Just Louise, Jeanette and myself today, and I had a dental appointment at "tooth hurty". A local ride then, to be back in good time. I suggested The Dock at Caversham Lakes, but don't like to peddle through Sonning, to just come back again, so my route extended up through Playhatch, to eventually drop back down to the cafe.
(John came with us to start with, but then went off on his own with his camera.)
First photo stop was Beggarshill Road, where the bluebells were looking glorious... but they are at least mostly the thuggish Spanish variety. I checked the internet and you can buy white bluebells (Spanish variety.) English "white bluebells" are very rare, so you may only see the odd one, but never as many as this scene.
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| Beggarshill Road a mix of blue and white |
Through Charvil to Sonning, where we noticed a Wisteria looking gorgeous but too much traffic at that point to stop for a photo.
Up to Dunsden Green, where we continued straight on to Binfield Heath, whilst John left us at Dunsden Green.
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| John's phone photo, and he then then left us as we carried on uphill. |
Since it's been so dry, I planned to go through the woods near The Bottle and Glass to Woodlands Avenue. It was beautiful! The track was edged with Bluebells most of the way through, but also huge drifts as far as the eye could see. (but defintiely Spanish bells here to, mixed in with the English ones 😔)
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| Jeanette was feeling the cold today,wrapped up in winter layers. I was fine with just my jacket on. |
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| I was teaching Louise how to focus on the fresh leaves of the tree with her iphone. (my bike camera didn't do a very good job, as I suspected, and wished I had taken my Fuji) |
Along Woodlands Avenue, with the trees not yet in bud, then the big downhill to Harpsdsen Golf club, where we turned left now to return back to Binfield Heath via Perseverance Hill.
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| Just missed this line of blossom at it's peak, along Harpsden Valley |
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| This white van had been ahead of us up Perseverance Hill. Once at the top, it had to reverse back with this yellow HGV coming towards it. The yellow lorry then turned slowly into Perseverance Hill! I said "are you sure?" to the driver, whose window was open!!!😂 |
Straight on all the way to Emmergreen, to enjoy the big downhill passing Caversham Park, although the downhill did nothing to warm us up. It was about 9 degrees today with the wind increasing... again. (It had been 25 degrees and no wind on Wednesday).
We arrived at the cafe at 11.35ish, and the man serving had just poured 2 beers for customers, then disappeared to the kitchen area. He eventually came out, explaining that he didn't officially open until 12, but give him 5 mins to get the ovens on, and he will serve us. Which he did. We sat outside initially, in a sunny spot, but within 5 mins changed our minds thanks to the chilly breeze.
Instant coffee only, but Louise said it was not terrible, and our tea and Lemon cake was fine. (£5 for tea and cake good compared to some places.)
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We returned through Sonning and this time DID stop at the Wisteria. First I have seen this year. |
