It's still Easter School holidays, so no Martina and Lynne today, and Gill was up north. Andrea had considered joining us this week, but keen to do this bluebell ride, I suggested she wait till next week, since this was quite a challenging ride. We will do a shorter local ride if Andrea back out with us next Friday. Promise!
Jeanette, Louise and I started out at 9am. A chillier morning than of late, with a cold easterly wind, which was very annoying. It was also quite overcast, but I didn't mind that, since the bluebell colours would look better with a cloudy sky.
Route
Our usual route to Sonning, to climb Dunsden Hill then continuing the gradual climb to Sonning Common and Kidmore End. We hadn't seen any bluebells yet, but had seen beautiful Wisteria as we passed through Sonning, and plenty of white and pink tree blossom. Lilacs are also in bloom now, so a very colourful ride so far. But I was expecting our first proper showing of bluebells along Wyfold Lane, and they certainly didn't disappoint. We also spotted a strange animal here, too big for a Muntjack deer, and I was wondering if it's a pig escaped from the lady who keeps them near Stoke Row?
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| Wyfold Lane |
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| Wyfold |
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| Wyfold photo stop. |
A little further, and we turned left into Emmens Lane, where in the managed area of woodland, the bluebells are always stunning, since very concentrated.
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| Emmens Lane, Checkendon |
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| Emmens Lane Checkendon, selfie |
A dog walker offered to take a photo of the 3 of us. She took several minutes, including adding her retriever dog to our photos. Some landscape, some portrait, some wider and some narrower shots. She seemed pleased that she had given plenty of variety..... but in fact, she took NONE! People have no idea these days how to take a photo unless on a mobile phone. Which is why I usually rely on 10 second timed selfies. At least I know I will get something.😉
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| Beech tree foliage just opening to add that lovely lime colour amongst the blues. |
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| White Campion looked great too amongst the bluebells. |
Having puffed up Emmems Lane, we turned and came back down and continued up Wyfold to Stoke Row. A few patches of bluebells here, but not many. A right turn in Stoke Row and we continued down the steep hill towards Highmoor. Wheeee, then puff, pant, to climb up again to this junction.
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| Blossoms at Highmoor junction, where we turned right. |
After a short distance on the main road, we turned left into Rocky Lane, where we met no traffic at all. We continued downhill until almost the end, then went in the back entrance to Grey's Court. At no point did we need to show our NT cards, but we had them just in case. We locked our bikes together behind a tall hedge, and headed to the woodland area.
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| Grounds of Grey's Court. The trees were looking lovely. |
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| 40 year old Apple Tree. |
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| Getting there! A blue haze just visible now in the woods beyond. |
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| Looking back within the grounds and all the lovely trees. |
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A very well managed woodland, with clearly defined paths, keeps visitors
from trampling on the bluebells. |
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| I often like some wood included in the photos. This was the best I could find. |
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We were feeling a bit chilled, and now it was late morning, we opted for soup and cheese scones.
The soup was "warm" but not hot, but tasted good anyway. |
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The view across the valley as we leave Grey's Court.
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We continued to climb a little further as we left NT Grey's Court, but soon we are on the flat, then the big downhill on Gravel Hill into Henley, passing the late George Harrison's home. A wiggle through Henley, then over the river, and along Remenham Lane to climb up our favourite "Flower Pot Hill". Louise mentioned that she had only done this once and that was on a Brompton. Sounds like hard work!
A fast run home now, via Crazies Hill and on Dark Lane Wargrave to School Hill. Since the ground is sooooo dry, I suggested we used "Gill's route", through the nursery and across the field to Ruscombe.
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Passing through the final field to Ruscombe. Last time I did this with Gill
we almost needed a Machete to get through! |
Our final leg was passed the Vineyard and The Green Man pub into Hurst. Louise and I shot off to climb the motorways back into Wokingham, whilst Jeanette took it in her own time. I managed 17mph up the hill and 26.2 mph on the downhill section. (My PB is 26.5).
Thanks for your good company ladies. The spring colours are so fleeting, so we were lucky to have had the weather today to enjoy them, even if a little cool at times. The forecasted afternoon rain never happened. The ground is so dry.... we need some rain for the gardens.
