Several weeks ago, I asked amongst my Breeze friends, who would be interested in joining me on an afternoon ride to visit a garden in Odiham? Since nobody's going anywhere.... I got a good response😁. Well as it turned out a handful couldn't make it, but it was lovely that so many could. I planned a route from Mattingly to the garden, which was a round trip of 25 miles. Some decided to ride from home, so will have done over 50 miles. Well done ladies. A couple would also drive to the garden to meet us, because of bike trouble, or in poor Daphne's case, not feeling great atm. John came along too, and met with his friend Dave and wife Sheila at the garden. John was able to get some action photos enroute too. "Some a bit blurry he says.. because of our speed".😎
We met at Mattingly church, at 1pm, just next to this pretty house, and those who arrived a few minutes early had time for a look at the church too.
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| our meeting point in Mattingley |
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| It's a very pretty, unusual, church building |
The group who road from home, Carole, Karan, Lucy, Linda, Jackie and Kay arrived in good time for our 1pm start. It turned out to be the hottest day of the year, around 27 degrees, so we were hoping it might cloud over a bit! (We are never happy)
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All gathering at Mattingly. Vanessa, Jackie, Carole, Gill, Linda,
Lucy, Karan, Barbara, Cathy, Kay and me. |
We set off heading through Rotherwick, then turned left and enjoyed the downhill passing Tylney Hall on our right.
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| Leader group me, Barbara, Jackie and Karan near Tylney Hall |
At the 5 way X-Roads in Newnam, we turned right onto Newnam Lane, an even fast downhill run, which at the bottom follows along the edge of the River Lyde. ( If we continue on this road, we would eventually come to Old Basing). Today, we turned left into the very quiet Pot Lane, then another left to bring us to the junction with the A30. I had not ridden this part before, but John had, so it was nice to add something new to the more familiar route.
I didn't stop for any photos enroute today since it's not easy with a big group, so I must redo this route at a more leisurely pace and take a look around. Today was about chatting and catching up with ladies some of whom have not seen each other for months.
A dogleg across the A30, to Andwell direction, where John was lurking with his camera.
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The A Team
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| The B Team. Lucy, Kay, Cathy, Gill |
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| The C Team. Vanessa, Carol and Linda |
After some leisurely flat lanes, we climbed a little to cross over the M3. Now through Up Natley where we stopped for a breather and to regroup just passed the church.
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| Scorchio! At Up Natley. Gill, Lucy, Cathy |
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| Kay, Carole, Linda B |
We pass the Fox and Goose pub at Greywell, and immediately turn right towards Odiham, and a very familiar route (backwards). One more stop for a drink before reaching Odiham, next to these cows, who had all turned their backs to us.😄
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| Almost in Odiham |
Heading down Odiham High Street, we turned into Church Lane, partly because some probably had never seen this part. Also partly because I had sussed out a loo stop since the garden we were heading to mostly likely would not have facilities! Useful to know these loos are there for future rides too.
We then headed out of Odiham, where John once more got ahead on Hillside Road shortly before we turned right into Roke Lane.
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| Hillside Road, Odiham |
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| Views through the hedge on Roke Lane. |
Almost there, and at Roke Farm a left turn, with the garden just a short distance down the lane. Daphne and Carol arrived together by car and joined us shortly before 2.30. Carol's saddle had snapped in two, so was unable to ride today.
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| Our first glimpse of the garden. Persicaria Superbums looking great. |
Since the garden was open to others, we opted to head straight for the tea and cakes and look around later, since this was the main reason we were here.😅
Fed and water, it just started to rain! oh no!! It wasn't too heavy to start with, in fact very refreshing, so we just carried on looking around the pretty garden, before eventually taking shelter with some unusual natural cover.
A few more photos taken by the ladies.....
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| The tree canopy not quite high enough for me! |
Final chance for a whole group shot, minus Daphne, before we split into two groups to head for home/Mattingley.
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| Photo by Daphne at the garden entrance. |
The rain now stopped, and a much more pleasant riding temperature for the second half of journey. Carole set off to lead the riders who cycled from home, whilst those heading for cars at Mattingley, plus Linda, grouped together. One final photo of our group taken by John as we head back to Roke Farm to now turn left and head towards Crondall. Barbara missing from this photo since she realised she had left her glasses and headed back to get them. At least we hadn't gone far.
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| Wet roads now as we head for Crondall. |
The ladies had no idea where they were for most of the next part of the ride, which was nice. Once through Crondall, we headed across the A287 to Crookham, Dogmersfield, and Winchfield, turning left just as approach Hartley Wintney. We turn left and pass West Green Gardens, then finally to Mattingley.
My thanks to everyone for joining me, and hope that many of you are able to join my next garden visit on July 5th riding from Froyle to Upper Farringdon.
