Eighteen walkers set off on a 9 mile walk from Avebury car park led by Pippa Clarke just as the sun began to break through the light cloud.
Jackets were soon removed as they climbed the Wessex Ridgeway in rising heat and on reaching the ridge were very glad of the slight breeze.
Walking along the ridgeway afforded extensive views in all directions accompanied by the skylarks which were clearly also enjoying the fine weather. Turning off the ridgeway the group crossed a couple of fields, stopping to watch a hare as they rounded a tumulus and entered a narrow path between hedges, which afforded no breeze and much sun!
Along here were spotted a yellow hammer, chaff-inches, chiff chaff, and both orange tipped and brimstone butterflies, not to mention the distinctive sound of a cuckoo. After a welcome stop for lunch the walkers made their way to Winterbourne Monkton, skirting the village before climbing up to Windmill Hill.
Another brief stop to admire yet another wonderful view before descending back into Avebury, feeling very blessed to have enjoyed beautiful countryside in such perfect weather.
