Hartley Wintney via Winchfield - 37 miles

Monday ride and Daphne away on hols.  Linda wanted to be home by 2pm, so we kept to a local ride today. 37 miles for me and John, but a few miles less for Dave and Linda since we met them in Finchampstead.

Route link screenshot at end.

We aimed to cross Eversley Ford which had a big yellow lorry about to reverse as we approached the bridge, but he spotted us, so waited.

The water hardly visible today. The tree foliage has gone mad!
(and heavy rain 2 days ago has weighed down the branches)

An on the other side, absolutely chaos with at least half a dozen lorries!
Including some yellow ones.

We chatted to a man with a Thames Water vest on, and he explained that they need to empty the sewerage treatment works, which is just along the lane as you approach the forest entrance. They have been putting it off for ages he said....... but now its urgent. Sounds lovely! We mentioned that there was another yellow lorry on the other side of the ford that might belong to them. 😂

For this quiet lane it was further chaos with pipes being laid and many more vans. The residents must be enjoying this.😖  We joined Bramshill Road and crossed on Plough Lane towards HW, then turned into the road passing West Green Gardens at Phoenix Green. 

Linda and I stopped to wait for the boys to catch up at Phoenix Green.
I always admire these HUGE Oak Trees here on Thackams Lane. 
Linda's "little bit of red" helps too. 😂

We were heading to coffee at the HW Church, but rather than go straight there, a little loop first to Winchfield.  A right turn at Phoenix Green traffic lights, to very soon join the shared Cycle.fooptath alongside the B3016, taking us under the M3, and to Station Road, Winchfield.

A leisurely downhill through Winchfield to the 4 way X Roads to turn left into Taplins Farm Road. (a missing link for Linda).  All easy again other than a little elevation back over the M3, and cheeky uphill as we arrive in HW rising past  the old St Mary's Church. Then we cut through to St John's Church.

I hadnt realised that John and Dave had not been here before. They said the coffee was very good. I opted for the lovely fruit cake they do here regularly. Tea and cake just £3.50.  Linda's tea £1.  It was fairly quiet with a few  people sitting in the main cafe area, but we opted for the even quieter foyer area. (no coffee machine noises)  Tables outside too around the side.

Not sure I'd ever looked inside the church door before. 

A useful "pram park" inside the church. BUT.... the kids club meeting in the hall is
about to finish at 11, so time to escape! 😏

The pretty green opposite the church, with trees planted out in rows. 
Dave explained why they are there.....

• Mildmay or Trafalgar Oaks: These were planted in response to a call for timber for naval ships after the Battle of Trafalgar, and are a prominent feature of Hartley Wintney Commons.

And next to the bike racks. A fine specimen of Acer Palmatum Dissectum Garnet, 
or maybe Atropurpurea.  Good guess Dave.
( but lots of dark varieties, so might be another variety.) 

We left on the paths across the Common and over into West Green Road carrying on all the way to Dipley Mill. Hard not to stop and admire whats happening whatever the season. 

Dipley Mill looking very verdant. 
We spotted some Coots, one with chick, so there were no doubt more amongst the Iris. 

At the junction, Dave said he couldn't quite get his bearings, but then had a lightbulb moment.. I think!

He said he normally approaches this junction passing Mattingly Church.  A dogleg over into Bottle Lane,  as we were now heading to go back via Laundry Lane.   But first, part way  down Bottle Lane, I suggest as short detour to see the other lovely garden around here, on Vicarage Lane.  

The foliage goen mad here too! Can hardly see through to the garden this year. 

Still nice though. The house behind there somewhere,  hidden behind
the old Willow tree that is resprouting. 

That was a there and back half a mile, to return to Bottle Lane, then at the triangle, a right turn into Bar Lane. I've not ridden here for ages, since like Laundry Lane, this lane can be very flooded in spring.  But all dry today. As was Laundry Lane. 

Our last few miles, all flat or downhill skirting the edge of Wellington County Park to Swallowfield. A climb over Farley Hill before wiggling to Hogwood. The layout changed yet again today, since a new Sainsbury's store is being built!  (Due to open August).

So, back to Finch about 1.30 I think, plenty of time for Linda to get organised to go out again. 

Nice to see you both. Dave will be away next Monday and we are away the following one. I think Daphne around next Monday so we will try for a group of 4 next week.