Hambleden via Pudding Hill - 36 miles

on

 With thunder storms forecast after lunch time, we stayed local today and rode to Hambleden. John fancied a few off road sections mixed in, so from Shurlock Row, we joined Myre Lane, then a dogleg over to join Nut Lane to Waltham St Lawrence. I had done both of these on my Breeze ride recently, so knew they were nice and dry. (since we've had no rain for weeks!)

Myre Lane, where it runs out of road, into the track. 

We went around the back of the church in WSL, but I'm not a big fan of the Knowl Hill bridal path at this point, since it goes on a bit too long, and nothing to see in the hedge lined tunnel. So, instead, we continued on Halls Lane, passing the back footpath entrance to Shottesbrook House, then after a short stretch on the main road, entered the grounds through the other gate, near the lake. 

Shottesbrooke Lake. No sign of the Egyptian goslings today. 

Shottesbrook House, with two electronic lawn mowers creeping around. 

John had only been here, then back out behind the church to WSL again (with styles over the gates). But he had never before continued through and along the tree lined Avenue, emerging on Butchers Lane. 
Shottesbrook Sheep with their lambs keeping cool.


From Butchers/Bottle Lane, we cut through to Littewick Green, where a youngester cricket match was under way. 

Littlewick Green

And straight over the A4 into Green Lane, to emerge at Little Stubbings House. I passed here on Friday, and only a few Daylillies were in flower, but today there was a much more impressive display. 

Orange Hemmerocallis (Day Lillies) at Little Stubbings House

Next we climbed passing The Dew Drop Inn, and across the woods into Pudding Hill. I had also done this on Friday. A good track after so many weeks of no rain. We continued to Crazies Hill. and then down Aston Lane.

Views Aston Lane. 

Aston Lane, the sheep trying to find some shade. 

Waiting for the lock bridge at Hambleden Lock

We chatted later to the group seated, who had cycled from Bracknell.

The house opposite the shop.

And from the other side.

Lady Hambleden's Cottage

The walkway to the toilet is always so pretty!

The house next to the church Lychgate.

Our route back was up Aston Lane, to Crazies Hill, and then across the Strawberry Farm and opposite field into Twyford. 

Crossing "Gill's field" into Twyford. 

A new field track for John today, entrance at bottom of New Lane.

This crop is Flax, so will look amazing in a few weeks time. Must come back. 

To Hurst via Broad Hinton Estate, then lanes back to Wokingham. NO rain, or even any threat of rain. I am writing this at 5pm, and so far, there were 3 rain drops about an hour ago. 😒