On the 10th March, 15 members of the Westbury Walkers group, led by Mike & Liz Self, set off from White Sheet Hill Nature reserve car park located to the north of Mere to battle against the winds on an eight mile circular walk.
Heading westerly the route passed the site where a Dakota plane crashed at the end of WW11, having just taken off from Zeals airstrip with the loss of all passengers & crew.
Taking a more southerly direction the group headed over level fields before crossing the busy A303 and rising up onto Long Hill. This steep sided ridge, grazed by goats, borders the north side of Mere and culminates in the site of an old ruined castle.
Leaving Mere and crossing back over the A303 a steady climb with views to Stourhead House and Alfred’s Tower in the far distance tested members’ ability to remain upright as the strong winds swirled over the hillside.
Continuing further north a lunch spot was eventually found with some wind protection and then passing through a couple of farms the route took the group up to the top of White Sheet Hill before descending down the track to welcoming site of the car park.
Nature gave the group its best including a hail storm but did forget to supply the rain!
If you would like more information on the walking club, please email westbury.walkers.uk@gmail.com
