Monday, and the day after yet another storm. The 4th in as many weeks. Storm Darragh this time. It's been a horrible weekend, with rain and strong winds. In parts of the country, a rare RED weather warming, with winds over 75 mph in Wales and western areas. Hundreds of flight cancellations and delays, including Daphne on her return flight from Columbia connecting at Madrid. Consequently, she opted out today, 'cos she is knackered after a long day travelling. (Pathetic excuse Daphne. 😄)
Linda wasn't sure she would make it today, after a stupid accident falling over in her bathroom last Tuesday, resulting in terrible bruising and aching all over. Ouch. Well done for coming out.
The 4 of us drove together to Mattingley in heavy rain, which was supposed to stop by 9.30ish..... it did... as soon as parked up. 😊 The temperature around 6 degrees but a "feels like" of 3 degrees with a NE wind today. Not too noticeable during the first part of our route, through Rotherwick to Tylney Hall.
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| Passing through Tylney Hall grounds. A grey day. |
At Newnam XRoads a right turn, downhill, to take a left after a mile of so into Pot Lane.
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| Pot Lane. |
As we set off from Mattingley, I summarised today's route for Dave from memory, including a road called Water End Lane, which is our next left turn from Pot Lane. It's well named, as most times I come down here, there is a flood, just before the railway arch! The ROAD CLOSED sign ignored, we managed to sneak through the roadworks to cross the A30, to Andwell. (these roadworks have been her for several weeks. What ARE they doing?)
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| Horse and White Alpaca at Tunworth Road junction. |
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| Linda and I waited here before our left turn, for John and Dave to catch up. Having caught us, Dave continued up the hill, to then turn back to wait for me. 😂 |
Our biggest climb of the day now, but not too steep, to Weston Corbett, where I took a couple of photos, opposite "the view" I normally photograph here.
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| At the top at Weston Corbett, looking right. |
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| Closer look. |
Suspecting a flood at the bottom on the steep downhill, I sent John ahead, and rode behind with Dave. We rounded the first corner and although a bit messy with gravel, no flood. But I forget about the next corner, where there WAS flooding.
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| John's phone shot. Dave going so fast he is blurred. 😅 |
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| Views to the left of Ford Lane. |
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| Ford Lane. |
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| Ford Lane. Nice winter trees structure. |
And now to catch them up before we cross the B3349 Alton Road. A gentle climb to Long Sutton, taking Wood Hill Lane just before the village pond. This lane also very messy with debris after the storm.
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| Not at all surprised to find this flood under the M3 on Potbridge Road. |
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| Just after the M3 and messy roads ahead with a couple more floods to connect us to the A30. BUT tiny bits of BLUE SKY! |
At the junction with the A30 and with Linda leading, we rode on the road. (I normally opt for the footpath opposite, rather than take a right turn in the middle of the main road, but with mirrors it was fine, and there were just 2 of us.)
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| Stopping to wait for the boys on Borough Court Road |
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| Any second now! Where are they? 😄 |
Almost back, with just another couple of debris covered lanes back to Mattingley. What a messy ride, and bikes filthy again.
Thanks all for your company, and hope you enjoyed today's route. Not too far, not too cold, not too hilly and not too fast. Daphne should be joining us again next week, after missing a few.
