Day 4 - Family Pit Stop

Court Hill (near Wantage) to Streatley

Guidebook distance 14 miles / 22.5 Km.

From phone: 35991 steps, 17.6 miles / 28.32 Km!

Sorry I did not get chance to post this yesterday, I met Kelly and the kids in Streatley and I simply ran out of time.

Anyway, here it is:

I woke to an overcast sky and it started to rain just as I was about to pack my tent away. Luckily though it was only a quick shower and my tent almost fully dried out while I had my breakfast and coffee.

Not so many ancient sites today but I did pass an impressive monument to Baron Wantage (1832 - 1901).

I also started to see a lot more 'Private Property, Keep out!" signs. It makes me sad to think how resistant we are in this country to wild camping. Sadly, this is partly due to those who don't have any idea about the "leave no trace" ethos. They just leave their litter and cheap camping gear for others to dispose of.

A more pleasing thing was to see the work that Oxford University are doing to reintroduce native wild flowers to stretches of the Ridgeway.

Around lunchtime I bumped into the old couple who helped me find my lost hat yesterday. They were pleased to hear that it was still there and that I found it. They also told me how much they were enjoying seeing all the Red Kites I the area. As they seemed pretty clued up on theirs birds I asked them to help me identify the little birds that had been providing a lovely soundtrack toy walk. It turns out that they are Skylarks.

As a I was walking in the wind again, I came up with a great name for the little pixie Ciara gave me to carry on Hadrian's Wall. I decided to call her Wind Dancer and when the wind is blowing I can hear her jingling. I find it quite comforting as where she is attached to my pack I can't actually see her!

I had a nice surprise as I passed under the A34, the tunnel had a cool mural I instead of the usual graffiti.

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Have never before in my life seen a cat crossing, today I saw 2!

As I was nearing Streatley, I really felt as though I was leaving the Wild Ridgeway behind me.

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But then I saw a hare running past me as I had a quick break and a bit later on I saw my first bluebell of spring.

Just after I joined the road into Streatley, I saw Kelly and the kids driving towards me. They had seen signs for the Ridgeway and taken a chance and followed it.

They shouted to me to meet at The Bull, which was just a bit further on.

We all met up in the car park and it was great to get hugs from them and I was really ready for a pint. Unfortunately the pub was closed for a bit of refurbishment, so I had to wait until we went out for a meal together later.