The clocks changed last night which is always confusing, but I think we left at 9ish... new time. It was only 6 degrees. Brrr. Winter jackets on today for the first time since spring, and we never felt overdressed.
We parked at Upper Wargrave, and made our way down to Hambleden Lock. We spotted a group of WCC cyclists walking their bikes across the weir. They turned right to head up the Hambleden Valley, whereas we turned left, onto the main road for a mile or so, to turn into Benhams Lane to Fawley. (not done this yet without my ebike, so must give it a go. It's RED to start with, then orange up as far as Oakengrove Vineyard. )
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| Oakengrove Vineyard. |
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| arriving in Fawley, where we now turn left. (a right turn would eventually lead to South End.) |
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| Some gorgeous colours as we head downhill from Fawley steeply to start with, into Middle Assendon, Stonor Valley |
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| Views from Fawley Bottom towards Stonor Valley. |
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| I loved this landscape justshort of Stonor Farm |
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| And the view opppsite. |
A climb out of Stonor Valley road now up to Maidensgrove and Russell's Water. Easy on the ebike, but I have done this a few times on my gravel bike. The wind was really strong in the open landscape of Maidensgrove Meadow, and we were straight into the wind.
After Russell's Water, we turned left on the main road to Park Corner, and Huntercombe End. Then a few hundred yards to the Maker Space Cafe, just passed NT Nuffield. Too cold to sit out today, and thankfully we got the last 2 seats indoors. The WCC cyclists we had seen at Hambleden Lock, were also there.
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| 6 free seats after the WCC cyclists left. (I'm going here on Wed with my Breeze ride, so hope we can get seats indoors). |
I was slightly nervous about a right turn off of this main road, and all was fine with no traffic following, but then a car coming towards us crossed the white line to overtake 4 cyclists heading down the hill. We had to swerve to miss him. What an idiot! 😡 Into Nuffield, and a fast downhill towards Stoke Row. We had lost the sun now, but the trees still looked nice.
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| On our way to Stoke Row on Kit :Lane, passed Homer Farm (Doh!😂) |
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| Rocky Lane views near Grey's Court. |
Right at bottom of Rocky Lane and to Rotherfield Greys, with a left turn into Elizabeth Road for a lengthy downhill wiggle through a residential area emerging at Henley College. Through town and over The Thames to Remenham Lane. Loads of rowing boats in evidence today alongside the river, as there was some competition going on. Chilly day for it!
Back to Crazies Hill and to Highfield Road for our last coupe of miles. I spotted the sun breaking through and stopped for this next photo just as horse rider appeared into shot.
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| The sun doing it's best to reappear on Highfield Road. (it never did) We finished our ride in 8 degrees. Hoping just a blip. Not ready for winter weather just yet.  |