Back on The Ridgeway for the first time in 2020 ! Been a whole host of reasons for the delay, not least illness on all parties involved and atrocious weather. It was a bit of an effort to remember where the last walk had actually finished
We started on the other side of our old friend 'Liddington Castle' The weather was much clearer today affording a better view of the site mentioned in my previous blog
The weather on the way down was mixed with some very heavy showers The forecast though was encouraging but still the chance of a shower or too.
It was only a short walk from the car parking space to get on to The Ridgeway , always prefer to get on it early really.
There was some very nasty black cloud quickly moving our way , thankfully we only caught the edge. I was particularly grateful not to have to unpack all the waterproof gear.
Looking to our right we had views of Swindon in the distance. The track was particularly rutted and with all the recent rain very muddy.
A path cut across The Ridgeway leading to 'Upper Upham' one way and you guessed it Lower Upham' the other . I find things like that mildly amusing. I chuckled to myself at the irony.
Another prominent landmark is the Radio mast at the 'Snap Crossroads'.
We avoided the first turn off to Ogbourne St George thankfully.The mud was horrendous although there was a particularly nice view of the Golf Course.
Our route took us around the Village of Ogbourne St George, rather than through it.
The name refers to the River 'Og' and the Church of St George. We are about 3 miles north of Marlborough, Wilts.
There isn't much to see in the village , but apparently there is a pub somewhere.
Its a pretty little village though and we actually walk past the old Manor House. This was built on the site of a Benedictine Priory dating back to 1149.
The house is Jacobean and the date 1619 is inscribed on one of its chimney stacks.
From there we cut through the churchyard, another Grade 11 listed building of possible Norman origin.
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| Church of St George -Ogbourne St George |
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The footbridge over the River Og was just about passable but was flooded. The River rises near the hamlet of Draycot Foliat and flows through Ogbourne St George , Ogbourne St Andrew and Ogbourne Maizey , where it joins the River Kennet.
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| Quagmire by the bridge |
I may have forgotten to report that we had three dogs in tow with us today. All impeccably behaved I'm pleased to report. As well as being flooded , the footbridge was also rotten and sinking fast.
I quick cut across a relatively dry by comparison field, took us on to the cycle or walking route along the now disused Chiseldon and Marlborough Railway line.
The path starts in Marlborough where you cross the River Kennet and head into the countryside. Passing through the pretty villages of Ogbourne St Andrew and Ogbourne St George before finishing at Chiseldon.
Its about 15 miles in total and nice and easy for cycling and walking. We follow the path all the ay back to where we left the car. A very enjoyable walk and now just two legs left to complete our quest of walking The Ridgeway.
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