enjoyed them. So today, I let her try out mine for size, just down the lane and back, so that if confident riding it, the 4 of us could plan a joint ride in the coming weeks with me on my gravel bike.
By now it's after 1 o'clock, so we decide to shorter the return trip a little. We left Odiham heading to Greywell, then Up Nately crossing over the M3, shortly followed by the dash across the A30 and under the railway arch with that horrid climb to Newnam. This is where power comes in handy! I have slogged up this hill many times on other bikes. Tylney Hall golf course is open again, so we ride through the grounds, and then turn right and through Rotherwick, and finally to Mattingley.
Our lunches seem to be getting later and later. 3 o'clock lunch today.
