WLCG Shottesbrooke Loop -22 miles

on

I suggested that Gill organise today's route to be around 20 miles aiming to be back to mine for tea in the garden at 11.30. Since we can now invite 6 people to our garden, it was the perfect chance for Andrea to walk round to meet the group at the end of our ride. She has not seen us all since her accident 5 months ago. Good news is that Andrea can now cycle using the turbo trainer for about 20 mins, and yesterday walked 4.5 miles. Brilliant news. 

Route

We wiggled our way to Binfield Road, then used Monks Alley into Binfield. As we stopped near the junction, we spotted these Scarecrows. 

A lovely whizz down passing the (now boarded up) Jack 'o Newbury Pub, and into Stubbs Hill, passing the graveyard. At the junction, we more often turn left here into Ryehurst Lane, but today turned right then left  into Cabbage Hill . Since the weather has been dry for some time, today was a good chance to do a bit of off road. (rain due tomorrow!).

Hazelwood Lane was looking very pretty at times, edged by Hawthorne. 

Hawthorne lined Hazelwood Lane

We crossed the ford bridge at Westley Mill, and was sad to see that a new fence has been erected at the pretty pink house, so now cant see it very well.  Good for the occupants of course, but not for the nosey passers by.😏 Next we rode all the way to the end of Howe Lane and another whizz down hill passing Waltham Church. A left turn and we followed the road to White Waltham, turning right at the cricket pitch, and eventually turning left into Shottesbrooke estate at the pretty gate house.

Shottesbrooke Park entrance off Butchers Lane

Shottesbrooke House

Shottesbrooke Church, the team ahead of me. The 
sheep and their lambs to far away to see them today.

We had a little wander around the graveyard looking for the gravestone relating to the steeplejack who fell off when the church was built, but felt we had to move on, since arranged to meet Andrea at 11.30ish. As we left Shottesbrooke thought we would be 15 mins late, so sent  a message. 

As we returned on Smewins Road, I told the ladies that last weekend I had noticed a tiny foal staggering in the field, but we didn't see it today....... but wait!

A 6 legged horse. Take a closer look😁

Waiting for the mother or foal to move to give us a clear view

Finally. Ahhh so cute. 

Broadcommon Road, heading into Hurst

views from Broadcommon Road. Great clouds now

A bit late back and Andrea was sitting on the front garden wall patiently waiting for us. The sun came out for us eventually, as we tucked into my homemade Rosemary, Lemon and Olive Oil cake, which they all loved and now have the recipe.

Gill, Lynne, Martina, Jeanette, Andrea

Thanks to Gill for planning today's route. Really nice and great that Jeanette now knows about Shottesbrooke Estate. Just an hour with Andrea, but we plan a walk next week, which I look forward to. The professional holiday goers (Jeanette and Gill) will miss the next 2-3 Friday rides, but hope to see the others next time.