WLCG Crazies Hill to Turville Heath via Turville - 30 miles

 I was keen to do another Beech Tree ride today, and once more started at Crazies Hill this time with the Woosehill Ladies. 4 of us free today, so we all went in the van. A similar day to yesterday around 8 degrees and not much prospect of sunshine. But there were occasional glimmers, to help with the luminosity of the leaves. 

A little bit of light in the sky, as we left Crazies Hill

Garmin route screenshot at end

Handlebar shot, as we leave Crazies Hill

A bit of chaos with the 3 way lights at the end of the lane, to join the main Henley Road. We thought a lorry had stopped on the left, and not until we rode past him that we noticed a red light!  We jumped the Q but got away with it.😃

heading down Aston Lane

Aston Lane

This spectacular Beech as we arrived in Aston Village. I stopped
to use my camera, and sods law a huge truck arrived behind me, so I was
rushed, and then he blocked the road in front of me.😌

heading to cross the Thames.


Jeanette and Lynne had stopped to watch Cormorants on the posts


To Hambleden Valley road now, through the village and to Bottom Lane.

Views from Bottom Lane


heading around the bend to rejoin the main valley road,
all the way to Skirmett, where we turn left to Turville

A nice little downhill into Turville.
Flat light today through Turville


Lynne and Jeanette pass as I stop for a photo.

Leaving Turville to climb Holloway Lane.
Not done this for ages.... can we do it?
Here comes the climb. Lynne ahead at this point.
Jeanette ahead on her ebike, and me on my own now,
with the others following. 

The top was closer than I thought! Not so bad as I remember. 😊

A couple of cars went down, and not long after, Lynne and Martina appeared.   WELL DONE!! Martina not been on bike for a few weeks. A bit of a hard ride today at times. 

😇😇😇😇😇



We are up Holloway Lane, but climbing continues all the way to Christmas Common, but much more gradual. Then we turn left, to pass the Christmas Barn. We could have dropped down Pishill here, to Stonor but instead took the turn to Russell's Water.





some unusual coloured ducks cross the road from the pond.





These horse riders came along as we had stopped at the vineyard.
They had been a few times to do some tastings... on their horses!

The BIG downhill soon to drop into Stonor Valley almost opposite the house. Jeanette said she had not done this before.




Stopping for a car part way down, and a view across to Stonor Park.

Having dropped into the valley, we now  dogleg to climb out again, to our coffee stop at The Ploughmans Pitstop at The Barn at Turville Heath. 

Balhams Lane to Turville Heath

Jsanette and Lynne ahead. I chatted to Martina, until we saved our breath!


At the coffee stop, Jeanette was turning back with the news that it was closed!!! I had checked their website yesterday. Grrr😖



We could have made our way to the Vineyard at Southend, but decided to drop back down Balhams Lane, all the way down Stonor Valley and to Henley Rugby Club cafe, called Menza. Plenty indoor seating, and a hot lunch.



3 of us had a delicious Goulash made by the Hungarian Chef. 
Martina chose a Breakfast wrap , which she also enjoyed. 

Taking by our waiter. Table service with a smile. He was
very attentive. I'm back with Breeze again on Wednesday.
The ladies insisted on buying my lunch as petrol contribution. Thanks.

Nearly back. Across Henley bridge, Remenham Lane, up Aston Lane and we are there. Almost 3 o'clock! 😂

Thanks all for your company and hope you are not toooo worn out.