Monday, and with a thunder storm predicted at 11am, it was a late decision to cycle today. Daphne drove here, and John joined us. Linda still in Australia. We hoped to make it to Wargrave and back before the rain, so set off pre 9.30.
route link photo at end of blog.
We headed to Sandford Lane and then Beggarshill Road. Once under the railway tunnel, I suggested we cut through a pathway on the edge of Charvil Country Park, which leads into a residential area, cutting of a corner of Park Lane and part of the main road to Twyford. (I had only done this once in the opposite direction, with Lynne/ Gill leading). Daphne was completely confused as to where we were, until she realised we were heading towards Twyford X Roads.
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| Stopped at the Traffic lights in Twyford, and some interesting old buildings. |
Straight through the lights, then 2nd right on Ruscombe Road, to pass the church, continuing into Castle End Road, then into the private drive. I cycled through here a few ago, and spotted some pretty blue flowers and hoped by now to see a "blue haze".
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| Not quite the blue haze of Flax crop I had hoped for! 😂 |
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| We continued over New Road into the crop fields leading to the Strawberry Farm. These Verbascum flowers seeded around near the A4 crossing. |
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| photo by John |
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| We dropped into Wargrave on Mumberry Hill/School Hill. The old clock at 10.20 opposite H'Artisan cafe. |
We sat outside, and it started to rain lightly, so moved under the large parasol. It came to almost nothing, and we soon set off, back up School Hill initially, then left into Victoria Road. A steady climb to connect to Blakes Road, and Tag Lane. Across the A4, and since no rain in sight, we decided to continue into Waltham St Lawrence.
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| Colourful wild flower patch as we come through WSL. |
At the 5 way junction, straight over to check if any signs of the baby Highland coos at Waltham Farm? A car was pulling out of the drive and with her window down, I asked the driver about the calves. She said they had now been moved to Yeldall Manor site (Wargave). But the "blonde" mother was still there. John and I first saw her a week after her calf was born, and she had been rescued by the farmer in a very poor condition.
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| She was watching the other cattle in a field a good distance away. |
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| her coat has improved a lot since we first saw her. (see next photo) |
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| Photo taken May 7th. Calf one week old. |
A few spits and spots of rain, as we carried on into Shurlock Row and turned right at the pond. For a change, we continued straight on Hungerford Lane (always into wind!) and finally through Hurst Lanes back to Wokingham over the two motorways.
Daphne recons a few new bits for her today, or least some she has done in reverse or not for a while. Nice to get out, and it never did rain.
