After lunch with the Bs at Datchet, six of us set off for Jordans Youth Hostel, via the Jubilee River cycle track to Maidenhead, then heading north on the A4094, noting the blue plaque for Richard Dimbleby at Boulter's Lock. The cafe at Cookham was closed but fortunately the local supermarket had a hot drinks machine. Onwards to Bourne End where we briefly took to the lanes before being obliged to use the A355 and a short stretch of the A40 before returning to lanes leading to the Hostel. The warden, Nicola, remembered one of us from a previous visit a few years ago. Jordans is a self-catering Hostel, but Nicola kindly volunteered to drive to fairly nearby fish and chip and Chinese restaurants which was much appreciated. Also at the Hostel was a French family, celebrating a birthday. They shared some delicious home-made quince, orange and other jams with us.
Thursday started fine and after a 0930ish start we headed towards Beaconsfield, turning off on the outskirts to ride through Hall Barn Estate which has a wonderful wooden building at the entrance, several statues in the grounds and also a fine main house. Vic hopes to return to take photos. We arrived at the pub at Little Marlow dripping, but soon were enjoying a hot drink. It was fine when we left, and soon after a little off-roading we were passing through Marlow en route to lunch at Fingest (venue for a C and M lunch soon) via Chisbridge Cross, Frieth and past Tony's sister's former house. After lunch we saw Turville Hill windmill on our route to Christmas Common, where from the top of the escarpment there is a good view of Oxfordshire (on a clear day!). Red kites are quite common here. We then headed south-westish to Nuffield thence to Stoke Row and the Maharajah's Well followed by an easy run through Woodcote and Goring to Streatley, Vic managing the last few yards with a rapidly deflating front tube. Our hopes of a pub meal were dashed - The Bull at Streatley was closed for refurbishment but warden Nick provided a very good meal at the Hostel.
Friday also started fine - our chosen route was briefly on the A329 to Pangbourne then over the toll bridge (bikes free) to Whitchurch and the slightly bumpy, muddy bridleway to Mapledurham where the surface was concrete. Cake and coffee was available at Caversham, the end of the bridleway. After joining the Thames path south of Caversham bridge we kept off-road to Sonning, heading for Waltham St Lawrence and lunch (venue for C and M lunch last Sunday). Our homeward route was via the peanut roundabout, Windsor Great Park to Egham where we went our separate ways, encountering a few more showers.
Thanks to Vic and Tony for local knowledge - it was a great help - pity about the showers but they're not so bad when you share them with friends !
Terry
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