15.2 miles, 8-14 centigrade.
Today started at Bedwyn rail station and i set off west along the kennet and avon canal tow path, this took me past the steam pumping station at Crofton and over the tunnel at Savernake, the canal was mighty busy with the frantic paddling of canoes which i was informed were in a training race ready for the big one to London that takes place each year.
Upon reaching Burbage wharf i turned north for a short bit of busy main road then turned west again on an old Marlborough rail line (there were two side by side due to rail companies not sharing), it was a bit of a climb up onto the old embankment then a delight to walk on the overgrown track bed, soon hat gate reserve was reached.
Here i joined the mid wilts way and what a perfect track it proved, nice underfoot and with the sun trying to break through the over cast sky raising temperature enough for all species early butterflies to be seen, plenty of bird song and a wood pecker knocking out a tune!. Thus i approached Martinsell hill home to the remains of a neolithic fort and a handy bench seat to enjoy my pork pie and drink, following the high ground west led to another high point trig stone above a hollow called the giant’s grave, this high point has steep drops on three sides and was rather spectacular.
A steep decent to the south of Oare village put me on the white horse trail which i followed south across farm land to a bridge over the canal and another under the railway, the white horse trail continues across the east side of Pewsey on small streets then on towards Southcott which is as pretty as anyone can imagine, plenty of thatched cottages, a pub a steam and peppered with spring colour. Today i had noticed larch trees which gain bright green needles and bright red/pink flowers emerging. From southcott i took the bridle path south to Pewsey hill, then worked my way west to the chalk horse before returning to Pewsey on the white horse trail to pewsey where i found a shop that sold tea, as usual the problem with chalk horses being on such steep slopes flying would be the best way to get a good image of it.
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