Chiltern Meanders

A quick (by my standards) there and back to Stoke Row to enjoy a sausage baguette from Stoke Row Stores. My first outing in a while with my road bike. map of route

A 3 mile circular walk starting at the end of The Warren in Reading. This walk was slightly disappointing as the paths run between fences so there was no where to sit down and drink our coffee. The signs in the woodland made it very clear that we would not be welcome. However it is a pleasant enough walk, convenient to get to. map of route   Mapeldurham House in the distance

A 3.5 mile (total) route from Checkendon Church to the coffee bar at Blue Tin Produce. Very hilly but very pretty. The coffee bar offers homemade cake as well as sausage rolls and soup. The farm shop is also on site. Check opening times if you go there - not open every day. Parking at Checkendon cricket ground, coordinates: 51.542073, -1.042888 http://www.bluetinproduce.co.uk/ Map of route

Took advantage of a free day for a longer (40 mile) bike ride. Followed National Cycle Route 5 from Reading to the outskirts of Oxford (Redbridge park & ride car park). From Reading up, up, up to Stoke Row and Checkendon then first stop at Blue Tin Produce Coffee Bar. Down to Wallingford (convenient public toilets!). A road closed meant a bit of a diversion onto a main road then there was a climb up to Wittenham Clumps where I walked up a very impressive hill fort to eat my lunch. There must be views all around for 10 miles plus. Down again and a nice traffic free Sustrans route into Didcot.  Parts of the route through Didcot were quite grotty though - past the sewage works and through industrial estates. Another time I would do a short stretch of the A4130 to bypass it. Nice and flat from Didcot to Abingdon although pretty windy. I stopped in Abingdon to buy a coffee and doughnut. Unfortunately after having them I left my phone on the bench. Although I realised within a minute...

3.5 mile walk. Currently the pub in question - the Bottle and Glass is serving coffee from a converted horse box in the mornings. In the afternoons & evenings the 'Burger Barn' is open for meals. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll from Harpsden to Binfield Heath, having a good stare at the (very) posh houses on the way. You could also just park at the Bottle and Glass and walk in the woods. https://www.bottleandglassinn.com/ Map of route Parking in a lay-by in a turning off Woodlands Road, coordinates 51.518962,-0.906785 Walked with Tony 02/05/2021

Unfortunately you have to pay to access this walk at Cliveden (unless you are a National Trust member). We parked in the woodland carpark and walked up to the house, with a detour to the round garden, which I'd never come across before despite numerous visits. map of route Walked with Tony 30/04/2021

Fabulous views on this 20 mile ride in the sunshine from Caversham bridge, through Goring Heath, Goring and Whitchurch. Bluebells in full bloom too. There are a couple of cafes in Goring but as they were busy I bought a picnic to eat by the river Map of route Rode 25/04/2021   Perfect spot for a picnic I think it's OK to walk up a hill when steps are provided. (Not that I don't walk up other hills)