Betwixed Xmas and New Year escape! Henley Loop 33 miles

We've had various family staying since Xmas Eve and every day/ night since. And in a couple of days, it will  be all the beds changed, and more stay until Jan 4th. We have our third lot of 10 here tomorrow. 😓  So, we are pretty knackered, physically, but  mostly mentally.  (Note to self. Needs my input to this planning next year!)

Since our current lot of visitors are going elsewhere for most of today, John and I made our escape at 9.15, leaving them to get a taxi mid morning, and got on our bikes for a much needed bit of fresh air and peace. Since it's Friday, some of the WLCG were meeting up, and we had a quick chat with Gill, Louise and Jeanette as they met at their usual place. They were heading to Arborfield to check out the new Stables Cafe. We were heading to Velolife at Warren Row, or possibly beyond. 

To Hurst, then up past the Stanlake Vineyard and we crossed the A4 at Hare Hatch.  At the top end of Tag Lane, two ladies had stopped and were consulting maps, so I asked if they were ok? 

"Sort of" they said. They were wondering  whether right or left to get to Velolife at Warren Row?

 "You would get on the A4 if you go right, So follow us if you like" we said! 

"Does that way miss out the hill?", one asked.😆

Except that before we got to Crazies Hill, we had already decided to skip Warren Row and carry on to Henley, even though it was now raining. 

Just before our climb to Crazies Hill.

The ladies passed us as I stopped for the above photo, and then we passed one pushing her bike up the hill.😂 I shouted that we had changed our plans, so no longer to follow us! 

Through Henley and it had almost stopped raining, but a gloomy day.  

We were the only two cyclists at this point.

The cafe was packed with lot of families with kids! oh no!!! That's what we were trying to escape. 😉  We managed to find a couple of bar stools free, and also had chat with another cyclists who had set out from Bracknell. 

Blue sky and sunshine as we leave the cafe.

Our return loop was via Harpsden Valley, where the temperature dropped from 9.3 to 8.3 degrees. We left the Harpsden Road via Perseverance Hill to Binfield Heath.  Quite a few sizable puddles near the Bottle and Glass pub, and as we dropped down to Playhatch, some really strong gusts of wind. Infact I thought I maybe had a puncture as I almost lost control a couple of times. 

From Sonning where the River level is up to the 3rd top step of the Hotel, and to Charvil and then down Sandford Lane to Winnersh. 

So nice to get out. As we came home to a quiet house, we realised that our son in law was still there, but he is no trouble and was working at his laptop all day.... again. (No rest from the stock market. )