A few weeks ago, Kim asked if I was planning a ride to Henley Arts Trail this year? I hadn't thought that far ahead, but thought, why not? So in a cycling friends group I asked who might be free (Bank Holiday weekend). 9 ladies said yes please!!
There are loads of venues, but my first thought was to try Shiplake College, since I fancied a nosy inside the building. That was the starting point, and I built a route around that, so that we could visit 5 venues, each with 7-10 different artists represented.
Linda C, who is unable to ride on Wednesdays now, was free to join us today too. Lovely to see you Linda.
Route link screen shot at end.
We met at Cantley at 10am, and picked up Gill as we passed on Sandford Lane. My camera refused to work this morning, so mobile phone shots today, which are never the best with my phone anyway.😔
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| Louise, Rose, Kim, Amy, Sandra, Clare, Linda, Amanda O, Gill. |
We split for much of the route until we got through Sonning and up to Dunsden. From Sonning Common, we climbed up Blackmore Lane to the farm at the top, our first Arts Venue stop.
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| Louise coming into Blackmore Farm entrance |
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| Rose had borrowed Sarah's road bike today. (she loved it once she got the hang of the gears) |
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| Parking at Blackmore Farm |
As Louise parked her bike against the house wall, she spotted a wallet in the grass. Credit cards included. It had been there for sometime, since there was moss growing from it😊. She handed it in to the pottery lady, who said it was her Mum's. She guessed that maybe their little dog had taken it to hide a while ago. 😂
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| The wood turning man called his business Area 51, after his house number. |
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| As we were leaving, these WCC cyclists arrived. Clare, Russel and Paul. I knew from hubby that a club ride was visiting the Arts trail today, planning to visit 9 venues! |
Downhill now.... and up again, to Binfield Heath, and to the Tepee at the Bottle and Glass, where Gill knew one of potters who were exhibiting. (this was all pottery here)
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| Orchard Close Garden entrance. The back garden wraps all around the house, so bigger than it first appeared. |
The first artist had set up a large resin water feature, that looked like it had been there forever.
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| This garden studio belonged to the owner, who designs Jewelery. A few cards taken by ladies for future reference, since she offers remodeling of old pieces. |
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| Loved the silvery foliage of this Cardoon plant, with Honesty peaking through. |
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| More art in the tent. The lady top left had some wonderful metalwork animals, made with mesh. Very imaginative. Price guide £300 upwards. |
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| Tucked around the side, the "cafe in the garden", but we hoped for more choice at our next stop. |
From the cul de sac, a good pedestrian cut through to the Reading Road, emerging opposite Shiplake College.
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| The Arts Trail entrance in this building at the college, which almost backed on to the Thames. |
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| Another building off to our right. |
Priority was a drink and food. There were a few different small pieces of cake. The idea was just to give a donation for Thames Valley hospice, so I had 2 small pieces of cakes, and gave a £10 donation. I was hungry. Amy had planned ahead and brought some lunch with her. We sat in this rather grand room, relaxing and chatting whilst having our refreshments.
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| Some lovely glass work amongst the art on exhibit here. |
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| Cars out of the way as we left. |
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| We left the college to cross the main road once more into the pedestrian link, therefore avoiding the A4155. (nice view of the Rape crop opposite) |
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| A steep downhill, which funnily enough turned into a steep uphill! |
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| Flat once more, and we continued to join the tarmac of the road which joins Woodland Avenue. |
Big downhill on Woodlands Avenue to Harpsden, and soon our next venue of a church hall, just off Vicarage Road. (we regularly pass this way on our rides.) The hall was down an unmade up road to the side. Some of us bought another drink and a small cake, for £1.50. (I gave them £3 this time!)
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| Sacred Heart church hall. |
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| I chatted to this lady, who was elderly but still working. Nice glass pieces. |
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| She said her banner was a small section of a large window she has created. |
The mosaic was was unfortunately quite basic, as Amy is now very skilled at mosaic work and has been teaching a few of today's riders. I just realised that there were supposed to be hand made bags here to, but I didnt see them.
Rose was keen to do one more venue, which her friend who lives in Henley had told her about. She showed me the link to the venue...... which was where we actually were anyway. 😂
The forecast showing possible thunder storms at 4pm, and it was now about 3.30. Time to head for home. No rain came, infact it turned out to be a beautiful afternoon, as we climbed " Flower Pot Hill", to Crazies Hill, and back via Warren Row to WSL, and Hurst.
Gill left us in Hurst and the rest back to Cantley over the motorways, as we clocked up almost 40 miles. Home at 4.45. Well done everyone. Lots of lovely thank you messages via Whats app, for a grand day out. A savoury lunch option somewhere would have been better, so need to plan for that next time. A large lump of cheese when I got home to keep me going until dinner. 😉
(My hubby rode 52 miles today and home by 2pm).
