Linda and Daphne were both free today, and John and I fancied an away day. Gill was possibly free, but unfortunately decided she needed a day at home to catch up. (Bad decision Gill!đŸ˜…) We returned to one of our favourite areas, the Test Valley. John had just got a new personalised map, centering on this area, and he planned an extension further south than we had been before, including a section on a old railway track. Pretty views along the riverside was our expectation. And of course it would all be pretty flat.... wouldn't it. đŸ˜‰
The car park at St Marybourne was full! Disaster. But after using the loos we drove a little further beyond the village to a spot we had used a few weeks ago, when the same thing happened on a Sunday.
Route (photo at end of blog)
Our route first passed through Hurstbourne Priors, where we doglogged over the B3400 and made our way to Long Parish. It was lovely to see the flock of Valais Blacknose Sheep as we approached the village.
 |
| Valais Blacknose Sheep as we approach Longparish |
 |
| The Sheep stop. |
We continued straight on, on a horrible pot holed road surface, (we would do a loop of the village on our return). Then our first "climb" of the day on the funny loop over the A303. Following the B3048, we dropped into Wherwell.
 |
| Views after crossing the A303, and before we drop into Wherwell. |
 |
| Think the others missed this. The School! how pretty is that! |
 |
| I caught up with them as they turned left over the River Test. |
 |
| Wherwell Junction . So many thatched cottages. |
 |
We turned left here and later would approach from the opposite direction.
|
 |
| Daphne's view from the bridge of the same cottage. |
We followed a very easy flat section next, taking a right turn into Chilbolton, for an important tea stop.
 |
| Chilbolton. |
From the shop, we have previously gone back through the village to continue towards Barton Stacey, but today we continued leaving the village on a new route, a fast downhill, where just before a T-junction, our route disappeared down a track. The start of the old railway trail, the "Test Way".
 |
| Lindas photo. Escaping the tree tunnel |
 |
| Last man out. |
The track had been a bit messy in places, but not too bad, but no views at all, and traffic noise from the A3057 which ran alongside. Rather than get back into the track asap, we explored a road called " The Bunny". (Had we continued on this road, we would have missed Stockbridge). Well worth the detour, since we came to this pretty building on the river.
 |
The Bunny, nr Stockbridge. Eel nets we think, but they must be
dropped in the water presumably? |
 |
| The Fisherman on the opposite side of the bridge. |
Sadly not. The waitress apparently very rude saying they were fully booked. John suggested a few miles further on to the John Lewis Farm Cafe. A good decision as it turned our!
 |
| Beautiful tree lined driveway into John Lewis Farm |
 |
| Delicious salad of Pear and Stilton with Black Garlic dressing. |
The way out of the estate was bliss! All downhill, without a single pothole, and this continued for a while as we passed the entrance to the Water Gardens. (closed Monday unfortunately). Then suddenly, back to potholes!
 |
| Horses in Fullerton above road level. |
 |
| And ahead, this pretty building, on the riverside. |
 |
| Fullerton. Mill house presumably. |
 |
Giving out instructions! At this junction, we go left to join the A3057, then
very soon right into Fullerton Road, heading back to Wherwell. |
 |
Wherwell cottage, with thatch shed.
|
 |
| Daphne's |
 |
| Daphne's |
John suggested a slight detour in the hope of seeing The Priory. We got so far down Mill Lane, but then a PRIVATE sign. Then we cut across a grass path to this Church.
 |
St Peter & the Holy Cross Church, Wherwell.
|
 |
| Daphne's |
 |
| The font shape echoed the shape of the stained glass window |
We left the church continuing round a gravel path and through a gate into this absolute GEM of a street! Buildings from 1500's.
 |
| At the top on Newton Lane, between Newton Stacey and Barton Stacery |
 |
| Time for a breather!đŸ˜œ |
From Barton Stacey another climb to get over the A303, and we were fighting against a wind! Eventually we dropped into Longparish, and right into Nuns Walk, where its all flat.
 |
| We're back! |
Thanks all for your good company on this " flat ride" which turned out to be 900 feet. đŸ˜‚Stunning landscape so well worth the effort to see it at this fabulous time of year.
