A gray day with rain and UXB proximity

He said:
Cheers!
Today was our walk from Devizes to Littleton Panell, 11 miles continuing along the up and down hill theme we will soon grow used to. In the mean time, we are just footsore and a bit soggy after our 3rd day of walking. It was a gray, windy and wet day, adding drama and some discomfort to our first walk near the Salisbury Plain Military area. This is where they do artillery and other bomb/military related practice.
Royal artillery
The ridge that we walked along is adjacent to the practice area, and is perhaps 50 miles (as the crow flies) from Stonehenge, which is also part of Salisbury Plain.
We have noticed how few markers there are for the Wessex Ridgeway path we are following, this makes it hard sometimes to find the way among the many choices leading in many directions. Because of this, we walked an extra mile or so today.... that reminds me, I need to stretch again.


She said:
A few last words about Devizes:
Delicious breakfast at Rosemundy Cottage - everything homemade and locally sourced - fresh as fresh can be. A wonderful B+B with friendly and helpful hosts.
Gray all day today. Misty showers in the morning and a few good downpours in the afternoon. Thankful for Goretex. Today was a slog... more of a day to "get through" rather than to enjoy. Still, always something interesting -
Found ourselves in a field of teenage cows - from previous walks we know their MO (or, MOO?). They are way more curious than adult cows and will walk on over to you until you start walking on over to them - then they freak out and run away. Cute and comical.
As R mentioned, the waymarks along the path were scarce. We came upon a tiny village and a small group of people heading towards their little village hall - asked them for directions and they obliged (though each had his/her own opinions and versions of where we should go.) They were going to a "wine and nibbles" event thanking all villagers who had participated in an annual Scarecrow event (photo will explain.)
Also came upon a conservation group at the edge of the military training range - they were counting hawks and owls. Four guys in a Range Rover with thermoses and sandwiches.
Skirting the giant military base on Salisbury Plain was a big drag as the road was paved and that's tough on the feet after a few miles.
At about 3 p.m.I had my first meltdown of the trip (I'm sure there'll be more.) I was wet and tired and hungry. R knew best, so we stopped in the middle of a field and ate our excellent packed lunches from Rosemundy Cottage. The dessert of lemon cake was outstanding and did the trick. I fairly flew through the field and sailed into our B+B for the night - Summerhayes.
We walked to the local grocer and brought back food and wine and finished our day on a high note.
Devizes to Littleton Panell - 11 miles
Wrong turns now and again - 1 mile
Cheers -
EB

May 16 Photos