I had come across an amazing Gertrude Jeykll restored garden in Upton Grey just last year. It gets visitors from around the world, and yet locally, a well kept secret. It's amazing. (Only open May-July Mon-Friday.)
I have led quite a few Breeze rides from Mattingley to difference destinations, but varied the route today to take in some decent climbs around Well and Froyle, for Barbara to give her new ebike a good test. This ride was postponed due to very wet weather last week, but in the meantime, I had come down with a nasty cold, and still didn't feel up to hills today. So it was a choice of either cancel the ride..... or take my own ebike for a change. 😏
Route link screen shot at end.
I am still working on my Breeze film so a few more screen shots today, and thank you to "willing volunteers" who did their piece to camera today at Mattingley.
 |
| Skirting around the back of West Green Gardens on the quiet lanes to cross the A30 towards Whitehall |
 |
| Time to remove at least one layer as we stopped on the railway bridge near Whitehall. |
And as we dropped downhill from the railbridge, the road under the M3 flooded, again, after yesterday's heavy rain! 2 groups now as we rode towards Odiham on the B3016, to use the tunnel under the mainroad. (A287 Farmham Road)
A quick comfort stop at the Odiham loos, then soon whizzing downhill passing the landing lights of RAF Odiham.
 |
| passing RAF Odiham landing lights on Long Lane. |
 |
| At the well in Well, we took the next right. (As I was taking this shot, I was aware of cyclist behind me... it was hubby! Who started in Mattingley, but had already been to Crondall Vineyard for a coffee.) |
 |
| Got hubby to take this shot of the whole group, before he set off again in the direction of Froyle. Me, Louise, Rose, Jeanette, Barbara, Kim, Amanda O, Gill. A colourful group and nice to be in teeshirts at last. |
A bit more climbing, followed by a big downhill into Lower Froyle, before the climb to Upper Froyle.
 |
| Arriving in Upper Froyle where we turned right opposite Froyle Park Hotel To climb our steepest challenge of the day. |
 |
| Jeanette breezing up the hills today, after her recent trip of cycling the length of Scotland. Our hero. |
We crossed at the "Golden Pot" junction, and we split up again in smaller groups as we passed Lasham Airfield, where a little bright yellow aircraft came in to land. Then a more gradual climb to Herriad, before a 2.5, mile downhill run into Upton Grey. Think we all loved that bit!
As we came to the pond at Upton Grey it was 12.15, and I had kept a secret from the ladies that fellow rider Amy was meeting us with a very important recent addition to her life......Colin. Those who have ridden with Amy may have chatted to her about Colin, and many of us have lived through the fabric and colour choices of Colin's transformation from "Van" to " Stylish Pad"!!!! 😂
Amy was happy for me to share a few photos of her pride and joy. Congratulations Amy. Many adventures lie ahead for you and Colin.
 |
| Very clever layout! |
 |
| Colin the camper van. |
After our tour of Colin, we headed to Upton Grey shop for a cuppa but since it was now 12.30, most of us opted for a savoury snack. And I was rather surprised to see hubby there! (He extended his planned route today doing 45 miles by the time he rode home)
 |
| Very warm by now sitting out on the deck for lunch |
 |
| The riders called in for an icecream. (for them not the horses) |
And at last, time to go to the garden at the top of the village hill, next to the Church.
 |
| I love ferns especially this time of year, and the self seeded pink Geraniums set them off beautifully. |
 |
| Our hostess and Garden owner, 80 year old Rosamund Wallinger gave us a bit of history about the garden, then left us to wander. Since I had been a couple of weeks ago, she said I wouldn't need to pay today. How kind. |
 |
| Her hired help had been doing work as we arrived, but moved off to something else. |
 |
| Stunning Peonies, repeated in this part of the formal garden. |
 |
| Kim on the lower terrace. |
 |
| Amy joined us for the garden tour. |
 |
| Beautiful Upton Grey Manor, from the rear. The current owners took it over in 1984 when the house and garden were almost derelict. |
 |
| Views towards Odiham, from a wilder part of the garden, where the Princes Trust had built a thatched structure. |
 |
| photo by Louise. The Princes Trust Thatch |
 |
| Iris, with Delphiniums in the background |
 |
| the colour pallet around the garden, as designed by Jekyll is soft blues, pinks, and white mostly. |
 |
| As we were leaving, Rosamund weeding . |
 |
| Free range Bantams. Very cute. |
We had a lovely visit in perfect weather. The remainder of our route was just about 8 miles back to Mattingely. Amanda had a bit of a time constraint, so since she had the route, she set off whilst the rest of us "faffed".... any minute now! 😂
Initially we headed towards Greywell, but then turned left to Up Natley, over the M3, and a quick dash across the A30 to climb to Newnam X Roads.
 |
| The Pink team, heading down fast after the climb away from Greywell. |
Cutting through the ground of Tilney Hall, where the Rhododendrons are all looking beautiful, we reached Mattingley just as Amanda was loading up, and as it turned out was in plenty of time.
 |
| Finally, I got Gill and Kim to do their piece to camera for the Breeze film. As you can tell, they quite enjoyed it! |
Well done everyone. It was a challenging one today, all of which I have done many times on my road bike or gravel bike, so I didn't feel toooooo guilty about using my ebike today. I enjoyed seeing Barbara smiling at the top of those hills too. Glad you all enjoyed your extended day out, taking in the beautiful scenery and of course the garden, at it's peak time.
