Ridgeway: Ogbourne St George to Ashbury

 

Good breakfast at my guesthouse (too big actually) and once again, I sallied forth with all my jackets and stuff  on, only to have to take a coat off because I was too hot. It’s just because I’m moving though. 

Cute schoolkids’ mural as I left the village

I stopped a couple of times today as I knew I had loads of time. The first time was because I saw my first bench of the trip, overlooking a wide and distant view down across the Wessex downs, including several different murmurations of birds in the distance. Very peaceful. 

The bench

I called Mum and then also spoke to Dad briefly. He fell over yesterday getting off the exercise bike and bruised his ribs. Also had a long chat with Jane as had not spoken to her since she got back from several very happy months in NZ.

Crossing the M4

Sprays of hawthorn blossom everywhere

Very level and mostly wide path today, I wore my trainers but the soles of my feet still got quite sore by the end. I think it’s partly because because my rucksack is quite heavy and the feet feel it. My toe got really bad towards the end and I think it’s going to end up limiting what I can do. 

Relieved to arrive at my hostelry

Tomorrow should be OK but I can’t see the toe withstanding 17 miles on Sunday. It feels really bruised. However, I can’t see much in the way of villages on the Ridgeway between Wantage (where I’m staying tomorrow night) and Goring, where I was going to stay at the YHA. Might have to regroup and rethink tomorrow night, depending how the day goes. I curse myself for not taking better preventative measures, and wonder what this means for C2C. A solution must be found.  Anyway, it was a pleasant and way walk today, lots of little birds flitting across the path between hedges, lots of birdsong. The play I’m staying at is nice. When I got to Ashbury I went to the one local cafe and had some soup and bought a toothbrush there as well. Then back to the room for a shower and I’ve been reclining in my room since about 3 o’clock. Nice. Cancelled my dinner reservation and am just eating some of the bread and cheese I’ve been endlessly carrying around.