I wasn't supposed to be cycling today, thanks to a hospital appt, but late in the day yesterday a call to say the MRI was out of action. Daphne had no ride buddies today so asked to join us. Andrea was away on holiday, so we were 7. Lynne and Martina have been busy with kids all summer, so it was good to see them again and catch up. Gill volunteered to plan today's route, which was to Stubbings Nursery. It turns out that Lynne, and Jeanette had not been before. (and Daphne didn't remember it 😉).
Route
A chilly start this morning, so we all had an extra layer on. By the time we peddled to Binfield, and to Paley Street along Howe Lane, it was time for some to peel off.
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Layers being removed as we turned into Paley Street in Paley Street
to climb over the M4 using the pedestrial bridge. |
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| riding on Snowball Hill into Woodlands Park |
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| looking towards Knowl Hill |
Using Breadcroft Lane to cross the railway line in White Waltham, we turned right at the end today onto Cherry Garden Lane, rather than our more usual left turn to the bridal path. The left fork as we approach the A4 has a foopath sign exactly opposite here, but first we had to dash over the busy A4. A lorry eventually flashed us to cross in front of him, giving us a hoot as he past.
Gill's route was to cross the pedestrian footbridge over the A404, but Stubbings is THIS side of the main road, so we did not need to do that today. That is useful from Pinkneys Green area. Instead, we just followed the path pretty much straight ahead, until we reached a path that looked a bit more under control.... and dead straight. Gill not used this particular route before, so a useful one to know, although pretty messy in winter.  |
| A dogwalker took this photo of us in Maidenhead Thicket. (National Trust land) |
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When we found the main path, a left turn, with the building ahead, and
Stubbings Nursey behind it. (had we turned right here, the pedestrian bridge would
be straight ahead and crossing the A404 to Pinkneys Green area) |
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| Waitress took this photo.... Lynne almost out of shot....but all 7 included |
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| Her second attempt, with Gill missing! |
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| Liked the shadows cast from the pergola on the wall. |
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| The shrub areas of the nursery, with Stubbings house behind. |
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| nice light on Daphne, who joined us as a special guest today. 😊 |
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| I think this little area under the Fig is new? Good place for bikes. |
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| Lovely day as we leave Stubbings. |
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| leaving Stubbings car park to go under the A404, and join Henley Road |
We set off on our return route initially riding the main Henley Road to the A404 roundabout, then first left into Burchetts Green road, passing Berkshire College of Agriculture. (BCA), and over the annoying speed bumps. Then left at The Crown Pub into Burchetts Green Lane, passing Little Stubbings House.
(Note - must try the Crown, since it's just been taken over by the Chef at the excellent Beehive Pub. )
Looking out for the right hand fork, we joined the track called Green Lane, which emerges a little further along the A4 with the benefit of going straight over into Littlewick Green.
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Dandelions back in flower once more after all the recent rain,
at Littlewick Green. |
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| At the cricket field, where the lawn was being mowed. |
Through the village, and we joined the Knowl Hill Bridal path passing the crop fields, which of course as now all cut the season. Left at Butchers Lane, then right into the gates of Shottesbrooke Park. No sheep today!
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| Shottesbrooke Park |
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Through the exit gate of Shottesbrooke, left on the main road, but soon right
into Smewins Road to Beenham's Heath. |
Usual way back to zig zagging through Shurlock Row and Hurst Lane, where we left Gill at Pound Lane, whilst the rest of us puffed our way over the two motorway bridges back to Wokingham. Thank you Gill for our route today, and great to see so many of us out together after various summer holidays.
Gill, Louise, Jeanette, Andrea and I aka "The ART GROUP " 😂are off to Devon on Monday for a "Painting" holiday at Gill's house. I do wonder if Gill is inviting us to decorate her house? The Queen's funeral will be at 11am on Monday so we are delaying our trip, setting off at 1pm, and will be back Thursday evening, just in time for next Friday's ride!
