Ebike Sunday, and since we are starting from St Mary Bourne tomorrow, stayed around our local patch today, but drove initially to Crazies Hill. As we dropped down Aston Lane, there were loads of Deer with just a glimpses through the bare hedge, but no clear view. Then I spotted a gap under a gate, and attempted this shot at ground level, under the gate. I was being watched. Not in focus, but just a reminder. 😁
Route link
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| Just some of the deer herd we saw as we dropped down Aston Lane. |
It was a mild 8 degrees as we started out, which is pretty good for December 17th. But with recent rainfall, the Thames was flowing really high at Hambleden.
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| The River Thames and weir at almost the same height at Hambleden. |
We cross the weir and into the Hambleden Road, but took the first right to Rotten Row. It's a long time since I did this hill. It's 16 % at worst, so don't usually attempt it unless on the ebike. As we neared the top a runner just ahead of us!
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I stopped for a photo of the view at the top of Rotten Row hill,
and the runner then over took us. He only went a short distance further to his van |
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| Rotten Row farm buildings, where the road turns 90 degrees left. |
We continued straight, until a left turn at the farm at Chislebridge Lane/Rockwell End junction. Then we kept right at a fork (which to the left drops down to Hambleden on Pheasants Hll), and instead we headed to Parmoor. I'm not so familiar with this route, but some amazing open views. We passed Colstrope Lane on our left, which is another stupidly steep descent into the Hambleden Valley.
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| Looking over my shoulder on Parmoor Lane. Very bright sky! |
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| Same viewpoint. |
It's all very flat here, having come up at Rotten Row, but any lanes left or right are pretty steep. We pass Shogmoor Lane on our left, at a T Junction, which is the stupidly steep lane which drops into Skirtmett. (I did this once and my wrist were aching with pulling on the brakes so hard the whole way down.)
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| Views to our left as we approach Frieth near Shogmore Lane turn off. |
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| Waiting for me as we approach Freith. |
At the T junction in Freith we doglegged right then left joining Innings Road, which swings to the right into Spurgrove Lane. Another steep descent, and one I don't fancy coming up without ebike. But some great views to our left.
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| Views from Spurgrove Lane, Frieth. |
We dropped down the road which we more often come up into Frieth and eventually pass Fingest Church, which was looking great this morning in the sunshine.
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It was 12.15 when we arrived at The Rowing Museum cafe
so I opted for a sausage roll. It was delicious. |
Normal route back to Crazies Hill via Remenham Lane and Aston Lane.
