Ben the Outdoorsman has made one of his not entirely frequent appearances.The Sarsen Trail is an annual 26-mile walk from Avebury to Stonehenge, with the option of bailing out after 11 miles and getting a coach back to Avebury, which is what we always do. The first half is anyway the most fun as it takes you across the Wansdyke and over the highest point in Wiltshire with some stunning views, then down onto the flat farmland with some pretty villages to walk through before the final triumphant ascent of Redhorn Hill – 80m straight up in what feels like a similar distance horizontally. After that, apparently, it’s all flat roads.
It’s a significant event for us as ’twas this bank holiday three years ago that my new family met my old family for the first time. Three years ago the 11 miles took well over four hours, more like five, dragging a whinging 11 year old behind us. Two years ago it was more like four on the dot, accompanied by a chatting 12 year old all the way. Last year’s was cancelled due to illness of a 13 year old; this year the 14 year old disappeared into the distance after Avebury, doing the course in 3 hours flat while we caught up with him 40 minutes later.
Earlier in the day a senior male relative had done that stretch in the same time, by fixing his eyes on a nineteen year old female fellow walker who stayed just in front of him for the entire journey. Maybe she was trying to get away from him. I’m not sure if the Boy used the same trick or if he was just motivated by a desire to get away from us, but one way or another we’re all pretty pleased.
i once did a 20-mile walk with some friends of mine and it was one of the most fun days i've ever had. i died afterwards, but it was so much fun. walking's lovely, i'm glad you enjoy it too! :)
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