Lucky Gill and Jeanette have escaped Wokingham on holidays this week, so just 3 of us out today. It's still School Easter holidays, so Martina and Lynne were happy to get a morning out without kids😊. Had a lovely 5.5 mile walk with Andrea on Tuesday, at Crazies Hill, and she is doing really well with her recovery.
Since it's been pretty dry for a while, I put together today's route with a few off road sections in mind. Some new to me (but had been suggested by Gill), and other bits I had walked recently.
Route
Initially we made our way to Sonning and up our favourite hill to Dunsden Green. Keeping right at the top, we turned left after about half a mile into Gravel Road, new for us, which simply connects us to Emmer Green Road. Then a right turn, through the cross roads at Binfield Heath. Passing the pretty thatch cottage, we were on the look out for a track to our right. Intially with a slight incline, this is a level and very good path (at this time of year), to connect to Woodlands Avenue to drop down the steep hill in to Harpsden. After a woodland path section, it turns into proper concrete path. A gate on the left suggest a walking route with lovely open views.
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| Views from the track approaching Harpsden Woods |
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| Looking back where we came from |
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| We pass this pedestrian gate on our left |
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| Lynne and Martina carry on as I stop at the gate |
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| Next section of this lane |
We now emerge on Woodlands Avenue, turn left and enjoy the downhill on the hairpin bend down into Harpsden. We continue and ride on Mill Lane all the way to Marsh Lock initially, just for a quick look.
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| Joining the riverside path from Remenham Church, passing Temple Island |
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| Hambleden Lock ahread |
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| 3 men inspecting the weir... one in black in the water at the waterfall |
We peddled to Hambleden for a cuppa and cake where it was so nice to sit down and relax once more. I had a delicious Victoria Sponge. It was 11.30. Just for variety, we did a wee loop around Hambleden behind The Stag and Huntsman pub, through the car park, and picked up the lane. Then turned right passing the "old barn", where there were some lambs in one of the adjoining fields.
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| Looking back to Hambleden next the old barn. No lambs in this field |
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| A few lambs just opposite |
At about this time Martina's husband, who had the day off work, was messaging to say to meet up with the kids near to 1 o'clock at Dinton Pastures. No way were we going to be back by then, and with some further bits of off roads to do, we gave our best guestimate at what time Martina could meet him. This later changed to a Binfield rendezvous.... we would part company a bit later.
Back across Hambleden weir, now our other favourite hill... Aston Lane. 😁 We've so far had a pretty easy morning. Our normal route now, passing Velo Life at Warren Row, where we soon turn left into the bridle path called Pudding Hill. (Gill is familiar with this, but none of us ever done it.) It was slightly confusing to start as we spotted a "Private" no access sign, but the small sprint did not refer to bikes. Having stopped to read the sign on a hill, I had to push a bit to get back on, then it was fine, although it is uphill for this first section.
Very nice track, and a few signs of bluebells to come. Soon it levels out, passing the Dew Drop Inn, then on good surface all the way down to Burchetts Green Road. Through Littlewick Green, and out to Bottle Lane junction. Here Martina leaves us, going left with directions on how to get to Binfield . Good luck! 😂
Lynne and I turn right for a very short section on this road, only to be faced with a van driver approaching much too fast. I shout to "slow down" as his window is open, only to get a mouthful of f*** off, and he even reached out his window still swearing as he had past us. What is matter with drivers!!!!
Left here into another section of Knowl Hill Bridle path. Lynne took us on this section a while back, in the other direction, emerging at The Old Bell Waltham St Lawrence. A good track passing a golf course on our right. (Castle Royal golf club on the A4), and a bridge over the railway.
Since we are having an off road kind of day, and with no time pressure now that Martina has gone, Lynne suggested we do a bit more. By pure coincidence I actually walked these next two sections 2 weeks ago with Linda B, having never used them before. First, we turned right out of WSL, heading for Milley bridge, and at the first bend at a chevron sign, we turned left into the narrowish track. (Nut Lane). Left at the end, and soon right into Mire Lane. Concrete to start, then gets a bit more messy in parts, but not too bad. We soon arrive at the "Little Pony club." I photographed these same ponies on my walk with Linda.
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| Mire Lane Ponies |
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| Mire Lane all good surface again now at the Pony club. |
Mire Lane ends at West End Lane, where were turn left then right into Baileys Lane, Brook Lane, and Darvills Lane to connect to the Straight Mile. Finally back over the motorway bridges to Cantley. 37.5 miles, and legs feeling a little weary now. Well done Lynne and Martina, and thanks for joining me on a discovery route this morning. Will be nice to repeat a couple of those pathways when the Bluebells are our in May. Shame the others couldn't join us, but am sure they are out enjoyed the sunshine in The Lakes and Northumberland.
