The forecast for today was rubbish for our usual start time. Only Lynne and I were free today, and rather than not go out, we decided to delay until late morning. A message from Lynne at 11.30... "shall we start at 12?" I thought it might still be a bit premature, but at 11.50, the raindrops on our pond had stopped, so I went off to meet Lynne at Emmbrook. I got soaked!
So, we abandoned the ride at this point, went back home for lunch, agreeing to try again at 1 o'clock. If the forecast was right, it was promising to be a sunny afternoon. And it was! 😁
With Lynne's husband on school pick up duty, she was keen to go to Henley. We set off up Sandford Lane, and with no route, managed to NOT get lost through Woodley. Gill would be proud of us. 😂 Then through Sonning, where the Willow trees are now looking lovely, but with no traffic behind us, I decided to resist a photo stop. We climbed to Dunsden at our own pace, meeting at the village green. I was surpised to see Lynne arrived with her jacket off, since she definitely had it on at the bottom.
"I didn't notice that you'd stopped to take your jacket off", I commented.
"I didn't" she said. It all happened whilst peddling up the hill. 😅
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| Lynne arriving at Dunsden in a teeshirt. Where is her jacket? |
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Dunsden Willow tree. A beautiful day now.
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Decisions, decisions, which way to go. We opted to pass the Brewery, where there were some substantial puddles across the road. It had been heavy rain this morning. At the next X Roads, we took a right turn heading to Binfield Heath, passed the Bottle and Glass pub, and soon passing the golf course on our left. The Silver Birch trees were looking stunning with the sun shining on them.
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| Silver Birches at the Golf course. |
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And the view opposite. I've not stopped here before.
The woods beyond are the Harpsden woods which we cut through in drier conditions. |
We passed a cyclist off his bike pushing up Chalk Hill. I've never come up it, but have a feeling I might be off pushing if I tried. Must try it. We sailed down, and emerged in Harpsden at the very sad black barn whose roof has totally collapsed. Then a quick stop for a blossom photo at the Lychgate.
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| We came from behind those walkers...... |
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Really clear day with good views to the Hambleden Valley area
from Remenham Lane. |
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| Blossom tunnels along Remenham Lane. Beautiful. |
We cruised up Aston Lane today. No problem, then through Crazies Hill, and Tag Lane to Remenham.
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| Ruscombe Church. The clock read almost 3.50! |
Our final route was passed the Twyford Vineyard, then a right turn and we stayed on Hinton Road, passing the Green Man pub, before going around the Lanes and over the motorways to Cantley Road.
Seems like no one is free next Friday, with a painting course, holiday, work and other stuff going on, but hope to see some of you in a couple of weeks before the Easter school break.
(John had also done an afternoon ride today with the Wokingham Cycling club starting at Cantley at 1.30. I got home to find him already back, since as soon as he finished his ride, at almost 15mph, and was about to have a coffee at Cantley at the end, a call from our heating engineer to say he was waiting for him at home. Oops! Forgot about that! I asked if he saw lots of Blossom on his ride? I didn't see anything he said.... it all happened too fast. 😂)
I am very happy with our 11.1mph. What's the rush?!
