Shirley and I left the wedding venue at around 6.30pm with Little Phoebe in order to bathe her and get her to bed at a suitable time. I did not consume any alcohol as I had agreed to return to the venue at midnight in order to pick up mummy and daddy. Taxis are very expensive in that neck of the woods as there are no local firms.
Besides, I really didn't mind because I was looking forward to a long country walk on Sunday morning and it is always nice to be clear-headed when out rambling.
I set off from Tisbury soon after nine o'clock - not requiring Clint's vehicular services. What a joy it was to be out on a beautiful June morning in unfamiliar territory plodding some nine or ten miles before my circuitous route was complete.
I saw many things and felt a rush of contentment as I strolled along. There were no other walkers around and some of the paths were obviously rarely trodden. I had to keep my inbuilt satnav switched on to avoid wrong turns or unnecessary detours.
The walk left me with one regret. I passed the wooded slopes of Castle Ditches Fort but made no attempt to reach the upper plateau area which happens to be private land these days.. With a forty minute diversion I know I could have found my way up there. Castle Ditches was an Iron Age hill fort - probably constructed around 1200BC - long after Silbury Hill - but still an important ancient site. A great deal of labour must have gone into enhancing the natural defensive qualities of that hill - with ditches and encircling embankments. So many stories are concealed at Castle Ditches - never to be related.
I walked back into the Airbnb at one thirty. Frances, Stew and Phoebe had already left , heading north with Charlotte who had stayed in a different village. After a rest and some refreshment Shirley and I headed out to Fonthill House for the remainder of the afternoon. I may blog about that tomorrow.
A fine Sunday morning in June in such beautiful surroundings, and with a clear head to start a country walk - that takes some beating! You seemingly had all this wonderfulness to yourself, and for nine or ten miles, too.
ReplyDeleteI know that rush of contentment very well from some of my own walks.
To some people walking miles is like a punishment but to me it is an absolute joy - especially as I know that a day will come when I won't be able to walk like this.
DeleteSame here, Neil, same here.
DeleteI love the shot of the orchid and also Old Wardour Castle. How great that you could get out for such a long walk. I haven't been on a long walk in ages. If only this school year would END!
ReplyDeleteI hoped you would like the orchid Steve. Perhaps like Groundhog Day - the school year will never end!
DeleteAnother interesting hike and another wrecked castle. So each little village had a rich person living in a local castle who was served by the villagers? Eventually, the rich ran out of money or died off and the castle was left to fall into ruin? Or a better, bigger castle was built and the old just abandoned? Now they are such great places to hike and explore! Ready for fun imaginary adventures...
ReplyDeleteNot EVERY village had a castle by a long way Ellen but your theory certainly has some relevance.
Delete"Plodding some nine or ten miles" through gorgeous countryside has me envious. I can barely make a mile before needing to pee and even in the city public facilities are few and far between, in the suburbs where I live there are none except at local shopping centres. In the countryside I'd have to squat behind a lot of trees. A LOT!
ReplyDeleteIf you needed to squat you would have to avoid nettles!
DeleteI think that castle would be a good do-er upper , just needs a lick of paint.
ReplyDeleteI bet Lord Peregrine could sort it out over a weekend.
DeleteI envy your solitary walks. Sadly I feel too nervous to do that these days.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that. Perhaps you should consider disguising yourself as a man with a flat cap, false beard and a tendency to fart like a steam ship's hooter.
DeleteI never tire of looking at old castles, older than our country.
ReplyDeleteMany English people just take our history for granted instead of marvelling at it.
DeleteIt sounds like a lovely wedding and the photos of the countryside are beautiful. You walked a half marathon, that's a looooong walk. Doubt I could do that.
ReplyDeleteThat photo of Antsy looks bucolic. Who ever thought I would use that in a sentence but it seems like the perfect word.
I musty confess that I am a bucoholic.
DeleteAnother beautiful walk in a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteWiltshire seems like a different country - just a four hour drive away. I wish I could have walked some more.
DeleteVery picturesque.
ReplyDeleteIt all looks lovely, and that font is most unusual.
ReplyDelete