Today chose to go west to Hartlebury so I could visit Whitlenge Gardens. It is actually a Garden Centre but it’s more like a Botanical gardens with different themes. The fact that you can buy plants and all else you need is almost incidental.
Setting off west is so nice because you can soon get away from busy roads by going up Jiggins Lane towards Bartley Green Reservoir. Then plenty of up and down until Chaddesley Corbett where, as you can see, I thought they might be celebrating my kind of bike. From here the roads are especially quiet and pretty: I had to wiggle around a lot to avoid the A road, but all was worth it when I reached the lovely gardens. I wished I had bought my heavy duty lock as I could have lingered around a bit more.
On the way I noticed that my meter showed that I was under my planned mileage, so I went through Bromsgrove and headed off due west down Walnut lane. I followed this by another west turn up London Lane – which is a real treat for anyone who likes steep hills, but that’s not me.
And Oh No! – nearing Cofton Hacket I began to hear a dreaded noise: flick – flack: Yes! I had a puncture. I limped back by constantly pumping up the tyre but how relieved I felt to be nearly home. Never mind – the Birmingham Bike Foundry fixed it while I waited.
I will upload maps at some point – just as soon as I can untangle my Garmin.
LEJoG 82 