Monday again so soon! We were joined again by Kim and Steve who were meant to be on the Isles of Scilly, but their Friday crossing had been cancelled 😖. So instead, they joined John, Dave and myself for a second Monday ride in 2 weeks. Almost as good as a holiday.😉😂 (Daphne on Nannie duties today).
My route today was to the M Cafe in Marlow. This particular route a bit long from home, so we started at Crazies Hill.
Route link screenshot at end.
There was quite dense fog this morning, and just 6 degrees as we left the house to drive to the start, and it dropped to 4.5 degrees. Having got caught in a couple of hail storms yesterday, I was hoping to stay drier and warmer today! Any signs of mist gone as we started our ride.
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Beautiful if chilly spring morning
as we left Crazies Hill |
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Kim ahead as we were able to whizz down
the newly tarmacced section on Aston Lane.
Bliss! Its been dangerous for years!! |
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Steve and Dave catching up at the bottom as we now
join Rememham Lane into Henley.
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Taking in the view on Rememham Lane,
looking to the Hambleden Valley |
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| Remenham Church, with a pretty blossom tree. |
Part way along Remenham Lane, an impressive display of Loddon Lilies in the area that spends much of winter under water. Not easy to photograph, so didn't bother.
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| Crossing the Thames into Henley |
We used the shared cyclepath up the Fairmile, and soon entered the Stonor Valley Road. Time to remove a layer since now its all gradually uphill.... then not so gradual.
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I rode alongside Steve as far as Stonor Farm, where
we saw lots of calves today. Last time, they were newly born,
but too far away to see.
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| Tiny calves at Stonor Farm |
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| Their "earings" always look much too big. 😄 |
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| Our stop at Stonor farm to see the calves (opposite) |
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| The larger flowered Garlic, which also see amongst bluebell woods, is Allium ursinum, also known as ramsons or bear garlic, is the ubiquitous wild garlic abundant across much of Europe. |
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| I directed John to use the action camera for this shot. |
A short backtrack to get on our route again, which was down the amazing Dolesden Lane. Wheeeee!
Dave and I had to stop for car, just at the point where we heard quite a commotion of lambs bleating.
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Lambs and their mum's in a pen, with the farmers doing something.
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| Turville windhill on the far hill. |
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At the junction of the Hambleden Valley Road,
we kept straight on passing the double tower Fingest Church,
with lots more tiny lambs on fields on both sides of the road.
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A climb now to Frieth X Roads to continue
straight across for a flat ridge ride. |
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Steve ahead after we crossed Freith X Roads.
Didn't see him again for a few miles as we dropped into
Marlow via Bovingdon Green. (But I did stop for a photo
of the view to our left)
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Always enjoy this view, on or left
as we continue along the top ridge road towards Marlow. |
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| A steep descent into Marlow from Bovington Green. |
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Arriving at The M Cafe, near the river.
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The REAL Wisteria coming into flower on the cafe Veranda,
amongst the fake ones! |
We got a table outside, but under the veranda cover, since some black clouds around. But it turns out that after 12 noon, only people ordering lunch (as opposed to coffee/cake) can now use the veranda. So, we sat inside, which was quite noisy, especially since it started raining quite heavily, and anyone outside, moved in.
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Got the feeling we were being watched,
as we stopped at the Rape field. |
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| Steve on the way up Rose Lane. Dark skies looming! |
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| Kim and Steve up just after me..... |
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| .. followed by the "boys". |
A nice route, with not too much climbing, but enough to enjoy some decent downhills. Nice to have Steve and Kim join us again, which will be the last time for Steve, until next school hols.
