4 of the Monday club free today, with Linda sadly still suffering with neck pain when riding. We met Daphne and Dave at Riseley and it was a perfect 20ish degrees with a gentle breeze... at last . We've had no rain for ages, and the garden is really suffering now with the intense record breaking heatwave of last week.
Route Link screenshot at end
Heading down to skirt the edges of Stratfield Saye, we rode into Bramley on Folly Lane and Olivers Lane to cross the railbridge. The countryside all a bit tired looking and mid green this time of year, but some colourful poppies as we waited at 3 way lights in Bramley. (which have been here for months!)
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| Downhill passing NT The Vine and straight on into Sherbourne St John |
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| Two tone Lavender planting as we come into Sherbourne St John, to pick up the track to pass the pond. |
John and Dave were just ahead and saw mother duck and her chicks walking along the path, but they disappeared before I saw them. But a Heron was spotted at the far end of the pond, and just as I got my camera, it flew off before I was ready.😂
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| Heron on the move, before I got my focus sorted, but then it landed. |
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| The water not looking its best today. |
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| At the pond. |
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| Pretty light today on "the log". |
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| Always great reflections too . |
We doglegged over the busy Aldermaston Road and through Monk Sherbourne heading a little uphill to Charter Alley, where we had a brief stop to feed the goats.
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| Daphne not keen to feed them, but John did. |
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| Not forgetting the Alpaca. Johns had to be convinced that it wouldn't eat him 😂 |
A tempting glimpse of the shop where we will have coffee, but not until we have done a few more miles and approached from the opposite direction.
A little loop of right turns now on Baughurst Road, turning off into Shaw Road and Rimes Lane, all very quiet lanes, which join into Church Brook then Church Lane to the familiar St Peter's church. John stopped to chat to the Vicar, who told him a little about the history of the church. A funeral was due to take place in half an hour, and he invited us in for look, since the church is normally locked. It's only used now for Christenings, weddings and funerals, and if left unlocked, sadly it had become a known destination for drug use.
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| The church is Grade I listedd |
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| A chance to look inside. The beams had come from ships timbers. |
A few minutes later we arrived back into Charter Alley, and sat outside for our refreshments.
Then a nice downhill on Pamber Road, passing this very colourful garden. I pressed the red button on my camera by mistake, and it started to record video, then I couldn't stop it. Very strange. I had to pull out the battery to turn it off. So this photo a bit rushed in the end, and not in focus. The red flowers are Monarda.
Back across the busy Aldermaston Road once more, and on Bramley Road we ignored the left turn to Little London, continuing all the way to Bramley Corner, eventually passing The Barn.
A couple of figures of 8 now back around Strafield Saye, and finally up Barge Lane to Bull Lane. (newly resurfaced).
A very pleasant temperature today for our fairly flat ride. Nice to see everyone, as this will be our last Monday ride for a few weeks due to holidays. I know! More holidays!! Disgraceful 😅
