A hot, sunny Monday, with high 20's forecast. Daphne and Dave both on holidays. Linda peddled to our house, then we drove to Ewelme to start our ride about 10ish. The School grounds were looking lovely, with the naturalistic planting as well as the Lavender in full flower.
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| Just outside of Ewelme walled garden |
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| And the beautiful house across the road. |
Our route today was V2 of the Waterperry Route, which passes through Chalgrove, then to Little Hazeley,and Great Milton (as V1), but then a bit of a climb to Cuddesdeon.
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Passing through Cadwell Lane on the farm track between
Brightwell Baldin and Chalgrove. Gorgeous scenery.
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Still on the farm track. The light kept changes
as did all the shades of green. |
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Church Road, heading to climb up to Cuddesden
as we pass and old Mill house on the River Thame (not Thames). |
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A cheeky climb and before we reach the top, stop to admire the views.
Then a little more climbing, and we are soon passing the College buildings. |
So, with our V1 route partially reversed, that climb was to avoid climbing OUT of Wheatley on our return trip, which means that instead we get to drop down into Wheatley on a 10% gradient. Then a bit of wiggling through the town, to get over the A40, and soon quiet lanes through Holton, and into Waterperry. It was close to noon, and we had a cuppa first, sharing a delicious cake between the 3 of us, so as not to spoil our appetite for lunch. 😂
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| Silvery Eringium Miss Wilmott's Ghost, looks perfect for this hot sunny day. |
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The perennial borders looking brilliant today.
Salvias, Geraniums and Delphiniums. |
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| Hot colours of Helenium and yellow Achillea |
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| Nepeta billowing over the path edges |
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| More deep blue Delphiniums at the back of the wall. |
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| Its seems to be an exceptional year for Roses this year. |
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| I don't like mixed Rose gardens, but like individual Rose bushes. |
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| Beautiful one. |
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A reminder of the yellow Achillea I want to buy for home.
Called Coronation Gold
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Sorry Linda, your right arm is completely wrong!
(taken by a garden visitor who thought we were mad)😂 |
To lunch now in the cafe, and we all opted for a salad, which we ate in a shady area. HOT now.
Our return was back to Wheatley before riding on Sworford Lane. Then passing the end of Church Lane which we dropped down earlier, we continued down Windmill Lane, a short section on the A329, then dropping down further through Little Milton. Soon we join our outward ride to Chalgrove, but head into Ewelme on Hollandtide Lane this time, with just one undulation for our final climb of the day.
We arrived back in Ewelme as the school was coming out, so shortly after 3pm. A lovely day out, and nice to see the gardens looking so colourful at this time of year.
Off to finish packing now. We are off to Vienna in the morning for our next cycling adventure.
