A grey day, very different to yesterday's amazing blue skies. Daphne gave Linda a lift to "Spoonville" at Winnersh, and I met up with them there, since that would save them a few miles at least. Having earned a badge for my highest ascent to date yesterday, of 2800 feet, my legs were a little weary today, but none of the inclines today should too bad.
Route
Up Sandford Lane and yet again I got a bit lost for a few minutes cutting through Woodley.😂 But not for long, so soon back on track. We climbed to Dunsden, then left to the church, and a car past us, slowly just before the Xroads. Then, at the Xroads, the driver wound down his window, and asked if I knew of a buriel ground near here? What?! Well, they had just passed the church, but his party of 4 said it wasn't at a church they were after. It was a bit like getting blood out of a stone but after several minutes he finally told me that it was called "Henley Woodland Burial Ground" . So I checked google and it turned out to be at Rotherfield Greys, near Greys Court. He had a sat nav, so I sent him heading towards Harpsden, to then follow his sat nav. Hope they made it on time!
Daphne recognised the road we had parked at Sonning Common just the week before, so I tested them asking what would be facing us at the road junction ahead? They had no idea.... and of course it was Kidmore End church. (A good landmark from all directions round here.) Round the back of the church today for our route towards Tokers Green, to soon turn right into Mill Lane. A huge puddle across the whole road, and several more puddles and pot holes and a few "wey heys" as we picked our way down this very messy lane, which then gets very steep at the end. I suggested we walk on the grass verge to cross the main A4074, since its a dangerous corner with no clear vision until the very last second.
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Looking back down Mill Lane, as it flattens out from its very steep ascent.
I just noticed the road bump warming sign. A bit of an understatement! |
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| Catching their breath, and now a short walk on the verge to keep us safe to cross the main road. |
We climbed gently towards Goring Heath, then a left turn at a Xroads, to drop down and up again to this little Hamlet, with the pretty white blossom of the Hawthorne hedge.
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| Peter Woolhouse, working to clear the church yard foliage. |
Peter also asked if we knew about the Whitchurch Maze? No, we didnt. So, just at the point in the road where I took the photo of the blossom, there is apparently a metal gate, which leads so said "brick" Maze. Research online, tells us that he personally laid it out. (He told us he used to be a brick layer. ) So next time, we shall stop off for a look. Peter and his wife seem to be well known in Whitchurch as "doers" and always willing to help in community projects. Daphne said we might call in at his house next time we pass for a cuppa. He said that would be fine, and we could take tea in his "green room" 😁
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Slight detour for tea at The Swan, where we sat indoors today after parking our bikes here.
The man in orange was operating a shredder, so another good reason to sit indoors! |
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| As we sat inside, this dingy piled up with more tree debris arrived across the river for the shredder |
Through Pangbourne, and into the quiet Sulham Lane, and at the end a dogleg left and right to Sulham Church in Nunhide Lane.
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| Crocus at Sulham Church at the entrance to Nunhide Lane |
I think Nunhide Lane has had more hardcore since I was last there, since there weren't too many big potholes today. A rough surface, but a lot better than Mill Lane!
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| A grey day, but still nice views from Nunhide Lane |
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| Closer look, and one of 3 pillboxes we saw along the lane |
Soon we emerged at Ikea, across the M4 on the pedestrian bridge, and into Theale. We made our way between Hosehill Lakes, right into Bottom Lane, then left on Jacques Lane. We all kept loosing our map routing detail today, and I was blaming Russian sabotage. I see from my Garmin recorded route, that there is a straight line as the crow flies, across fields from Hosehill Lanes to Burghfield... which is NOT what we did.😏So, infact my milage is probably a little under what I did. Fortunaltey I knew the way anyway, so not a problem.
We wiggled then through Grazeley Green and along the quiet Kybes Lane, to cross the A33 at Three Mile Cross, using the cycle paths at the traffic lights. Finally, up Church Lane Shinfield passing L'ortalon and soon passing the enormous Film Studies on Cutbush Lane. They are still building more! Through Lower Earley following Cutbush Lane and then on the cyclepaths of Hatchfarm Way back to Winnersh. Daphne and Linda left me at Woodward Close.
Well done ladies, and thanks for joining me today. As Daphne says, another visit on a hot summers day would nice with ice cream included. I look forward to that.
