WLCG Binfield Heath via Sonning Common 28 miles

Once more, there has been a lot of rain this past week, so the rivers are running high, and ditches full too. We waited for a message from Gill as to whether Sandford Lane was open this morning?  Think she nipped out early in her Jimjams. 😂  (It's been clear, then flooded several times this past week.)   Good news.... all clear for her to cycle down to meet us at Woosehill, and doubly good news that we could return down Sandford Lane later!

Lynne, Martina, Gill with me this morning, and since none of the them will be on my Breeze ride this Wednesday, I suggested we could do my route to Bottle and Glass pub at Binfield Heath.   My hubby found out on Wednesday that the Barn is closed mid week atm, but they are serving hot drinks and pastries in the pub. 

Route link

It was cool as we set off this morning, but with the sun out, very pleasant. 

Our usual route as far as the Hurst Lanes to the pond, but at the junction with the main road, where we ALWAYS go right to pass the pond, we turned left. Shock Horror!! Through some temporary 3 way lights and immediately right into Orchard Road, which I've never been down before. Some substantial properties on this road.  Next we joined Lodge Road to Whistley Green and soon climbed Broad Hinton. 

All downhill to Twyford X Roads, then a few miles of main road through Charvil and over the A4 to Sonning. We kind of split into two groups for most of that section. As we arrived at the lights in Sonning they just turned red, so I got off to walk over the bridge for a photo or two. 

Lovely soft light this morning as I hung my camera over Sonning Bridge

The lights changed, so they passed me. 

and pulled in to wait for the traffic all to go through the lights
and wait for me to walk over. The gate house looking beautiful today. 

Another quick photo stop at The French Horn,
where there was no sign of the 5 steps to the lawn, since 
the river is so high. 

A Heron on the edge of the river.
(It was still in exactly the same spot as we passed again about 2 hours later)

The power of the water.

It's been a while since we climbed the hill to Dunsden, and at the top, I was glad that I had already removed my extra layers and changed to springtime gloves. 

We peddled to Bird in Hand lane, then the gradual uphill to Sonning Common, where we took a right turn into Grove Road, to loose the height we had just gained. A cheeky 10% climb up again on Blackmore Lane, passing the signage "Failed Road".  It is a terrible surface at the top. 

At the top of Blackmore Lane. The sky looking threatening,
but no rain due until mid afternoon.

We passed a couple of horse riders,  and the horses has interesting platting in their tails. I think it was reflective tape. Anyway, looked very smart.    A whizz down the hill to climb out again to Binfield Heath X Roads, where within 2 mins we arrived at our coffee stop. 

Look who was just leaving. 😊

We got the seats which John and Dave had just vacated,
which was handy since the other seats were all taken. 
Martina played the martyr and sat on a stool.

Martina and I had a very sticky, and messy to eat "Cruffin", with Pistacho cream.  A bit too sweet.  But apart from 2 croissants, one of which Lynne had,  that was all that was left. John had enjoyed a piece of pear tart, but it was all gone.  A very cosy location, so a hit for a winter stop. I've been before, but not everyone had. 

Mostly downhill of course on the way back, as we crossed over the Thames once more this time to Woodley.  We had seen a few small clumps of snowdrops, but not many.  This patch was on Beggars Hill Road. Not terribly photogenic, but good enough for a blog. 😉

Great to be out again after 2 weeks of doing not a lot following my second cataract surgery.  The countryside looking beautifully clear! Hope to see a few more of you next time.