The Ridgeway: Day 3 – Wantage to Wallingford (19.8 miles*)
Wednesday 15 November 2023
I will start today with a thank-you to all those new to my Blog – I have had several ‘new-follower alerts’ in the last few days – and also to those who have been reading my musings for a while. Thank you also for all of your comments on my journey; these are much appreciated as motivation for my exertions, especially during the rain showers.
Well, it wasn’t actually 3.00 am when I awoke this morning, but my seven o’clock alarm did indeed feel rather premature as I nursed my reluctant aching limbs out of bed. And, I fully accept, for those familiar with my song title heading above, that my mission today was entirely voluntary, unlike the subject of Paul Simon’s 1964 ode to a fugitive fleeing the law. I do, after all, undertake these endurance walks for fun!
As a nation we are so fortunate to have such an extensive network of footpaths, dedicated by law and for the most part respected by users. Not every country enjoys such a privilege, and I recall a friend who moved to Australia saying that nearly all of their outdoors beyond the cities was either private land or hostile wilderness. Additionally we have our ten English National Parks and 46 AONBs (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), two of which latter, the North Wessex Downs AONB and the Chiltern Hills AONB provide the backdrop to the majority of the Ridgeway path. Through many of these protected parts of our island run many National Trails – there are 16 at the last count, including the Ridgeway – and I can certainly vouch for the clear and consistent ‘Acorn’ logo signposting.
The Ridgeway National Trail extends to around 87 miles and was dedicated in 1973 – so it was (unknowingly) appropriate for me to choose this year of its 50th anniversary to enjoy all that the path has to offer. Along much of its length the path is reserved not just for walkers, but also for cyclists, horse riders and, on its ‘green lane’ sections, also for two and four-wheeled motor vehicles, subject to seasonal limitations.
All of this activity does lead to some rutted and some boggy and churned up stretches not best suited for walkers, but these are bearable and (to me anyway), and they become part of the challenge. Here is the story of my day, as I left the Downs for the Thames Valley.
A fabulous walking day was completed by the fine hospitality on offer from Jim at The Town Arms. The Ridgeway requires a detour of a mile or so to get into Wallingford, but the town is worth the diversion, and I hope to return one day to walk the Thames Path, another of our National Trails.
* Distances: just as a footnote, the mileages stated in my headings are my total ‘boots on’ walking distances for the day; they exclude morning and evening wanders but include the sections of my trek required to get to the start of my daily Ridgeway walk, and in getting from the trail to my evening destination. So, for example, today’s 19.8 miles comprises 18.3 ‘Ridgeway miles’ (according to my OS map plots) and the 1.5 miles into Wallingford in getting me from the Ridgeway path. It is likely that my actual distance walked slightly exceeds these figures, on account of short diversions to look at various ‘wayside wonders’ and for taking photos, etc – as well as in the evasion of the many deep puddles and boggy areas!
Walking for Fun, Challenge and Charity! 