Breeze Cantley to Hurley Lock - 28 miles

 We were heading for a riverside tea stop today at Hurley Lock, with the promise of sunshine. But it was 13 degrees as we set off. This stupid N/E wind with cloud every morning has been the same every day recently.... for weeks it seems. So jackets to start us off today.

Our route was our usual wiggle towards Shurlock Row,  but then we deviated by riding some of the dry off roads tracks. 

Route link (photo of route at end of blog)

Any one know where they are I asked?
"West End Fisheries" replied Linda looking over my shoulder! Good guess Linda. 
(Mire Lane)

Next we rode on Nut Lane into Waltham St Lawrence. 

Nut Lane nr WSL. Jean on her roadbike, was out of her comfort zone
but also loving the new challenge and route. 

We emerged opposite these two lovely horses. 

A few minutes of nonsense at WSL next to the pub.  Our average speed today was not good! 😂

"King" Louise and "Queen" Jean with their Corgi, Amanda and Cat, Linda 

I asked the group if they preferred road next or through Shottesbrook to check on the goslings I had seen a couple of weeks ago. Shottesbrook got the vote. 

As we entered Shottesbrooke, Amanda had something caught in her chain, but all sorted. 

the Iris around the pond looking good, but no sign of the Egyptian Goslings.

We were literally about to leave, when they appeared with Mum. 

forming and orderly queue behind Mum

And they just kept coming closer

They came almost up to us, then started to turn away. Time to go. 

Our next treat were a couple of lambs on our pathway out......

... then we spotted this lot under the shade of the first tree. And as we 
rode out towards Bottle Lane, there were dozens and dozens of lambs. So cute. 

Through Littlewick Green to Burchetts Green then with all top layers off, the little climb on Honey Lane, to drop down steeply to Hurley.

 

11.20 as we arrived in Hurley, and the sun has definitely come out now. 

Crossing the bridge to get to the lock cafe.

These paddle boarders joined us in the Q for the cafe.
(It's not the quickest, but thankfully we were first in line. )

In two groups we rode the unavoidable section of the busy Henley Road as far as Rose Lane. Part way up these lovely horses coming down, so we pulled over to let them pass. 

So nice to photograph them without high viz jackets. 

Highfield Road from Crazies Hill to Wargave, and then another off road section at the Strawberry farm.

A pretty splash of colour from the poppies as we enter the farm track

Sooooo temping.

Now across to New Road, Twyford. 

Jean a little more hesitant on her road bike... but still loving it. 

So tactile.

Catching them up. Photo by Louise. Thanks.

These little Dachshunds were waiting for us to get out of the way. 

We left Jean in Twyford as we passed her house, and a quick stop to admire her Rose filled front garden. 

There was one more track that I wanted to try today, having done it only once in winter, when it was messy. It was really hard and rough today.... so I'm not desperate to use it again! 

"The Brookside" path,  which runs along the back of Broadwater Lane, Hurst
and links to Poplar Lane. This guy with 5 dogs came towards us, on a  narrow section,
and thankfully left the pathway onto this bridge.

Finally back through Hurst Lanes and over the motorways to Cantley. We finished in 25 degrees.

 A lovely mix of on and off road, with wildlife thrown in too, and a pleasant tea stop. My kind of ride. Thanks all for joining me today and for your good company.