11th April 2015 - Wantage, Uffington White Horse, Stonehenge

After last nights poor experience at the campsite, we moved on early. Into Wantage again for some shopping, couldn't resist going back a second day! Market was on today, with some great fresh veg and fruit bargains to be had. Didn't manage to walk up to the White Horse yesterday as it was just too hot for the lads. It's a shame now, as I remember the Ridgeway, it was rutted, and looked like an ancient track. You could imagine the old carts trundling down it, or the Romans cursing the ruts as they marched. Now it's all been flattened in parts, to make it more "user friendly" which in my mind takes away the whole atmosphere, and just makes it another chalk track. 

    Parked up near the Ridgeway, turn opposite road into Compton Beauchamp, takes you right up to the top. Good place for a Wild Camp, although not tried it this time. Lovely walk up to the White Horse, again lovely sunshine, also a real strong breeze to blow the cobwebs away! 

  Uffington Hill Fort, off Ridgeway, near White Horse 

  White Horse looking down over St George's Mount. 

No one is really sure why the White Horse is there. Lots of theories, ceremonial, fertility, offering to the gods, but it can definitely be seen from above better than on the ground! The hill fort has amazing views, and you can see why it was built there. Your enemies would have hard job creeping up on you. St George's mount is said to be where St George slayed the Dragon, but I'm not sure about that myth!! 

    Leaving the White Horse behind, we moved on to another landmark, Stonehenge. Personally I think it's way too commercialised now. I do understand they get hundreds, even thousands of tourists, but all these huge visitor centres, and "experiences' just ruin these places, in my opinion. These were obviously sacred places in their past, and should be treated as such, rather than amusements parks. 

   Wild Camp in a layby, getting used to this now, and lads take it in their stride. Even getting quite attached to the better ones!!