Tuesday 16 October 2007

Backpackers Club Wiltshire weekend

The weekend was very good with a turnout of seventeen members. The weather was kind for the time of year, quite warm, especially on Sunday, and no rain. The first night was spent at a farm site in Mildenhall, just outside Marlborough. The walk on Saturday was to the next night's halt at Wilcot, a distance of sixteen miles although not everyone followed the same route. Mine took me to Avebury to see the ancient stone circle. Whilst there, I met someone I used to work with whom I hadn't seen for about 27 years - amazing. The camp that night was adjacent to a pub, the Golden Crown. The available loos left a lot to be desired but the beer was excellent.

The walk back to Mildenhall on Sunday was about eleven miles, starting along the Kennet & Avon Canal. I caught up with a few of the others having a coffee in a pub garden and we then parted company, they to continue along the canal towards the village of Wootton Rivers and me to head away from the canal towards higher ground, passing over Giant's Grave and then dropping down to a green lane eventually leading to Savernake Forest. I then cut through the forest for a couple of miles and then it was only a mile or two back to the farm site of Saturday night. All in all, a good weekend. The next one is in November somewhere on Dartmoor.

Tuesday 9 October 2007

Backpackers Club

Having joined the Club earlier this year, I thought I ought to see what their weekend meets are like. I'm planning to go on their Wiltshire meet next weekend, possibly the last camping trip until Spring next year (unless I'm really brave). Will report on the weekend shortly.