Breeze Wooshill to Bray and Ockwell Park. 30 miles

on

 I offered a Thursday ride since Sue is away this week, but had an early dental appointment first, so we set off a little later at 10am. Wendy and Kate drove to meet me at Woosehill and we picked up Louise a couple of miles into our ride.

Route link screenshot at end

After yesterday's ride in sunshine and 16 degress, a disappointing gloomy start this morning with a little drizzle which thankfully came to nothing.  Never cold, especially at the top of Carters Hill. Downhill next passing Binfield Church, and to Ryehurst Lane.  A quick stop for an essential nose blow as we joined Westley Mill Road. 

A tiny bit of light in the sky as we joined Westley Mill Road.

Through Paley Street to Money Row Green, and since a couple of ladies were not familiar with Holyport, a quick detour to the village green and pond. 

Holyport Pond with the Willow tree blowing in the wind. 

Louise W, Kate and Wendy at Holyport green.

Taken by a willing passer by.
Please note we are all wearing helmets, so that no chance
of any falling in the pond today! 😂😂😂

To Bray next and since some had never spent any time in the village, a quick wiggle through and to the Waterside Inn.

Bray village.

The majestic Willow at the Waterside Inn. 

The swan is often at this slipway and builds a nest soon for the young. 

We rode on the Causeway to Braywick to cross the main road, then soon into Kimber Lane to use the pedestrian bridge over the A404. Lots of mud at the bottom on the first right hand bend at the bridge, so I lost momentum, but Wendy managed to pass and stay on. The rest of us walked to the top and rode on the downhill side.  Soon at our coffee stop at Ockwell Park.

A chatty coffee break, but as we headed for home, the wind had really picked up. It was a SW direction so we were heading straight into it all the way back.  It was exhausting, especially over the Knowl Hill track to Bottle Lane. 😩

From White Waltham to Beenham Heath and over at the pond at Shurlock Row. Louise and Wendy got off ahead of me, and missed a left turn, so we just carried on, adding a bit more to the route but a chance to see the lambs in Hurst spotted by yesterday's Breeze ride.   SO many crows in the field, which Wendy explained are a risk to the young lambs.  The lambs are not new born, so have been indoors for a few weeks I guess with the fields being so wet. 



Louise left us to ride home along Toutley Road and I accompanied the others back to the start at Woosehill where they had parked. 

30 not difficult miles, but felt more like we'd done 50 against that SW wind!  Thanks all for your good company.