Day 136 - Sherfield on Loddon

Jane enjoying the warm
temperatures

With Phil having to give a lecture to a PhD seminar in Winchester on a Friday, we had a great opportunity to visit with our friends Jane and Trevor who live in the Hampshire village of Sherfield on Lodden. 

Jane greeted us at the Basingstoke train station, where Phil caught the next available train on to Winchester. Gloriously sunny day, so he was in no rush, and actually seemed to be relishing the chance to enjoy the uphill walk to Winchester University. 

Jane took me to a lovely garden centre near to her village where we enjoyed lunch in the very sunny gazebo section looking out onto lovely lawn. The sun was so bright, we actually began getting a tad warm. Just the kind of problem one wants to have mid-February!

After popping into Jane's house to say hello to the Major (Trevor), we were soon off on a walk around the surrounding countryside...not wanting to let any of the beautiful sunshine go to waste. 

The name Sherfield on Loddon comes from the old English ‘Scira feld,’ which means ‘bright open land’ on the banks of the River Loddon. The village has kept that meaning to heart, positioning home around large, green open spaces where villages meet when walking their dogs or passing through to get to the local shop or village hall. Jane, of course, knows everyone and every dog, and greets them all with enthusiasm. 

We passed by Sherfield School, a private school for boys and girls from ages 4 to 18. Their main building is called Buckfield, a beautiful Grade ll listed Victorian manor house.  The original manor on the site was gifted by King Henry ll to marshal William Fitz Aldelin. The manor passed between various noble families, including the Marquis of Winchester and the Duke of Wellington. It certainly looks like a lovely place to go to school.

From here we walked around and then across the Sherfield Oaks golf course...and yes, people were out playing.

Making our way across Sherfield Oaks golf course,
 with its two 18-hole courses.

House in the village

Back through the village, where Jane stopped at the local shop to pick up lemon drizzle cake...the perfect accompaniment for a cup of tea while we waited for Phil to return. As luck would have it, the professor Phil was meeting with in Winchester also lived in this village, so he managed to be back just in time for the taxi that was picking us up to take us to dinner.

Jane had booked us a table at an Italian restaurant called Mama Mia in the town of Hartley Wintney. Of course the food was delicious, so we ate too much and had to wash it down with a couple of bottles of Pino Grigio.

Needless to say, we all slept well.