WLCG Mattingley to Upton Grey - 26 miles

With 4 of us free today, we went in the van to Mattingley to start our ride.  A cool start, with jackets on  (apart from Lynne).

Route Link

Initially through Rotherwick, we then dropped down from Newnam X Roads, then the left turn into Pot Lane and Waterer Lane to dash over the A30, where we stopped to see a lora lora goats, which probably belong to Miller's Ark Animals. 

We were chatting about the fact we wouldnt mind cycling past sheep, but not keen on cattle.  About 2 minutes later, a truck driver told us to watch out ahead, as they were moving cattle !!!!  We climbed over the M3, and two men with small sticks were in the middle of the road, looking into the field on our left.  There were a dozen or so young frisky cows who were determined NOT to cross the road into the opposite field 😂.  We waited a few minutes, then with the cattle all heading away from the gate, we were given the ok to come past.  Goodness know how long it would have taken them to get those cattle moved. They seemed clueless. 

Waiting for the all clear to proceed once the cattle "herders" 
had given up. 

From Mapledurwell, a gradual climb now to towards Tunworth, where we stopped at the bench, and then at the Old School weather vane. 

Tumworth. Beautiful day and warm now. 

The sun catching the old school house weathervane, which I flipped 
since the blackboard numbers were the wrong way round 😅
(and now the E sign is the wrong way).

Down to the X Roads, and Lynne went on a ahead with another climb coming. Its very gradual until the last little bit, to the view at the top at Weston Corbett. 

Taken by Louise. 

A wonderful downhill follows to the junction at The Street, all the way down into Upton Grey.

We sat outside on the yellow chairs. This side section
has been newly laid since I was last there, providing many more seats. 

Lynne had not been to the Upton Grey Shop before.  We chatted to a couple of ladies just as we were leaving, who were very impressed that we were cycling up some hills. 😎  I mentioned Upton Grey Manor Garden (Gertude Jekyl Garden), and one told me that it has now closed for good. The owners are in their 80's and quite frail now.   I am so glad I went a couple of times over the last 3 years.

Our route now went back to the almost empty pond, and we turned left, to join Ford Lane, stopping at the first junction where this field has intrigued me before.  Have they left some wildlife corridors?

Ford Lane junction. 

Continuing straight on, we soon cross over the B3349 Odiham/Alton Road, and a slight descent as we pass RAF Odiham on our left.   As we arrive into Long Sutton, a turn left into Wood Hill Lane, winding downhill to join Long Lane into Odiham.

As we arrived into Odiham High Street, Martina announced that she now knew where she was. 😇 We continued downhill to the Canal, under the road tunnel and then about 3/4 of a mile on the  Odiham Road, before the quiet Totters lane, going under the M3.

A cheeky little uphill on Totters Lane to get over the railway. 

 

A dash across the busy A30 at Murrell Green then into Borough Court Road, around the back of West Green Gardens. Almost back, as we arrived  in the opposite direction, at Mattingley Church. 

 

The pretty cottage next to Mattingley Church, but the tree not 
looking very healthy after a very hot, dry summer.