It had
been a while since I last took to the mainland alone, so I planned a special
day trip away, but word got out (as it does) and soon I was joined by 3, day
trip hungry friends!
We crossed to Lymington and took the Ornamental Forest Drive from Brokenhurst
to Stoney Cross, onto Downton, Salisbury and Wilton.
East on the A30, baring right onto the B3089, turning right at Dinton and
riding over the splendid downs to Wylye, turning left and stopping at a lovely
pub in Stockton for coffee.
Then on to Upton Lovell to a Triumph specialist for some service parts, (love
your bike).
We then made our way accross the military areas to Devizes via Codford, Chitterne
and Tilshead. Devizes is the home of Caen Hill locks, on the Kennet and Avon
canal.
A system of 29 locks, (see pics), built in 1810 and recently fully restored.
An impressive site alongside the A361 but accessed on the B3101, picnic parking
signposted.
By now our relaxed pace had put us later than scheduled and lunch was overdue,
so north onto the A342 and turning left at Sandy Lane to Lacock.
On the A350, opposite Lacok is Whitehall Garden Centre, a great venue for
a good choice of food. Refreshed there, we headed up the A350 and turned west
on the A420 and splitting off on the B4039 to Castle Coombe. Adequate parking,
a short walk from the village centre, is offered, but being an optomist, (or
lazy), we rode through the village to the bottom, turned around and rode back.
Fortunately, on the return, a handy 4 bike parking space appeared so we were
able to walk about the village centre with ease.
This is one of England`s finest old weavers village, well worth your time
if you are nearby.
From here we returned near to our lunch venue, turning off for the village
of Lacock and it`s abbey, another, "time fogot" place of interest
which is used at times for period film sets, with plenty of parking and interesting
old cottages. (see pics).
By now it was late afternoon, so we headed for the A342 to return to Devizes
and stayed on this great downs route to Upavon, Everleigh to join the A338
south, turning off east for Thruxton.
We picked up the B3084 to Grately, turning left to pass Danebury Hill to Stockbridge,
where we took "tea" at the White Hart, under the evening sun.
Chasing the sunset we took to the A3057 through the villages of the lush Test
Valley to Romsey and the A3090 to Cadnam, thus avoiding the busy M27, from
here to the waiting 1945hrs ferry to Yarmouth. Another good day out on choice
roads with little traffic, interesting stops and friends to enjoy time with.
Steve
Langford.