Today we were 5, with both Lynne AND Jeanette collecting new cars! Enjoy them ladies. I had a haircut at 9, so a slightly later start today of 9.45.
We had decided to head to the Lockdown Lodge (3 week pop up cafe), at Hambleden Lock. I was there on Monday with John going out via Sonning, so my request was to go via Crazies Hill today and return over Sonning Bridge.
Louise had asked me to send her "the route" a couple of days ago, since her Garmin had been playing up. But I replied that we don't need a route....... we all know the way to Henley. Don't we ladies?! She didn't bring her Garmin today, which was shame. She hadn't realised she could just use it as a map... at least she does now.
When we met up this morning, I volunteered Louise to lead the ride. She thought I was joking.😄 She is not confident at leading, but she knows more than she thinks. One bit at time, first target Hurst, then Shurlock Row. Sorted. Then straight over at the pond in Shurlock Row, and left into Smewins Road (The one with the Corgi weather vain). All good so far. Then we came to a split in the road, where she instinctively wanted to go right. But of course we could have gone either way. But right was good choice.
Route link
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| Which way now Louise? |
Passing The Beehive Pub, left into Butchers/Bottle Lane (she had been with me that way yesterday). But today instead of turning off right to cross the Knowl Hill pathway, we were heading to cross the A4 to climb to Warren Row. Rather than straight on to cross the A4, we cut through the track of the bridal circuit to the LEFT, emerging eventually at the Royal Oak Pub, Knowl Hill.
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| The pub not far from Micklems Farm Craft place. Now we go ahead to cross the A4. |
That's pretty much the last decision for a while, since it's all straight on passing Velolife at Warren Row, through Crazies Hill, and at the T-junction with the main Henley Road, a left, and then right to whizz down Aston Lane. Louise
knew all this. She just needed a bit of a push to think about it. Well done Louise. 😇
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| Our reward. Louise got us here! Lockdown Lodge. |
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| My back still playing up today, so wincing a bit! |
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Ideal spot for a cafe. Shame it's only here for 3 weeks.
I took the same photo (below) on Monday when the water had great reflections.
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I read that the names on the glass are all the people to thank for the
success of the cafe. |
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| Shame it was pretty empty, but at least they are fully booked in the evenings. |
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Then we carried on along the riverfront as far as Remenham Church to cut through to
Remenham Lane. You can peddle the whole way, but it gets busier with walkers. |
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| Lavender in flower on Temple Island. |
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| Henley church ahead, but we turn off here to Remenham Church |
Andrea volunteered to lead us back home, and the first thing was to get through Henley to Harpsden Valley. Sometimes we go up Woodlands Avenue here and then through the woods to Bottle and Glass. Other times, we continue all the way to the end of the Harpsden Valley to climb Devils Hill. But today, I was keen to try "Perseverance Hill". John had done it recently. I've always been put off by the name.😓 But then Devils Hill is not exactly a bundle of fun. 😆. I had come DOWN it a few days ago, to remind myself of what it was like. So quite a long way down the valley I had them prepared to turn a very sharp left and into a low gear. It starts at 10% gradient, then it drops to about 8, then flattens out, and finishes with another push at about 5%. It's a narrow, dark, tree tunnel, which emerges at the top next to the thatched cottage.
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| Louise emerging from the dark tunnel. |
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Gill and Martina were next up, then Andrea was followed by a car behind,
and one waiting to go down. Whats the chances of that happening! |
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| We were all very pleased with our efforts. 👏👏👏 |
Next the decision how to get to Dunsden? Andrea opted for straight ahead, then left at the XRoads to pass the Loddon Brewery, on Row Lane. BUT, not far before that we pulled over for a car to pass, and Gill, always looking for a new off road section, suggested we cut through a pot holed looking lane, called Sandpit Lane. 3 of them stuck to the main road, and I opted to go with Gill. It was a bit like a roller coaster road, up and down all over the place, but not a problem for the Oro team. 😂After last nights rain, a bit messy. At one point, the road split and since I was a bit slower I didn't see which way she went, but couldn't see here straight ahead, so went right. The road straight on, is still called Sandpit Lane, but becomes Tag Lane, and one to try another time. (It emerges beyond the brewery on the bend, whereas Sandpit Lane emerges just before the brewery.) We popped out onto the other road at exactly the same time as the other 3.
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Almost forget a pub photo, so a rushed one, chopping of the pub name.
Gill and Louise had Chicken Nachos (with no cheese for Gill 😆 ) and Andrea and I opted for traditional with Guacamole and Halapino peppers.
A lovely morning out. Thanks all. And for those who are off on hols for the next couple of weeks, including me... have fun.
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