Wantage to Goring
After getting transport back up to the Ridgeway, I was ready to set off. The sun was out and there was a light wind, making it perfect walking weather.
Setting off at just gone 8am, the trail was really quiet; just me walking along, with the birds flying at my side. It felt secretive, like it was my own little section of the trail to experience just by myself.
As time moved on, it slowly got busier and I passed the Lord Wantage Monument. It stood really proud, with beautiful views either side.
The trail turned into a lovely grassy track, which was nice underfoot and had beautiful views to the left of me.
I was soon at Bury Down Car park where I paused for a snack and waited for Hattie. Whilst waiting, I got to watch a beautiful red kite sparing above me. Then a man turned up and released over 40 pigeons from the back of his transit van! It was definitely not something that I expected, but it was amazing to watch them all leave and fly off at the same time!
Today I was joined for an hour or so by my friend Hattie. We went to sixth form together and haven’t seen each other for so long! It was so nice to catch up. So nice that we both were so busy chatting that we missed the turning and had to retrace our steps at one point! We swapped badges, then it was time for Hattie to go back and I continued on my way into Berkshire. I’d left Oxfordshire and made my way into another county – 5 counties down.
For the afternoon, I swapped expanding views for rolling hills either side of me. It was lovely and calming as I walked along.
Along this section of the Ridgeway they had an art trail, called Ridgeway 50 Photos. Different photographers have taken photos of the Ridgeway and they are displaying at different points along the route. It was really interesting to read about the inspiration behind each photo and how the history of the Ridgeway had influenced each one.
I then passed Streatley Warren, which had an information board all about the history of farming along the Ridgeway. The Ridgeway has so much history along it. I’ve passed stone circles and Neolithic monuments, but it has also been an important trade route in its time!
It warmed up in the afternoon, and I took the opportunity to rest under a tree to cool down!
After that, I pushed on into Streatley where I crossed the River Thames, before making it into Goring.
I finished in Goring and was picked up by Tom. I’m staying with Tom and Kate for a couple of nights, whilst I have a rest day tomorrow. Kate and I have been through our Girlguiding L3 walking and Mountain Leader qualifications together. It will be so lovely to catch up and spend a day together.
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