An Amesbury Adventure

The river Avon at same height as footpath

I passed the pub later than I expected. Smoke poured into the spittle of rain that encouraged me to stop and rest my feet, and I might have listened, had I not wasted 40 minutes getting lost. I soldiered on into the ever darkening sky to reach my car before dark, my better judgement howling in my ear. That's when the heavens opened...

After rattling on about wolves in the by gone days of Wild Spirit, I decided it was time for a new adventure, a challenge, something I could sink my teeth into, and rested on...

...hiking in England.

That's not to say it's not been a challenge. I completed Three Peaks in June after plenty of warm up walks in the Peak District and often like to stop en-route to try local ales and take pictures. My latest walk, however, did not offer much time to stop and smell the roses.

I started in Amesbury, a small town off the A303 on the way to Stonehenge. I over-shot the tiny lane to the recreation center but eventually found the car-park as indicated in my Wiltshire walker's guide. I often use such books to explore new areas as the routes are clearly laid out and easy to follow. Or so I thought.

I took the books advice to follow a sign to the near by village of Durnford, not realizing it led in a completely different direction to the provided map. After encountering a rather bemused farmer, I turned back to discover the correct sign hidden in the bushes. Ah. What's worse, on following the sign, I discovered my detour led within a-stones-throw of the right path, and I needn't of gone back.

A picturesque farmhouse near Durnford

Despite the false start, the walk led past Normanton Down House and up to views over Stonehenge. It was completely flooded in sections. One area of marshland was at the same level as the adjoining river Avon, and later, a brave Horse Rider attempted to lead her companion over a waterlogged bridle path. How glad I chose my trusty Wild Spirit work-boots over my old leaky ones.

I made good time in the end, completing the six and a half miles in the advised three hours, which, if we include the 40 minute detour isn't half bad. I do wish I'd taken it a bit slower and popped in to explore the local ales on offer at the quaint looking Black Horse in Durnford, and taken a few more snaps. It wasn't bad for a wet November walk, though next time checking both map and weather reports might make it slightly more enjoyable.