tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post615734297693625414..comments2024-03-29T12:30:31.492+00:00Comments on SWC - This Week's Walks: Good Friday - Pewsey Vale, Marlborough Downs and some bluebell woods: Pewsey Circular [Late Start]Andrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11395064086819994526noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-81876012818519059622019-04-19T23:11:28.729+01:002019-04-19T23:11:28.729+01:00n=17 walkers off the train, incl. 2 first-timers a...n=17 walkers off the train, incl. 2 first-timers attracted to the SWC/this walk through our Meetup feed, in w=sunny-warm-with-a-cooling-breeze weather. 2 took both shortcuts, 1 just the afternoon one, the rest walked the main walk route. <br />The last two outings of this walk had seen snow drifts (03/18) and torrential rain (05/16), so this was the day to average out the longterm trend, as it was a perfect day for walking. The train was packed with staycationers, but most if not all of us had reservations, and the rest found seats. After ascending the ridge, we had bright yellow rape oilseed fields below (although later others were still part-green), large pastures swathed in dandelions, an alley of celandines and several impressive bluebell woods, with carpets of healthy looking tall bluebells, unlike the wilting sorry ones I had seen in the Southeast over the last few walks. Maybe they had more rain out there? Later we had verges of white bluebells and even some very purple looking ones (but were they bluebells, asks the amateur?). The gorse was in bloom, the views were far, the breeze cooled us down a wee bit.<br />Picnic was had where we caught up with the two morning shortcutters, on a grass bank on the ridge. Skylarks were larking, later a paraglider was seen. The Iron Age and other prehistoric features were admired, all the optional tops were ascended without prompting (the first group to do that) and back in the Vale the Saxon Church and the 1,700 years old yew tree at Alton Priors were viewed. <br />We got to the Honeystreet Mill Cafe in good time before they closed, and apart from the staff being a bit rushed off their feet at the end of a busy day, this is an impressive cafe, large and with good outdoor space by the canal and a decent selection of cakes, ice cream and drinks (even some local ales). <br />The long canal ending came in handy as the sun had taken its toll, and the various bits of the group got to Pewsey with about an hour to spare before the 19.29 train. The Royal Oak and the Shed Alehouse were the preferred outlets to quench the inevitable thirst. Some got reinforcements for the train journey home from the SPAR next door to the Shed... <br />A rather faultless day. Thomas Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01298846868417688062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13665817.post-58532338048586202042019-02-12T21:32:26.664+00:002019-02-12T21:32:26.664+00:00Two advance singles BZ6-Pewsey with SRC Outbound £...Two advance singles BZ6-Pewsey with SRC Outbound £7.60 <br />Return (19.29 allowing time for dinner) £6.25Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com