Walking down into Avebury with the stones in sight – one of the moments of the walk I’ve been really looking forward to. Being blown by a strong wind but at least it’s drying me after a tough wet day. Exhilarating walking up on the Ridgeway but we’ve been heading into the rain and I know it’s had an effect on me, heaven knows about the others but I hope they’re not cursing me! Great lunch stop at the Inn With The Well in Ogbourne St George which opened just for us – many thanks to them! We set off for the afternoon in high spirits but the rain has taken a toll. We stopped at Barbary Castle – a huge hill fort. The Ridgeway itself is slippery underfoot, you can see the wear and tear from four-wheel drives – there’s a constant battle between walkers and riders and the mechanised brigade for this space which is precious to all of us. Twenty people strung out behind us, due in the Red Lion shortly and very much looking forward to it!

A tough but exhilarating second day, following the Ridgeway from Goring all the way to the White Horse at Uffington in bright sunny weather under high clouds. Terrific views, even though Didcot power station came in sight more often than we wanted! One highlight was the arrival at the white horse and for a few moments standing close to this emblematic hill carving and trying to make sense of its history and its shape, and how it was made to scale and to be so visible from far off. Another highlight: the hare that trotted down the Ridgeway towards us and sat cleaning herself before disappearing into the barley. The red kites were also much in evidence. This is a lonely and dramatic landscape to be found right in the heart of our crowded island. A great walk topped only by an amazing night. We managed to feature in three pubs in Wantage! We stayed in the Bear. We played a classic folk rock gig in the packed Swan. And we drank great beer and ate wonderful food in the pub of the year so far, the Shoulder of Mutton, run by a terrific host, Peter. We will be back.

Sun shining!? Leaving Nettlebed to get to Goring to start one of the bigger days of the week. Brain a bit scrambled from a tense first night for me – 7 new songs and a band coming together live for the first time . Rowan’s voice and Benji’s presence added that extra dimension that a first night needed, and with everyone having walked (including a good part of the audience) there was a real sense of achievement at the end of a wet, muddy but enjoyable first day. Benji’s rendition of Jimi Hendrix ‘s Voodoo Chile on banjo will live in the memory, and Rowan’s solo acapella “Miners Lullaby” was one of those magic moments.