Another very hot day, our ride starting at 21 degrees but finishing in 29 degrees. Some of the ladies on today's ride had been with me to a NGS Garden visit in the last couple of weeks and had said they would love to see my own garden sometime. So today, our ride started and finished at Woosehill, but with no tea stop enroute. Tea would come at the end. Rider Louise had very kindly dropped off a cake last night for us to share.
Just a local loop today, but it was nice that some of the ladies discovered some new lanes once more, and I occasionally tested their knowledge to check if they actually knew where they were? Not always!
Rachael, who had driven to Woosehill, unfortunately forgot her helmet, so a quick ride to my house with the group to get her equipped with a spare, and we were off. We were aiming initially to Binfield to the Ski slope, or ex- ski slope since it is in the process of being dismantled. After our steady climb to Binfield, it was very cooling to hit 23 mph downhill. Wheeee. Then we cut through Jock's Lane, to climb once more, this time over Cabbage Hill. Rachael not been here before, so a quick photo call at The Sculpture. Hot, hot, hot, so never stopped for long, at least not in full sun.
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| Cabbage Hill Denise, Rachael, Louise, Sue |
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| Planting at Cabbage hill looking lovely this month |
Next we cut through the narrow cycle lane, called Watersplash Lane, and then straight over at the traffic lights enjoying the downhill of Osborne Lane. Left and right to pass Frost Folly and then I let them chose whether left or right? We opted for Bottle Lane, and into the first section of Westley Mill Road. But only just as far as the first bend, so that we could pick up the track which would cut across Howe Lane. At this point we met another lady cyclist just coming out of the track, and asked it was all dry? "Yes" she said, "all fine". Well, she lied😂. Strange how after weeks of no rain it was a bit messy. A few "wey heys" were exclaimed as we picked our way through.
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| Beautiful scent from this pink clover. |
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| Nice and cool in the shade as we connect to Spinningwheel Lane. |
At the end of Spinningwheel Lane, I tested their knowledge, and no one quite sure where they were. A right turn here to bring us over the M4 to Shurlock Row. Now back to Woosehill on the shortest route, which is Straight Mile, then Broadcommon Lane to Hurst etc, to cross the A329 motorway at Dinton. We got to my house around mid day. First priority, shade and cold water, then kettle on. Louise's Blackberry cake was delicious, and hit the spot nicely.
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| Denise, Louise and Sue investigate the shady corner beneath the Acer Campestre |
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| Rachael found another seat to take a phone call next to the pond |
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| We sat for our tea under parasols on the larger patio. This is my smaller patio for 2 in the shade |
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| Exploring the garden. Our mirror always intrigues garden visitors |
This photo taken for a gardening magazine a few years ago, captures the mirror well....
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| The gravel path appears to continue.... |
We also discussed my glass sculpture, which I was explaining almost "lit up" at night. So for the ladies, here is a photo taken one evening, as the late sun hits the glass.
Thanks for your company ladies. A fun morning out, and even through hot, we managed to stay cool as long as we kept peddling.