The Ridgeway - from Overton Hill, Wilts to Ivinghoe Beacon, Bucks

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Day 1 - Overton Hill near Avebury, Wilts to Fox Hill near Bishopstone, a distance of about 16.5 miles. Walking along the ridge the views that we had been promised in the guide book were obscured by the thick mist and damp conditions. The walk, which was mainly along the ridge passed through Barbury Castle and Liddington Castle (both formerley Iron Age Forts). No point in taking any photographs as weather too inclement

Day 2 - Fox Hill to Bury Down, near West and East Isley, a distance of about 17.5 miles. Again a day of ridge walking but with the weather improving during the day. We stopped at Wayland's Smithy, a Neolithic long barrow and shortly after that passed Uffington Castle, another Iron Age Fort, and its famous Uffington White Horse. The castle and horse were both obscured by the the mist that descended as we approached. We also passed Segsbury Camp or some call it Letcombe Castle and you will have guessed it another Iron Age Fort.

Day 3 Bury Down to Nuffield, near Wallingford, a distance of 17 miles. This is where The Ridgeway changes character for after Streatley and Goring the walk is mainly through woodlands, fields and a stretch of 5 miles alongside the bank of the Thames. Lunch at The Bull at Streatley which made a change from eating our sandwiches sheltering from the winds on the ridge

Day 4 Nuffield to Princes Risborough, a distance of 16.5 miles. A relatively easy walk across fields, tracks and through woods with a noisy interuption as we walked under the M40. Towards the end of the walk we passed the massive and impressive chalk pits that had previously provided excavated material for the Chinnor Cement and Lime Works and which had now ceased production.

Day 5 Princes Risborough to Ivinghoe Beacon. Another miserable day as far as the weather was concerned. The mist was down and once again we were deprived of the spectacular views promised in the guide book. We walked pass the entrance to Chequers but the house was lost in the mist. The final ascent to the beacon at the end of our walk was to be the crescendo with marvellous views all round. This was not to be so. After taking photos we retreated so as to avoid the wind and the swirling mist .

We have promised ourselves that we will return when the weather gets better so as to capture those spectacular views we missed.

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Photos

Wayland's Smithy
We stopped at this impressive Long Barrow for a break

Bridge over The Thames
One of Brunel's railway bridges over The Thames that we passed under near to Goring

Clive at Goring Bridge
Just before a welcome break at a pub for lunch

Autumn Colours
A mat of autumn leaves being typical of the walk through the numerous woods

The entrance to Chequers
Shrouded in mist

John at Ivinghoe Beacon
The end of the walk

Comments

[George]

Hey!
Looks quite misty! Those gates at chequers look like they're begging to be climbed over, wouldn't want to find out what the consequences would be though. Loving the autumnal colours. xx