Breeze Sunday ride Mattingley to NGS open Garden Winchfield - 20 miles

I had been to these 2 neighbouring gardens in Winchfield arriving by Barge from Odiham with two of our grandchildren, not long after lockdown. It was a VERY hot summers day.   Today was their spring opening, and not quite to warm! 

Garmin route screenshot at end. 

I gave lift to Amy and Amanda O, and met with Daphne, Eva and Sue G at Mattingley Church.  We rode past Dipley Mill, and I wasn't going to stop their today.... but the Wisteria was in flower and it looks gorgeous, so slammed on the brakes. 

The Dipley Mill house looking as good as ever
clad in Wisteria.

A few photos on the go as we went around the back of West Green Garden and headed towards Winchfield.

Eva

Amy

Sue stopped for a peak over the railbridge  on Totters Lane
after we had crossed over the A30.

Into Odiham under the tunnel, and climbed over the canal, before passing through the town, and into Hillside Road. Then a turn into Roke Lane, passing the Oast House. 

Amanda ahead passing the old Oast House on Roke Lane.

Roke Lane


Roke Lane, looking back. Oh dear. That clouds looks ominous. 

Roke Lane. 

Itchnel Lane. 

Itchell Lane

Itchel Lane

We skirted the edge of Crondall, on quiet lanes, then crossed the A287 towards Crookham Village. The temperature dropped and there had clearly been a heavy shower of rain here recently, so we were feeling quite smug that we had missed it.     Spoke too soon , as a hail storm started!




Couldn't believe that Amanda had a brolly in her rucksack! 

We waiting in this driveway for several minutes and were absolutely soaked, and freezing cold too.  The road turned white with hailstones,  but finally we got under way. The garden just a few minutes away, nr The Barley Mow Pub.

As we arrived as the hail stones started again. It was really miserable, as we tried to get shelter, along with loads of other people, under some of the pop up tents. Our hot cuppa very welcome! 😌 Eventually we were able to have a quick wander around, and the seasonal planting looking very nice. AND the sun suddenly broke through!!

Yellow Magnolia are more unusual.

The small shed on the right, is a second loo! 😂


The Camelia flowers drooping after the heavy rain. 


The property pre dates the canal by 100 years.




Clematis Alpina

Sunshine at least, moments before we leave. What a difference. 

Anne,  (hair soaked), Amanda (another  jacket also in her rucksack!) Amy
Eva, Sue G, Daphne. 


We left back down Spratts Lane, in glorious sunshine. 

Some big puddles as we headed back via Winchfield to Phoenix Green.

We used a track I had not used before, but seen it on the map, to link the "Pet Cemetrary Road" to Dilly Lane. It was a great surface, and but off the corner of the A30, so we were able to go straight through the light at the Phoenix Green X Roads, to soon pass West Green Gardens. 

Tiny Lambs just before we get back to Mattingley Church
on Red Hill.

Thanks all for joining me today. A loveley afternoon, just spoiled by some serious rain and hail. I had a hot bath when I got back, and a large glass of wine with dinner, so finally have warmed up.