The first walk of the year with my walking partner, Mervyn. He had kindly developed a circular walk starting to the west of the delightful Wiltshire town of Ramsbury at the rather prosiaic Axbury Pumping Station (marked as S).
We start along the narrow road which followed Sound Bottom and was soon delighted to see my first Snowdrops of the year.
After a while we took a path on the left which led south to reveal a fine vista across the fields and then passed a pleasing red brick house ...
... and along a lane to skirt a rather imposing Georgian (or more probably Georgian-style) house.
We followed the path down to Stichcombe and after crossing the Kennet we had an informative chat with a couple who were clearly very familiar with the area, pointing out to us Little Egrets and other wildlife.
We passed Cowleaze Cottage and followed the border of Ramsbury Manor Park. According to Wikipedia it belongs to the Capricorn Foundation, a trust which has the task of maintaining the house as a museum and cultural resource for the nation. It dates from the 1680s.
The best views were of the beautiful lake with the House beyond it ...
... and then the gates on the other side of the grounds.
The final section was rather arduous as we had to follow White's Hill for a mile or so. This is the main road from Ramsbury and has no footpath. Fortunately, we made it OK.
Overall, a delightful walk of about 8 miles.
